Feature: ROG Xbox Ally X: 6-Month Review - A Handheld I’ve Been Using In Unexpected Ways
The ASUS ROG Xbox Ally X has proven to be an unexpectedly essential gaming device six months after the reviewer acquired it in October 2025. Initially purchased with the expectation that it would function similarly to their primary Xbox Series X console—with occasional dips into Steam and other PC platforms—the handheld has instead carved out an entirely different role in their gaming habits. Six months into ownership, as of April 2026, the way the device is being used has diverged significantly from initial assumptions. While the ROG Ally X has not replaced the Xbox Series X as a primary console, it has become arguably the reviewer’s most important gaming system overall. The shift in usage patterns stems from unexpected applications the device has found in their gaming lifestyle—uses that weren’t anticipated when the device first arrived. This suggests that gaming handhelds can find unique positions in a player’s collection based on real-world utility rather than simply being portable versions of home console experiences.