ASUS now sells three ROG Xbox Ally handhelds side by side, and the newest, the ROG Xbox Ally X20, went on sale October 15, 2026 at $1,299 for the standalone unit, after pre-orders opened August 25, 2026. That puts a $599 Ally, a $999 Ally X and a $1,299 X20 on the same shelf. ASUS said the X20 joins the existing lineup instead of replacing it, so none of the three is a clearance item.
That creates a real buying puzzle. Until mid-October, the choice was simple: Ally for budget, Ally X for power. Now there is a third rung with an OLED screen, a 20th-anniversary design and a price that matches the freshly launched Acer Predator Atlas 8. If you only want the launch pricing story, our earlier piece explains why the X20 costs $300 more for OLED. This guide asks the harder question: which rung is the best handheld console for the way you actually play?
We compare the three ASUS models on price steps, display, battery, software and availability, then measure each against the two October 2026 arrivals that matter most: the Atlas 8 and the MSI Claw 8 EX AI+. Every figure comes from ASUS, Acer and MSI pages, Xbox Wire, or the reviewers named in the text. Where a number rests on a single report, we say so. Where the sources go quiet, we write analysis and skip the numbers.
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Quick Answer: Which ROG Xbox Ally Should You Buy?
Short version for readers in a hurry. The right rung depends on whether you care more about the screen, the sticker price or the Windows library you already own. The three models share a platform, so game compatibility is not the deciding factor. Money and display are.
- Pick the ROG Xbox Ally ($599) if you want the lowest official entry price into Windows handheld gaming and you mostly play lighter or older titles.
- Pick the ROG Xbox Ally X ($999) if you want the higher-performance existing model and do not need OLED. It costs $999 against $599 for the base Ally, so the step up is a real one.
- Pick the ROG Xbox Ally X20 ($1,299) if the 7.4-inch OLED panel, the newer controls and the anniversary design matter to you. It costs $300 more than the Ally X, a 30.0% step.
- Look at the Acer Predator Atlas 8 ($1,299.99 reported) if you prefer an 8-inch screen and Intel graphics at the same money as the X20.
- Look at the MSI Claw 8 EX AI+ only if you can find one in stock, because several MSI regional stores listed it as unavailable or backordered this month.
The takeaway: the Ally X is the value pick, the X20 is the screen pick, and the base Ally is the budget pick. The rest of this article explains why, with the numbers to back each call.
The ROG Xbox Ally Lineup on October 24, 2026
Microsoft and ASUS launched the first two handhelds in October 2025, and Xbox announced both as available to buy later that month. Those were the ROG Xbox Ally (model RC73YA) and the ROG Xbox Ally X (model RC73XA). On August 25, 2026 ASUS opened pre-orders for a third model, the ROG Xbox Ally X20 (model RC74XA), at the same prices it charges today. Retail availability followed on October 15, 2026.
ASUS describes the X20 as a 20th-anniversary flagship built with Xbox. In its October 15 announcement, the company stated that the original Ally and Ally X stay on sale at their original MSRPs of $599 and $999. No ASUS page we reviewed shows a rename, retirement or discontinuation of either older model. So today a shopper can legitimately buy any of the three new, directly from ASUS.
One naming quirk is worth flagging. ASUS styles the product as ROG XBOX Ally X20 in its press release and on its product pages, while most outlets write Xbox in ordinary capitalization. They mean the same device. This article uses the common spelling, and the ASUS model number RC74XA when precision matters.
| Item | ROG Xbox Ally | ROG Xbox Ally X | ROG Xbox Ally X20 |
|---|---|---|---|
| ASUS model number | RC73YA | RC73XA | RC74XA |
| Model year on ASUS listing | 2025 | 2025 | 2026 |
| Original US price | $599 MSRP | $999 MSRP | $1,299 ($1,299.99 on ASUS US store) |
| Sold new per ASUS (Oct 15, 2026) | Yes | Yes | Yes, on sale since Oct 15, 2026 |
| Price step over the rung below | Entry point | $599 to $999 | $999 to $1,299 |
| OLED display | No (X20 is the series first, per ASUS) | No (X20 is the series first, per ASUS) | Yes, 7.4-inch |
| Premium bundle | Not in sources reviewed | Not in sources reviewed | $2,499 with XREAL glasses and cases |
| Retirement notice | None found | None found | Not applicable |
The table reflects what ASUS and Xbox have published. It deliberately leaves out processor and battery rows for the two older models, because the ASUS pages in our source set restated those specs only for the X20. If you are comparing the Ally and Ally X on chip and battery, read the ASUS spec sheets directly before you buy.
Specs Table: ROG Xbox Ally X20 vs Atlas 8 vs Claw 8 EX AI+
The X20 does not live in a vacuum. Acer’s Predator Atlas 8 was reported as available in the United States through Best Buy, and MSI’s French store listed the Claw 8 EX AI+ in September. The Atlas 8 uses Intel’s Arc G3 Extreme platform while ASUS stays with AMD’s Ryzen AI Z2 Extreme. Here is how the three flagships line up using the listings we could confirm.
| Spec | ROG Xbox Ally X20 | Acer Predator Atlas 8 | MSI Claw 8 EX AI+ |
|---|---|---|---|
| Model number | RC74XA | PA08-I51 | CG3EM (Arc G3 Extreme) |
| Processor platform | AMD Ryzen AI Z2 Extreme | Intel Arc G-Series (Arc G3 Extreme or Arc G3) | Intel Arc G3 Extreme, 14 cores and 14 threads, up to 4.7 GHz |
| Display size and type | 7.4-inch OLED | 8-inch IPS-level | 8-inch IPS-level |
| Resolution | 1920 x 1080 | 1920 x 1200 (16:10) | 1920 x 1200 |
| Refresh rate | Up to 120 Hz | 120 Hz with VRR | 48 to 120 Hz VRR |
| Brightness | 600 nits typical, 1,400 nits HDR peak | 500 nits peak | 500 nits typical |
| Color gamut | HDR OLED (Nebula HDR) | 100% sRGB | 100% sRGB |
| Memory | 24 GB LPDDR5X | Up to 24 GB LPDDR5X-7467 | Up to 32 GB LPDDR5X |
| Storage | 1 TB PCIe 4.0 NVMe | Varies by region and SKU | 1 TB or 2 TB depending on SKU |
| Battery | 80 Wh | Up to 80 Wh | 80 Wh, four-cell |
| Ports | 1 x USB4 (Thunderbolt 4 compatible), 1 x USB 3.2 Gen 2 | 2 x Thunderbolt 4 | 2 x Thunderbolt 4 |
| Card reader | microSD Express | UHS-II microSD, up to SD 4.0 | Not restated in sources reviewed |
| Wireless | Wi-Fi 6E, Bluetooth 5.4 | Wi-Fi 7 (Killer BE1775s), Bluetooth 5.4 | Multi-gigabit Wi-Fi, 5.8 Gbps peak, 320 MHz channels |
| Operating system | Windows 11 | Windows 11 Home | Windows 11, Copilot+ PC |
| NPU | Ryzen AI platform, TOPS figure not stated | Not stated | Up to 46 NPU TOPS |
| US launch price | $1,299 ($1,299.99 ASUS store) | $1,299.99 (reported Best Buy launch price) | No US MSRP confirmed in sources reviewed |
Three things jump out. First, all three list an 80 Wh class battery, so runtime differences will come from the screen and chip, not from pack size. Second, the Atlas 8 and Claw 8 EX AI+ both use two Thunderbolt 4 ports, which gives docking and external GPU fans more room than the X20’s one USB4 port plus one USB 3.2 Gen 2 port. Third, the X20 is the only one with an OLED panel, and it also runs the smallest screen of the trio.
How the Rivals Fit the ASUS Ladder
Acer positions the Atlas 8 as its first Predator-branded handheld and a higher-end alternative to the ROG Xbox Ally family. If you want the direct duel, read our Predator Atlas 8 head-to-head with the X20. Acer’s official page also advertises a dual-fan design that includes a Predator AeroBlade metal fan, which Acer says moves up to 10% more air than a standard plastic fan under identical test conditions.
The MSI side has its own story. For a model-by-model look at the Intel option that competes with ASUS on availability trouble as much as on specs, see our comparison of the ROG Xbox Ally X20 against the MSI Claw 8 EX AI+. MSI also sells an older Claw 8 AI+ and a Claw 7 AI+, so shoppers should match the full product name and the suffix (CG3EM or CG3MX) before paying.
Price Ladder: What Each Step Up Costs
Prices tell the cleanest story in this lineup, because ASUS published all of them in the same October 15 announcement. The Ally at $599 and Ally X at $999 are original MSRPs that ASUS said remain in force. The X20 lands at $1,299, or $1,299.99 on the ASUS US store page. A bundle at $2,499 adds ROG XREAL R1 Edition 20 gaming glasses, a custom dbrand Killswitch case and a Pelican Protector Case.
| Device | US price | Step over previous rung | Percent step | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ROG Xbox Ally | $599 | Entry point | Not applicable | Original MSRP, still sold |
| ROG Xbox Ally X | $999 | +$400 | Not listed | Original MSRP, still sold |
| ROG Xbox Ally X20 | $1,299 | +$300 | +30.0% | On sale since Oct 15, 2026 |
| ROG Xbox Ally X20 bundle | $2,499 | $1,299 standalone | Not listed | Limited bundle with glasses and cases |
| Acer Predator Atlas 8 | $1,299.99 | Matches X20 store price | 0% | Reported Best Buy launch price, Oct 23 |
| MSI Claw 8 EX AI+ | No US MSRP confirmed | Not applicable | Not applicable | Listed as unavailable in several regions |
The price ladder exposes the value gap. The Ally costs $599, the Ally X $999 and the X20 $1,299. The first jump, from the Ally to the Ally X, buys a new performance tier, as ASUS and Xbox position the Ally X as the higher-performance existing model. The second jump, from the Ally X to the X20, mostly buys the display, the controls and the anniversary design. Whether that is good value depends on how much you stare at the screen.
Regional prices deviate. According to an ASUS storefront, the X20 lists at C$1,899 in Canada, though that figure comes from a single regional page and ASUS has published no universal global MSRP. MSI’s French store listed a Claw 8 EX AI+ Launch Pack at €1,799.90, although the page marked it unavailable, and the Atlas 8 reportedly starts at €1,099 in France. For the wider market context, our breakdown of handheld PC price tiers shows how far the top of the market has climbed.
Display and Design: Where the Extra $300 Goes
The X20’s headline feature is a 7.4-inch OLED panel that ASUS brands ROG Nebula HDR. The company’s own review headline calls it a series-first OLED, which tells you the older Ally and Ally X do not have one. ASUS lists the panel at 1920 x 1080, 120 Hz, 600 nits typical brightness and a 1,400 nit HDR peak. It also cites a 0.2 ms response time and an anti-reflection coating that ASUS says cuts environmental reflections by 65% compared with a standard OLED without that coating.
Those are strong numbers for a handheld, and they matter in specific situations. OLED delivers deep blacks in dark rooms, on planes and in bed. HDR peak brightness helps in games with proper HDR support. The anti-reflection claim targets commuters who play near windows. Meanwhile the 7.4-inch size is smaller than the 8-inch panels on the Atlas 8 and Claw 8 EX AI+, so you trade screen area for panel quality.
Both Intel rivals use 8-inch IPS-level panels at 1920 x 1200 with 120 Hz and variable refresh. Acer quotes 500 nits peak brightness, 100% sRGB and Corning Gorilla Glass Victus. MSI quotes 500 nits typical, 100% sRGB and a 48 to 120 Hz VRR window. The taller 16:10 aspect ratio gives more vertical room for Windows menus and launchers, which is a practical plus on a PC handheld. The X20’s 16:9 panel suits most games better but leaves less space for desktop apps.
The controls differ too. ASUS lists TMR joysticks and a transforming D-pad on the 2026 model and cites a tight 3% deadzone paired with a new algorithm. MSI promotes Hall Effect joysticks, flared grips and an upgraded metal dome D-pad on the Claw 8 EX AI+. The Atlas 8 drew praise for ergonomics, and Stuff’s reviewer wrote that “What immediately stood out to me was how naturally the Predator Atlas 8 sat in my hands.” Hand feel stays subjective, so try one in a store if you can.
Performance and Benchmarks: What Four Outlets Reported
Here is the honest state of play. As of October 24, 2026, we could not find a single set of frame-rate numbers that covers the Ally, Ally X, X20, Atlas 8 and Claw 8 EX AI+ under the same settings. The X20 went on sale nine days ago, and the Atlas 8 reached US retail yesterday. Instead of inventing a chart, we gathered what four independent outlets, one news report and the vendors have said so far.
| Source | Device covered | What it reported | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| PC Gamer | MSI Claw 8 EX AI+ CG3EM, compared with ROG Xbox Ally X | Called the Claw the best gaming handheld on almost all the metrics that count | Full review verdict |
| PCMag | Claw 8 EX AI+, Atlas 8 and a third Arc G3 model | Ranked the Claw as the most premium and sturdy, with the Atlas in the middle | Hands-on comparison |
| Tom’s Guide | Acer Predator Atlas 8 | Praised build, ergonomics, bright screen, adjustable triggers and cooling | Hands-on review |
| Stuff | Acer Predator Atlas 8 | Called it a particularly good start and praised the grip | First look |
| TechTimes | ROG Xbox Ally X and X20 | Reported an AMD FSR 4.1 preview driver on October 23, 2026 | News report |
| MSI | Claw 8 EX AI+ | Claims it can exceed 120 FPS at 1200p in some AAA scenarios | Vendor claim |
What the Reviewers Said, Word for Word
PC Gamer’s reviewer reached a strong conclusion on the Intel side of the market: “It’s clear the new MSI Claw 8 EX AI+ CG3EM is the best gaming handheld in terms of almost all the metrics that count.” That review compares the Claw against the ROG Xbox Ally X and discusses the Atlas 8. Keep in mind it is one reviewer’s verdict, and it predates the X20’s retail launch.
PCMag took a more nuanced hands-on view. Its reviewer wrote that “The MSI Claw feels the most premium and sturdy of the three, while the Atlas falls somewhere in the middle.” That is a build-quality call, not a frame-rate result, and it matters because the Claw is the model hardest to find in stock.
Tom’s Guide came away impressed with Acer’s first Predator handheld. Its reviewer said that “But with the Atlas 8, this feels like a real coming-to-power moment for them because it is a sturdy system with decent ergonomics, a nice, bright screen, adjustable triggers that can be either one-press or full analog, and good cooling with that world-first metal fan in a portable like this.” The verdict covers the Atlas 8 only, so it says nothing direct about the X20.
For a three-way read that includes the Atlas 8, Claw 8 and X20 on synthetic scores, our three-way Atlas 8, Claw 8 and X20 comparison covers that ground. The pattern across all of these sources is consistent. Reviewers rate the Intel handhelds well on cooling and build, and the market still waits for large-scale, same-settings tests of the X20.
FSR 4.1 and the Upscaling Question
One software change could narrow the gap between rungs. TechTimes reported on October 23, 2026 that a preview driver brought AMD FSR 4.1 to the ROG Xbox Ally X and X20. The outlet’s headline claims Performance mode now beats FSR 3.1 Quality. ASUS’s ROG site also carries a post saying AMD FSR Upscaling 4.1 is coming to ROG Xbox Ally handhelds in preview. Treat this as a preview feature without a formal changelog, because the secondary report does not confirm that every unit received it at the same time. If the claim holds, it helps the Ally X more than the X20, since a cheaper machine gains the most from better upscaling.
Intel Arc G3 Extreme vs Ryzen AI Z2 Extreme: What It Means for Buyers
The silicon split shapes the buying decision more than any single benchmark. ASUS built the whole ROG Xbox Ally family on AMD, and the X20 uses the Ryzen AI Z2 Extreme with 24 GB of LPDDR5X. Acer and MSI both moved to Intel’s Arc G-Series. MSI lists the Claw 8 EX AI+ chip at 14 cores and 14 threads with a 4.7 GHz maximum turbo and up to 46 NPU TOPS. Acer offers the Atlas 8 with either Arc G3 Extreme or the lower Arc G3.
For a gamer, three practical differences stand out. The first is driver maturity. AMD has years of handheld driver work behind the Ryzen Z-series, and features like FSR tend to arrive there first. Intel’s Arc G3 platform is newer, so expect fixes to land over time. The second is the shell. ASUS and Xbox describe the X20 as a Windows 11 handheld with access to Xbox libraries, and Acer’s Atlas 8 combines XBOX Mode with Windows 11. The third is configuration sprawl. These handhelds come in several configurations, and MSI’s French listing carries a CG3EM model code, so spec comparisons require checking the exact SKU.
None of this makes Intel or AMD the winner today. It means the ASUS ladder is the safer bet for anyone who values a mature software stack and a single clear SKU per price point, while the Intel pair rewards buyers who like bigger screens and two Thunderbolt 4 ports and who accept a few months of driver churn.
Battery Life, Charging and Heat
All three flagship Windows handhelds in this comparison list an 80 Wh class battery. ASUS pushes this hard on the X20, with a review headline about gaming on long train and plane trips. Acer says the Atlas 8 carries up to 80 Wh, and MSI lists a four-cell 80 Wh pack on the Claw 8 EX AI+. On paper, that levels the field. In practice, a 7.4-inch OLED at 120 Hz and an 8-inch IPS panel at 120 Hz draw different power, and an AMD chip and an Intel chip sip differently at the same wattage. Real runtime tests will settle it. None of the sources we reviewed publish a head-to-head runtime figure yet.
Charging speed is where ASUS gives a concrete number. The X20 page says a 100W adapter can charge the battery from 0% to 50% in 30 minutes. Half of an 80 Wh pack is 40 Wh, and 40 Wh in half an hour implies an average draw near 80 W, which is a useful sanity check on the claim. ASUS also says the system keeps charging while you play demanding AAA games on the plug. For travelers, that means a 30 minute coffee stop recovers roughly half a charge.
Cooling decides how long a handheld holds its performance. Acer’s dual-fan layout with a metal AeroBlade fan is the most distinctive thermal design in the trio, and Tom’s Guide singled it out as a strength. MSI’s French store page cites 9% extra airflow in the newer design. ASUS has not highlighted a fan innovation for the X20. As with battery life, we need independent thermal tests before anyone can rank the three on sustained performance.
A practical tip applies to every model: set a power profile per game instead of leaving the handheld on its highest mode. ASUS even advertises saved performance profiles as part of its Default Game Profile 2.0 feature. A lower power profile on a 60 FPS cap often saves more battery than any panel choice.
Software, Xbox Mode and Update Support
All three ASUS models run Windows 11, so your Steam, Epic, GOG and Xbox libraries all work. What sets the ROG Xbox Ally family apart is the Xbox layer on top. ASUS and Xbox describe the X20 as a Windows 11 handheld with access to your Xbox libraries and two months of Xbox Game Pass in eligible markets. Xbox’s October 15 announcement also tied the launch to an Xbox mode and a cloud playtime test for Xbox Insiders. The cited coverage does not establish a general public launch of cloud playtime, so do not buy the X20 expecting it today.
According to Xbox’s April 30, 2026 update page for the ROG Xbox Ally and ROG Xbox Ally X, those models received improved docking, a preview of Auto SR, a unified library and better vibration. That is useful for the older models. It shows Microsoft and ASUS keep shipping software to the 2025 hardware, which lowers the risk of buying an Ally or Ally X now. The Atlas 8 also runs Windows 11 and supports Xbox Game Pass, so the software gap between the ASUS and Acer units is smaller than the hardware gap.
Long-term support deserves a line. An ASUS X20 listing states a security update support period of five years, until December 31, 2030. We did not find the same statement for the older models in our source set, so confirm that before you buy an Ally or Ally X if you plan to keep it past 2028. Windows handhelds also depend on driver updates from AMD and Intel, and the Intel Arc G3 platform is brand new, so early drivers may improve noticeably over the next few months.
MSI markets the Claw 8 EX AI+ as a Copilot+ PC with up to 46 NPU TOPS. MSI also frames it as a device that works three ways: as a handheld, docked to a TV like a home console, or as a compact desktop. That AI-PC angle may matter if you plan to use the handheld for work. For pure gaming, it adds little today.
Can You Actually Buy One? Stock and Regional Reality
Specs do not matter if the shelf is empty. The availability picture in the week of October 24 splits cleanly by maker. ASUS shipped the X20 on October 15, and Windows Central reported the $1,299 handheld and the $2,499 bundle sold out at Best Buy and ASUS.com by October 20. A report on October 16 said Best Buy had stock shipping immediately, so the supply window looks short and stock likely moves in waves.
Acer’s rollout is more staggered. A report from October 23 to 24 said the Atlas 8 was available at Best Buy in the United States at a launch price of $1,299.99, and French coverage reports it from €1,099. Acer’s own announcement says pricing and availability vary by region and points buyers to local Acer offices, which is why no single global price exists.
MSI has the roughest supply story. Its official stores in Italy, Poland and France marked the Claw 8 EX AI+ as unavailable in the listings we reviewed, its Spanish store showed it sold out, and its Hong Kong store listed it as backordered. MSI Spain still sold the older Claw 8 AI+ at €1,099, which shows how a discounted previous generation can beat a flagship you cannot get. If you want a Claw, check stock before you commit to the platform.
One more caution on bundles. ASUS Indonesia ran a limited X20 bundle pre-order at Rp46,999,000 from October 16 to 30, and ASUS Malaysia reportedly capped its RM10,999 bundle at 30 units nationwide. Limited runs like these mean the $2,499 US bundle may not stay on shelves long. Buy the bundle only if you want the XREAL glasses, because the standalone unit is the same device.
Five Real-World Buying Scenarios
Abstract specs rarely settle a purchase. These five scenarios mirror situations visible in the market this month, drawn from retailer and regional announcements.
- The Best Buy shopper on launch week. A buyer who wants a flagship on October 24 can choose between a sold-out X20 and a freshly stocked Atlas 8 at $1,299.99. If the X20 returns to stock, the OLED panel decides it. If it does not, the Atlas 8 is the same-price option with a larger screen.
- The French gamer who wants Intel for less. Fnac L’Éclaireur reported the Atlas 8 on sale in France from October 19 at a starting price of €1,099. That entry price sits well below the reported €1,599.99 for the top Arc G3 Extreme configuration, so French buyers who do not need the highest SKU get the lowest cost of entry.
- The Japanese early adopter. According to ASUS Japan’s announcement, the X20 release date was October 16, with reservations opening on September 17. That timeline shows ASUS treated the X20 as a global launch, not a US exclusive.
- The Southeast Asian collector. ASUS Indonesia and Malaysia offered limited X20 bundles aimed at buyers who want the anniversary edition with glasses. This audience pays for the box contents and the exclusivity, not for any extra performance.
- The frustrated MSI fan. Several MSI stores across Europe and Hong Kong list the Claw 8 EX AI+ as unavailable or backordered. A fan who wants Intel Arc G3 Extreme right now has an easier time buying the Atlas 8.
The pattern across the five: premium handhelds sell out fast, regional prices diverge, and the best handheld console is often the one a retailer actually has in stock. Check two or three stores before you pick.
Best Handheld Console by Use Case
Here are six recommendations that map the lineup to buyer types. Each pairs a pick with the reason and the trade-off you accept.
- Best for the tightest budget: ROG Xbox Ally ($599). It is the lowest official price in the lineup and still receives Xbox software updates. You accept the lowest performance tier.
- Best overall value: ROG Xbox Ally X ($999). It costs $300 less than the X20 and ASUS positions it as the higher-performance existing model. You give up OLED.
- Best screen: ROG Xbox Ally X20 ($1,299). A 7.4-inch OLED with a 1,400 nit HDR peak is the display to beat in this group. You pay a 30.0% premium over the Ally X and accept a smaller panel than the Intel rivals.
- Best for desk and dock use: Acer Predator Atlas 8 ($1,299.99 reported). Two Thunderbolt 4 ports, Wi-Fi 7 and an 8-inch 16:10 screen suit a handheld that spends half its life plugged into a monitor. This is Acer’s first Predator-branded handheld, so long-term support is untested.
- Best for build quality fans: MSI Claw 8 EX AI+. PCMag’s reviewer called it the most premium and sturdy of three, and PC Gamer’s reviewer rated it the best on almost all metrics that count. You must find one in stock first.
- Best for gift buyers: the X20 bundle ($2,499). It packages AR glasses and two cases for someone who wants a ready-made travel kit. It costs $1,200 more than the standalone unit.
If your list is longer than three devices and includes retro hardware or cloud-streaming handhelds, our handheld gaming console list maps the whole category by price tier and device type.
Migration Guide: Moving Your Library to a New Handheld
Switching from an older Ally to the X20, or from a Steam Deck or another handheld to any Windows model, takes about an hour if you prep first. Follow these steps in order.
- Inventory what you own. List installed apps and Steam games on the old device so nothing is forgotten.
- Confirm cloud saves. Open each launcher and check that Steam Cloud, Xbox and other sync options are on. Local-only saves need a manual copy.
- Move your storage. The X20 has a microSD Express reader and the Atlas 8 has a UHS-II microSD slot, so pick a card that matches the slot. An external dock helps too.
- Sign in and update. Sign in with your Microsoft account, install pending Windows and Xbox updates, then add the drivers for the chip. Treat the FSR 4.1 preview driver as optional until ASUS publishes an official note.
- Rebuild per-game profiles. Save your power and fan settings for each game, using the saved profile features ASUS and its rivals provide.
- Test two games before you sell the old unit. Run one demanding title and one indie title, and check battery and noise.
These commands export your app list and Steam manifests. Run them in a terminal on the old device and keep the output file on a USB stick or cloud drive.
winget export -o C:\handheld-apps.json --include-versions
winget import -i C:\handheld-apps.json --accept-package-agreements --accept-source-agreements
dir "C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam\steamapps" /b | findstr appmanifestFor the first-boot checklist on the newest model, follow our step-by-step X20 setup guide. If your library outgrows the internal drive, the external SSD dock walkthrough covers extra storage for Ally-class handhelds. The X20 lists a 1 TB internal drive, so most buyers will not need it at first.
Pros and Cons of Each Handheld
ROG Xbox Ally ($599)
- Pros: Lowest official price, Xbox software updates continue, still sold new by ASUS.
- Cons: Bottom of the performance range, no OLED, and you may regret skipping the Ally X within a year.
ROG Xbox Ally X ($999)
- Pros: The best price-to-performance step in the lineup, mature software, a $300 saving over the X20, reported FSR 4.1 preview support.
- Cons: No OLED, older 2025 design, and the 2025 hardware now sits one generation behind.
ROG Xbox Ally X20 ($1,299)
- Pros: 7.4-inch OLED with a 1,400 nit HDR peak, Ryzen AI Z2 Extreme, 24 GB memory, 1 TB storage, 100W fast charging, five years of listed security support.
- Cons: A 30.0% premium over the Ally X, a smaller screen than the Intel rivals, only one USB4 port, and stock has been tight.
Acer Predator Atlas 8 and MSI Claw 8 EX AI+
- Pros: 8-inch 16:10 panels, two Thunderbolt 4 ports each, Intel Arc G3 Extreme platform, strong reviewer notes on cooling (Atlas) and build (Claw).
- Cons: Both are brand-new platforms with early drivers, regional pricing varies widely, and the Claw is hard to find in stock.
How Windows Handhelds Compare With Steam Deck OLED and Switch 2
The word console in best handheld console used to mean a closed box with its own store. Today the term covers Windows PCs too, but plenty of buyers still weigh these devices against dedicated machines. According to the makers’ own sites, the newest models on sale are the Nintendo Switch 2 and the Steam Deck OLED. We do not quote prices for either in this article because the sources we reviewed did not carry fresh figures for them.
The broad trade-off holds regardless of price. A Windows handheld like the Ally family opens every PC launcher and Game Pass, which means a bigger library and more tinkering. A Steam Deck OLED centers on Valve’s own Steam interface, and Switch 2 offers Nintendo’s first-party games with no PC overhead. For a head-to-head on the older ASUS model, see our look at the Steam Deck OLED against the ROG Xbox Ally X, or our three-way X20 against Switch 2 and Steam Deck OLED comparison.
Two Acer products are worth tracking if you shop later. According to Acer’s September 2 announcement, the Predator Atlas 7 is a compact 7-inch model that carries the Atlas 8’s performance into a smaller body, with North American availability planned for Q4 2026 and Europe from November. It has no confirmed price and has not shipped. Acer also announced the Nitro Blaze Link, a streaming-first handheld that plays games from your own PC, with a Q4 2026 plan and no price yet. Neither is a local-play rival today. For wider context on the category, browse the hardware coverage hub.
Who Should Wait Before Buying
Not every buyer should act this week. Four situations favor patience. If you want an X20 but it is sold out, a restock is more likely than a price cut, because ASUS launched at a fixed price and the bundle sold out fast. If you are eyeing the Atlas 8, wait for independent runtime and thermal tests, since Acer’s first Predator handheld has only hands-on impressions so far. If you want a compact Intel machine, the Atlas 7 is on Acer’s roadmap for later this year. And if the FSR 4.1 preview matters to you, wait for ASUS to publish an official changelog.
Buyers who should not wait are those with a broken device or a specific trip planned. The Ally and Ally X are in stock and supported, and ASUS has said both stay on sale. A $999 Ally X bought today will still be a good machine in a year.
Verdict: Pick by Price Step
Strip away the marketing and the choice comes down to three price steps. Here is the data-backed call for each.
- $599 to $999: Pay it only if you play demanding games. ASUS and Xbox position the Ally X as the higher-performance model, and the upscaling preview helps it age well.
- $999 to $1,299 (+$300, +30.0%): Pay it only if the OLED panel is a daily-use feature for you. If you mostly play in bright rooms or care about frame rate more than contrast, the Ally X is the smarter buy.
- $1,299 for the X20 vs $1,299.99 for the Atlas 8: At identical money, choose the screen type you prefer. OLED at 7.4 inches goes to ASUS, and an 8-inch 16:10 IPS panel with Wi-Fi 7 and dual Thunderbolt 4 goes to Acer.
Our overall pick for most buyers is the ROG Xbox Ally X at $999, because it saves $300 against the newest model and still receives software support. The X20 wins for anyone who treats the display as the product. The base Ally wins on price alone. The Atlas 8 is the strongest alternative at the top, and the Claw 8 EX AI+ earns the best reviewer notes but only matters if you can buy one. Revisit this verdict in a month, when independent runtime and sustained-performance tests for the X20 and Atlas 8 should land.
FAQ
What is the difference between the ROG Xbox Ally, Ally X and Ally X20?
They are three tiers of the same Windows handheld family. The Ally costs $599 and is the entry model, the Ally X costs $999 and is the higher-performance existing model, and the X20 costs $1,299 and adds a 7.4-inch OLED display, the Ryzen AI Z2 Extreme platform and an anniversary design. ASUS says the X20 joins the lineup and does not replace the older two.
Is the ROG Xbox Ally X20 worth $300 more than the Ally X?
It is worth it if you value the OLED panel, the 1,400 nit HDR peak and the newer controls. The extra $300 is a 30.0% premium. If you mostly care about frame rates and battery runtime, the Ally X gives you most of the platform for less money.
Are the original ROG Xbox Ally and Ally X discontinued?
No. On October 15, 2026, ASUS stated that both remain available at their original US prices of $599 and $999. No ASUS source we reviewed reports a rename or retirement of either model.
How does the Acer Predator Atlas 8 compare with the ROG Xbox Ally X20?
They cost about the same in the US, $1,299.99 reported for the Atlas 8 and $1,299 for the X20. The Atlas 8 offers an 8-inch IPS panel, Wi-Fi 7 and two Thunderbolt 4 ports on Intel hardware. The X20 offers a 7.4-inch OLED on AMD hardware. Reviewers praise the Atlas 8 for cooling and ergonomics, and independent X20 benchmarks are still arriving.
Which of these handhelds is the best handheld console for travel?
The X20 is the strongest travel pitch on paper, because ASUS highlights its 80 Wh battery, OLED screen and 100W fast charging, which restores half a charge in 30 minutes. The Atlas 8 and Claw 8 EX AI+ list comparable battery sizes, so check independent runtime tests before you decide.
Does the ROG Xbox Ally X20 include Xbox Game Pass?
ASUS and Xbox describe the X20 as including two months of Xbox Game Pass in eligible markets. Check your country before you count on it, because eligibility varies.
Can I still buy the MSI Claw 8 EX AI+?
It is officially listed, but MSI’s stores in Italy, Poland and France marked it unavailable, the Spanish store showed it sold out and Hong Kong listed a backorder in the pages we reviewed. Availability depends on your country, so check your local MSI store and major retailers.
