The Xbox ROG Ally Is Great Hardware With One Big Problem

Xbox fans have been asking for a portable console for decades. Nintendo had the DS, PlayStation had the PSP and Vita — and Xbox… had Windows Phones with Xbox Live. Now, in 2026, we finally have a portable Xbox. The Xbox ROG Ally. It looks like an Xbox. It feels incredible in the hands. Performance is surprisingly good. Battery life is better than expected. Ergonomically, this might be the most comfortable handheld gaming device ever made. So why is the reaction so mixed? In this video, I break down: – The hardware design and why it’s so comfortable – Screen quality and why OLED really matters on handhelds – Real-world performance vs Steam Deck, Switch 2, and the original ROG Ally – Battery life and thermals – The biggest problem: Windows and the lack of a true console experience – Who this handheld is actually for Despite the Xbox branding, this doesn’t feel like a console in the way people expect. In fact, the Steam Deck arguably delivers a more “Xbox-like” experience than Xbox’s own handheld. If you want a console-style handheld, there are better options. If you want a very comfortable Windows-based portable that can play most PC games well, the Xbox ROG Ally might make sense. Thanks to ASUS Australia for sending this unit in for review. If you enjoy in-depth tech reviews and handheld gaming content, consider subscribing — I’m aiming to hit 100,000 subscribers this year. Let me know in the comments: would you buy this, or would you choose a Steam Deck instead? https://linktr.ee/davisfang Insta: https://www.instagram.com/davisfangtech Twitter: https://twitter.com/davis_fang TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@davisfangtech Website: https://davisfang.com