Asus has taken another step in the handheld gaming market. The company has officially announced the upgraded ROG Xbox Ally X20 for the holiday season. The device has an OLED display, TMR joysticks, and support for AR glasses.
The changes come at a time when portable gaming systems are becoming more popular. Players now expect better screens, longer battery life, and smoother gameplay from devices they can carry anywhere. The Ally X20 appears to be Asus’ answer to those demands.
The first thing that has drawn the attention during the announcement was the OLED panel. Earlier Ally models used LCD screens. The switch to OLED should improve contrast and make colors stand out more during gameplay. Additionally, the screen size has been increased from 7 inches to 7.4 inches. It now matches the size of Steam Deck while slowly progressing toward Nintendo Switch 2’s 7.9-inch display.
ASUS has also introduced TMR joysticks. Stick drift has been a common complaint among handheld users for years. The company says the new sticks are built to offer better precision and durability. The handheld still runs Windows, giving players access to multiple game stores. Xbox Game Pass, Steam, Epic Games Store, and other PC platforms are all available on a single device.
Another new feature is support for AR glasses. Instead of looking at the handheld screen, users can connect compatible glasses and play on a larger virtual display. Once players connect the glasses to the X20 hardware via USB, they will receive a 171-inch virtual screen that can either move with them or remain fixed in virtual space, as ASUS claims.
Also Read: Steam Deck vs. ASUS ROG Ally: Best handheld gaming device?
This is one of the most asked questions in the gaming community since the new handheld device was announced. Valve spent years improving the Steam Deck. The OLED version brought a better screen, improved battery life, and a smoother overall experience. It remains one of the most popular handheld gaming devices today.
The Ally X20, on the other hand, promises its own strengths. Windows support gives users more freedom. Players are not locked into a single store or ecosystem. Still, hardware alone may not decide the winner. Ease of use matters the most. Steam Deck has built a reputation for being simple to pick up and play. ASUS will need to match that experience while keeping its flexibility.
Gamers have been talking about a dedicated Xbox handheld for years. Microsoft has hinted at interest in the category, but no first-party device has appeared. This has opened the door for companies like ASUS.
The Ally X20 carries Xbox branding, works with Game Pass, and looks increasingly close to what many players imagine an Xbox portable should be. Whether Microsoft eventually launches its own device remains unclear.
For now, ASUS is doing something important. It is giving Xbox fans a handheld option while the official one remains a rumor. This alone could help the Ally X20 stand out in a crowded market.