Asus ROG Xbox Ally X20 OLED handheld launches Oct. 15 at $1,300

Asus has opened pre-orders for the ROG Xbox Ally X20, an upgraded version of its flagship handheld featuring a 7.4-inch OLED display and a translucent black shell with gold accents. The standalone device costs $1,299.99, while a bundle with AR glasses and accessories runs $2,499.99. Sales begin October 15 at the Asus Store and Best Buy Source: Tom's Hardware.

Key upgrades

The X20 retains the AMD Ryzen Z2 Extreme chip, 24GB RAM, 1TB SSD, and 80Whr battery from the previous model, but adds a larger OLED screen (up from 7-inch IPS), a transforming D-pad (4-way to 8-way), TMR joysticks, and rubberized grips Source: Engadget. The Verge highlights the display as "the clearest, fastest, and brightest on a handheld yet" Source: The Verge.

Pricing and bundle

At $1,300, the X20 costs $300 more than the original Ally X ($1,000), which remains on sale Source: Gizmodo. The $2,500 bundle includes ROG XREAL R1 Edition 20 AR glasses (normally $849), a Dbrand Killswitch case, and a Pelican case Source: The Verge. Tom's Hardware notes that Asus initially only announced the bundle but later added a standalone option Source: Tom's Hardware.

Competitive landscape

Compared to rivals, the X20 is cheaper than the $1,800 MSI Claw 8 EX AI+ and the $2,000 Lenovo Legion Go 2, though the Claw offers better performance Source: Gizmodo. Engadget calls the X20 "one of the best PC gaming handhelds" and notes the AR glasses are compatible with other devices like smartphones and the Switch 2 Source: Engadget.