Review: Asus ROG Xbox Ally X20: The OLED Upgrade We’ve Been Waiting For - At A Cost

The Asus ROG Xbox Ally X20 has officially launched as the first major upgrade to the ROG Xbox Ally X handheld released last year. The centerpiece upgrade is a new OLED display that’s larger and brighter than the original IPS panel, delivering superior contrast and black levels comparable to the Nintendo Switch OLED generational leap.

Beyond the display, the X20 introduces several refinements including upgraded TMR thumbsticks, an improved cooling system, MicroSD Express compatibility, redesigned Impulse triggers with independent rumble capabilities, and an adjustable D-Pad. The OLED screen features a 0.2-millisecond response time. The device launches as a limited-edition 20th anniversary model in black and gold styling.

The upgrade carries a substantial price increase—a $300 USD/£400 GBP premium over the original ROG Xbox Ally X, with deluxe bundles including XR glasses reaching $2,499. Reviewers acknowledge this pricing significantly limits the device’s audience, noting the value proposition depends heavily on how much users prioritize OLED display quality. While critics uniformly praise the screen as genuinely transformative and the overall refinements in thermals and software smoothness, they emphasize that the premium positioning means the X20 appeals primarily to enthusiasts willing to pay for display quality and incremental improvements over the existing model.

Sources

• Review: Asus ROG Xbox Ally X20: The OLED Upgrade We’ve Been Waiting For - At A Cost
• Xbox Ally X 20 vs Xbox Ally X: A wickedly bright OLED screen and frosty temps make for a begrudgingly attractive upgrade for the Asus handheld
• Asus ROG Xbox Ally X20 review
• The Reviews Are Flooding In For The ROG Xbox Ally X20
• I opened ASUS’ gigantic $2,499 ROG Xbox Ally X20 Pelican case, and there’s a lot to unpack, literally