JerryRigEverything tests the Asus ROG Ally X: tough build, questionable $999 value

Popular tech YouTuber Zack Nelson (JerryRigEverything) subjected the Asus ROG Xbox Ally X handheld to his trademark durability trial and a full teardown. The new $999 gaming handheld came through without critical damage, though the price, the reviewer suggested, doesn’t feel as justified as many might hope. The result reads as a sturdy build paired with choices that raise questions about value.

During testing, the IPS display was found to be covered by a factory protective film that scratches at level 2 on the Mohs scale, with Corning Gorilla Glass Victus underneath resisting marks up to level 6. The plastic chassis handled twists and pressure without cracks or warping, a reassuring sign for day-to-day use.

Inside, Nelson found an 80 Wh battery and a motherboard featuring the AMD Ryzen AI Z2 Extreme. The chip is cooled by two heat pipes, a heatsink, and a dual-fan setup. What stood out as a letdown was Asus opting for conventional analog sticks, which are prone to drift, instead of more durable Hall-effect sticks—an unexpected compromise in a thousand-dollar device.

After reassembly, the console worked perfectly. Even so, Nelson’s view was that a price this high should bring premium components without compromises, and here that bar is not fully met. The hardware feels tough, but the component choices make the value proposition less clear-cut.