Asus will sell the ASUS ROG Xbox Ally X20 as a standalone handheld after first planning to bundle the OLED Ally with AR glasses. That changes the purchase path for buyers who want the handheld without paying for extras they may not use.
Anthony Spence, an Asus spokesperson, told The Verge that the company is now moving toward a separate release. “We are actively discussing the release schedule for a standalone version of the new Ally. Please stay tuned for upcoming announcements.”
OLED Ally at Asus offices
The OLED Ally was tried for two hours at Asus’ California offices. That hands-on session matters because it gives a direct read on the hardware before any separate sale reaches buyers.
The writer preferred Asus’ 7.4-inch OLED screen over the 8.8-inch screen on the Legion Go 2. The same comparison favored the OLED Ally over the MSI Claw 8 EX’s 8-inch IPS panel.
7.4-inch OLED screen
The OLED Ally’s screen is 1080p rather than 1200p. The panel looked clearer in person because of its anti-glare cover glass and the brighter panel underneath.
That leaves the practical question on price and timing. Asus has moved the handheld out of bundle-only territory, but the separate release schedule has not been laid out yet.
