Asus is Betting Big on the Ally X20, but the Price Tag is a Hard Pill to Swallow
AI-generated image · Bay Street Wire
With a $1,300 starting price, the new OLED handheld offers refinement and a stunning screen, but it struggles to justify its cost without the AR bundle.
Asus is positioning the OLED Xbox Ally X20 as a pinnacle of refinement for Windows handhelds, but the pricing strategy is a gamble. As The Verge first reported, the device will officially start at $1,300, available for pre-order via Asus’s online store and Best Buy with a shipping date of October 15th.
**Opinion:** Let's be clear: $1,300 is an absurd amount of money for a handheld gaming PC. While Asus is attempting to frame this as a premium upgrade, the value proposition is shaky for the average consumer. Unless you are a hardcore enthusiast who views this as a luxury centerpiece, the cost is difficult to justify.
Asus spokesperson Don Nguyen told The Verge that the X20 is essentially the same ROG 20th Anniversary handheld previously showcased at Asus US offices, featuring gold trim and a translucent chassis. However, the real draw isn't the aesthetics. The device boasts a new 7.4-inch 1080p OLED screen, which The Verge describes as the brightest, fastest, and clearest screen currently available on a handheld. Other quality-of-life improvements include more comfortable grips, a rotating D-pad that switches between 4-way and 8-way inputs, and the removal of the Xbox “Library” button.
Despite these polish-focused upgrades, the X20 isn't the king of performance. The Verge notes that it will be outperformed by Strix Halo devices, such as the upcoming GPD Win Max 3 priced at $1,750, and will be surpassed in portable power by the MSI Claw EX.
Asus rep Anthony Spence confirmed to The Verge that the company will continue to sell the original $1,000 Xbox Ally X and the $600 Xbox Ally, meaning the X20 carries a $300 premium over the previous X model.
Interestingly, Asus seems to believe the device is a more attractive sell when paired with high-end accessories. For $2,500, buyers can get a bundle that includes the $1,300 X20 and a pair of 240Hz ROG XREAL X1 glasses (which normally retail for $849). This bundle also adds a branded Pelican carrying case and a Dbrand Killswitch protective case, complete with a hardshell screen cover, built-in kickstand, and stick toppers.
Without the allure of the AR glasses and the luxury carrying cases, the X20 is a niche product. It may be the most comfortable and refined Windows handheld on the market, but at $1,300, it's a tough sell for anyone who isn't already deep in the enthusiast rabbit hole.