Reviews Highlight OLED Display and High Cost of New ROG Xbox Ally X20
Early reviews praise the ROG Xbox Ally X20's OLED screen and upgraded controls but note its $1,300 price and unchanged performance as major drawbacks.
Several technology outlets have published initial reviews of the newly released ROG Xbox Ally X20 handheld. The device retains the same processor as its predecessor but adds a larger OLED display, revised grips and upgraded controls.
Dexerto gave the handheld a perfect score, noting that the "stunning OLED display, upgraded controls, and powerful hardware deliver a premium gaming experience" while acknowledging the $1,299.99 price as steep. CGM rated it 8.5 out of 10, describing it as a "performance powerhouse" but warning that the cost of entry is high.
CNET scored the device 8.3, praising the comfortable layout and new screen but stating that it "falls short of having it all" like other Windows handhelds. PC Gamer assigned an 80 out of 100, calling the 20th-anniversary edition "as bougie as the $300 price bump implies" and noting that the additions are welcome but costly.
The Independent awarded four out of five stars, highlighting the "magnificent" OLED screen and quality-of-life updates, while also emphasizing the "insanely expensive" price and limited battery life. PCMag UK gave it 3.5 out of 5, calling the device a "cool collector's item" with a great screen but questioning its value at $1,299.
Tom's Guide also rated it 3.5 out of 5, stating that the handheld is "undeniably a better piece of hardware than its predecessor" but that the price turns it into a "luxury gamble." BGR, without assigning a score, praised the improved screen, grips and controls but reiterated that the $1,300 price is high compared with the previous model, which offered similar specifications for $300 less.
Overall, reviewers agree that the ROG Xbox Ally X20 offers strong performance and a premium display, but its high price and unchanged core hardware limit its appeal to a broader audience.