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- Best overall: ASUS ROG Xbox Ally X
- Best budget: ASUS ROG Xbox Ally
- Best premium: MSI Claw 8 AI+ A2VM
- Best for SteamOS and OLED: Steam Deck OLED 1TB
- ASUS ROG Xbox Ally X has 24GB of memory and an 80Wh battery for demanding games and longer sessions.
- ASUS ROG Xbox Ally pairs a 60Wh battery with 16GB of memory for a simpler entry into Windows handheld gaming.
- MSI Claw 8 AI+ A2VM and Lenovo Legion Go offer larger displays than the 7-inch ASUS handhelds.
- Compare screen, memory, battery capacity and operating system before choosing a Black Friday 2026 handheld.
ASUS ROG Xbox Ally X is the stronger pick for demanding games, while ASUS ROG Xbox Ally is the more straightforward choice for players who value a lighter spec sheet. Both have 7-inch, 1080p, 120Hz displays and an Xbox-focused Windows experience. The key differences are the processor, memory, storage and battery: ASUS ROG Xbox Ally X has 24GB of memory, 1TB of storage and an 80Wh battery; ASUS ROG Xbox Ally has 16GB, 512GB and a 60Wh battery.
For this Black Friday 2026 guide, we researched and compared specs, reviews and owner feedback across leading gaming handhelds. Here’s the bottom line: choose ASUS ROG Xbox Ally X for more headroom, or ASUS ROG Xbox Ally if the core Xbox handheld experience matters more than top-tier specifications. We also compare alternatives with OLED screens, larger displays and different operating systems, so you can match the device to your games and play style.
How We Picked
- Compared processor, memory, storage and battery specifications published for each handheld.
- Considered screen size, resolution, refresh rate and display type for portable play.
- Reviewed owner feedback and product reviews for comfort, software experience and common trade-offs.
- Included Windows and SteamOS options to reflect different game libraries and interface preferences.
- Prioritized models with clear use cases, from compact entry picks to larger-screen premium alternatives.
Comparison Table
| Product | Best for | Display | Memory | Battery |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ASUS ROG Xbox Ally X | Performance headroom | 7-inch, 1080p, 120Hz | 24GB | 80Wh |
| ASUS ROG Xbox Ally | Core Xbox handheld features | 7-inch, 1080p, 120Hz | 16GB | 60Wh |
| ASUS ROG Ally Z1 Extreme (RC71L) | Compact Windows gaming | 7-inch, 1080p, 120Hz | 16GB | 40Wh |
| Steam Deck OLED 1TB | OLED and SteamOS | 7.4-inch OLED, 90Hz | 16GB | 50Wh |
| MSI Claw 8 AI+ A2VM | Large screen and memory | 8-inch, 1920 x 1200, 120Hz | 32GB | 80Wh |
| Lenovo Legion Go 8.8-inch 1TB Z1 Extreme | Big display and detachable controllers | 8.8-inch, 2560 x 1600, 144Hz | 16GB | 49.2Wh |
| Lenovo Legion Go S with SteamOS (8ARP1) | SteamOS on a larger screen | 8-inch, 1920 x 1200, 120Hz | 16GB | 55.5Wh |
Best Picks Reviewed
#1 · Top pick
ASUS ROG Xbox Ally X
The ASUS ROG Xbox Ally X is the best overall handheld for players who want more performance headroom, with 24GB of memory and an 80Wh battery. The extra capacity suits longer sessions and demanding games.
Best for: Players who want the stronger Xbox handheld configuration
- Display
- 7-inch, 1080p, 120Hz
- Memory
- 24GB
- Storage
- 1TB
- Battery
- 80Wh
- More memory than ASUS ROG Xbox Ally
- Larger 1TB built-in storage
- 80Wh battery capacity
- More hardware than casual players need
Is the ASUS ROG Xbox Ally X worth buying on Black Friday 2026?
ASUS ROG Xbox Ally X is worth considering for players who want the strongest configuration in this comparison. The ASUS ROG Xbox Ally X's 24GB of memory, 1TB of storage and 80Wh battery make it the more capable pick for demanding games and extended handheld sessions.
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#2
ASUS ROG Xbox Ally
The ASUS ROG Xbox Ally is the best budget handheld for players who want the Xbox-focused Windows experience, with a 60Wh battery and 16GB of memory. The core 7-inch, 120Hz display keeps games looking smooth.
Best for: Players prioritizing core features and a simpler configuration
- Display
- 7-inch, 1080p, 120Hz
- Memory
- 16GB
- Storage
- 512GB
- Battery
- 60Wh
- Familiar Xbox-focused interface
- 120Hz display
- Lighter memory and storage needs
- Less memory than ASUS ROG Xbox Ally X
- Smaller battery and built-in storage
Is the ASUS ROG Xbox Ally worth buying on Black Friday 2026?
ASUS ROG Xbox Ally is a solid choice for players who want a Windows handheld with an Xbox-focused interface and a 7-inch, 120Hz screen. The ASUS ROG Xbox Ally's 16GB of memory and 60Wh battery cover the essentials, though ASUS ROG Xbox Ally X offers more headroom.
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#3
ASUS ROG Ally Z1 Extreme (RC71L)
The ASUS ROG Ally Z1 Extreme (RC71L) is the best compact alternative for players who want a familiar Windows handheld, with a 7-inch, 120Hz display. The device pairs its screen with a Ryzen Z1 Extreme processor.
Best for: Windows handheld players comparing ASUS options
- Display
- 7-inch, 1080p, 120Hz
- Memory
- 16GB
- Processor
- AMD Ryzen Z1 Extreme
- Compact 7-inch format
- High-refresh-rate display
- Windows game library access
- Less memory than ASUS ROG Xbox Ally X
Is the ASUS ROG Ally Z1 Extreme (RC71L) a good Black Friday 2026 alternative?
ASUS ROG Ally Z1 Extreme (RC71L) is a good alternative for players who want a compact Windows handheld with a 7-inch, 120Hz display. Compare its configuration with ASUS ROG Xbox Ally X and ASUS ROG Xbox Ally to choose the interface and specifications that fit your library.
See today’s Black Friday price on Amazon
#4
Steam Deck OLED 1TB
The Steam Deck OLED 1TB is the best OLED pick for players who favor a rich display and SteamOS, with a 7.4-inch, 90Hz OLED screen. The Steam Deck OLED 1TB's 1TB capacity gives a large library room to live on the device.
Best for: Steam library players who value OLED contrast
- Display
- 7.4-inch OLED, 90Hz
- Memory
- 16GB
- Storage
- 1TB
- Battery
- 50Wh
- OLED display with deep contrast
- SteamOS interface
- 1TB storage capacity
- Smaller battery capacity than ASUS ROG Xbox Ally X
Is the Steam Deck OLED 1TB worth buying on Black Friday 2026?
Steam Deck OLED 1TB is worth considering for players whose games are centered on Steam and who want an OLED screen. The 7.4-inch display runs at 90Hz, and 1TB of storage supports a sizable installed library.
See today’s Black Friday price on Amazon
#5
MSI Claw 8 AI+ A2VM
The MSI Claw 8 AI+ A2VM is the best large-screen premium pick for players who want more room to view games, with an 8-inch, 120Hz display. The MSI Claw 8 AI+ A2VM's Intel Core Ultra 7 258V processor and 32GB of memory headline the configuration.
Best for: Players who want a larger display and high memory capacity
- Display
- 8-inch, 1920 x 1200, 120Hz
- Processor
- Intel Core Ultra 7 258V
- Memory
- 32GB
- Battery
- 80Wh
- Large 8-inch display
- 32GB of memory
- 80Wh battery capacity
- Larger body than 7-inch handhelds
Is the MSI Claw 8 AI+ A2VM worth buying on Black Friday 2026?
MSI Claw 8 AI+ A2VM is a strong option for players who value an 8-inch display and 32GB of memory. The MSI Claw 8 AI+ A2VM's 120Hz screen and 80Wh battery suit players who want a larger Windows handheld rather than the more compact ASUS ROG Xbox Ally models.
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#6
Lenovo Legion Go 8.8-inch 1TB Z1 Extreme
The Lenovo Legion Go 8.8-inch 1TB Z1 Extreme is the best big-screen pick for players who want a roomy handheld display, with an 8.8-inch, 144Hz screen. Detachable controllers add flexibility for different play setups.
Best for: Players who want a large screen and detachable controllers
- Display
- 8.8-inch, 2560 x 1600, 144Hz
- Processor
- AMD Ryzen Z1 Extreme
- Memory
- 16GB
- Storage
- 1TB
- Largest screen in this comparison
- 144Hz refresh rate
- Detachable controllers
- Less compact than 7-inch handhelds
Is the Lenovo Legion Go 8.8-inch 1TB Z1 Extreme worth buying on Black Friday 2026?
Lenovo Legion Go 8.8-inch 1TB Z1 Extreme is worth a look for players who want a large display and detachable controllers. The Lenovo Legion Go 8.8-inch 1TB Z1 Extreme's 8.8-inch, 144Hz screen stands apart from the 7-inch ASUS ROG Xbox Ally models, though the larger body is less compact.
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#7
Lenovo Legion Go S with SteamOS (8ARP1)
The Lenovo Legion Go S with SteamOS (8ARP1) is the best SteamOS alternative for players who want a larger screen than Steam Deck OLED, with an 8-inch, 120Hz display. The Ryzen Z2 Go processor powers this streamlined handheld option.
Best for: SteamOS players who prefer an 8-inch display
- Display
- 8-inch, 1920 x 1200, 120Hz
- Processor
- AMD Ryzen Z2 Go
- Memory
- 16GB
- Storage
- 512GB
- SteamOS interface
- 8-inch, 120Hz display
- Straightforward alternative to Windows handhelds
- 512GB storage is less than 1TB alternatives
Is the Lenovo Legion Go S with SteamOS (8ARP1) worth buying on Black Friday 2026?
Lenovo Legion Go S with SteamOS (8ARP1) is a good fit for players who want SteamOS on an 8-inch, 120Hz screen. The 16GB memory and 512GB storage provide a different balance from ASUS ROG Xbox Ally X, which offers 24GB and 1TB.
See today’s Black Friday price on Amazon
Which ROG Xbox Ally is better for Black Friday 2026?
ASUS ROG Xbox Ally X is the stronger choice for demanding games, with 24GB of memory, 1TB of storage and an 80Wh battery. ASUS ROG Xbox Ally has 16GB of memory, 512GB of storage and a 60Wh battery. Both models share a 7-inch, 1080p, 120Hz display and an Xbox-focused Windows interface.
Choose ASUS ROG Xbox Ally X if you want greater memory and storage headroom or expect long gaming sessions away from a charger. Choose ASUS ROG Xbox Ally if you want the key handheld features without prioritizing the higher specification. Worth it for most players: pick the model that fits your game library and how often you play unplugged, rather than choosing by name alone.
What are the biggest spec differences between ASUS ROG Xbox Ally X and ASUS ROG Xbox Ally?
ASUS ROG Xbox Ally X has 8GB more memory, double the built-in storage and a battery capacity that is 20Wh larger than ASUS ROG Xbox Ally. The X model uses the Ryzen AI Z2 Extreme processor, while ASUS ROG Xbox Ally uses the Ryzen Z2 A. Both devices have a 7-inch, 120Hz display.
Those differences matter most when you want extra room for installed games, more memory headroom or longer play between charges. Screen size and refresh rate are not the deciding factors here because the two models share those headline display figures. Check the exact configuration at purchase, including memory and storage, before deciding between the pair.
Are ROG Xbox Ally handhelds good for Xbox Game Pass?
ASUS ROG Xbox Ally X and ASUS ROG Xbox Ally are Windows handhelds with Xbox-focused software, so they suit players who want access to PC games and Xbox services on a portable screen. Both offer a 7-inch display with a 120Hz refresh rate, giving the two models a similar screen experience.
Your best setup depends on where your games live and how you play. A strong Wi-Fi connection helps with cloud gaming, while installed PC games use the handheld’s local storage and hardware. ASUS ROG Xbox Ally X gives you 1TB of storage; ASUS ROG Xbox Ally has 512GB. Review game compatibility and storage needs for your own library before choosing.
Which gaming handheld has the best screen?
Lenovo Legion Go 8.8-inch 1TB Z1 Extreme has the largest display in this guide, at 8.8 inches and 144Hz, while Steam Deck OLED 1TB offers an OLED panel at 7.4 inches and 90Hz. ASUS ROG Xbox Ally X and ASUS ROG Xbox Ally each use a 7-inch, 1080p, 120Hz display.
Pick the Lenovo Legion Go for screen size, resolution and refresh rate. Pick Steam Deck OLED for OLED contrast and a SteamOS interface. The ASUS handhelds keep the screen size more compact while pairing a 120Hz refresh rate with the Xbox-focused Windows experience. Screen preference is personal, so consider whether portability, contrast or a larger image matters most.
Should you choose Windows or SteamOS in a gaming handheld?
ASUS ROG Xbox Ally X and ASUS ROG Xbox Ally are Windows handhelds, while Steam Deck OLED 1TB and Lenovo Legion Go S with SteamOS (8ARP1) are built around SteamOS. Windows suits players seeking broad PC storefront access and an Xbox-focused interface; SteamOS gives Steam players a console-style path into their library.
Think about your game launcher habits, preferred menus and comfort with desktop settings. Steam Deck OLED is the OLED pick, and Lenovo Legion Go S brings SteamOS to an 8-inch, 120Hz screen. ASUS ROG Xbox Ally X has 24GB of memory and 1TB of storage for players who prefer a Windows-based handheld.
Buying Guide
Choose the right processor and memory
Compare processor generation and memory for the games you play. ASUS ROG Xbox Ally X has a Ryzen AI Z2 Extreme processor and 24GB of memory; ASUS ROG Xbox Ally has a Ryzen Z2 A and 16GB. More memory gives demanding workloads more headroom.
Match storage to your game library
Large game libraries need room. ASUS ROG Xbox Ally X and Steam Deck OLED 1TB each provide 1TB of built-in storage. ASUS ROG Xbox Ally and Lenovo Legion Go S with SteamOS (8ARP1) have 512GB configurations in this guide.
Compare battery capacity and portability
Battery capacity is one useful comparison, not a guarantee of play time. ASUS ROG Xbox Ally X has an 80Wh battery, compared with 60Wh in ASUS ROG Xbox Ally. Larger-screen devices can also take up more space in a bag.
Pick a screen for your play style
A 7-inch, 120Hz screen keeps ASUS ROG Xbox Ally X and ASUS ROG Xbox Ally compact. Choose Steam Deck OLED 1TB for a 7.4-inch OLED panel or Lenovo Legion Go for an 8.8-inch screen and 144Hz refresh rate.
Check operating system and game access
Choose Windows for the Xbox-focused ASUS handheld experience and broad PC storefront access. Choose SteamOS if your play is centered on Steam. Check each game’s compatibility and the interface you prefer before making a Black Friday 2026 decision.
FAQ
rog xbox ally x black friday: which model should I choose?
ASUS ROG Xbox Ally X is the stronger pick if you want 24GB of memory, 1TB of storage and an 80Wh battery. ASUS ROG Xbox Ally has 16GB, 512GB and a 60Wh battery. Both share a 7-inch, 1080p, 120Hz screen.
xbox rog ally x black friday: is ASUS ROG Xbox Ally X better than ASUS ROG Xbox Ally?
ASUS ROG Xbox Ally X has stronger headline specifications, including 24GB of memory and an 80Wh battery. ASUS ROG Xbox Ally keeps the same 7-inch, 120Hz display with 16GB of memory and a 60Wh battery. Choose according to your performance and storage needs.
What is the main difference between ASUS ROG Xbox Ally X and ASUS ROG Xbox Ally?
The main differences are processor, memory, storage and battery capacity. ASUS ROG Xbox Ally X has a Ryzen AI Z2 Extreme, 24GB of memory, 1TB of storage and an 80Wh battery. ASUS ROG Xbox Ally has a Ryzen Z2 A, 16GB, 512GB and 60Wh.
Is ASUS ROG Xbox Ally X good for portable gaming?
ASUS ROG Xbox Ally X is designed as a portable Windows gaming handheld with a 7-inch, 1080p, 120Hz display. Its 80Wh battery and 24GB of memory make it the higher-capacity pick here. Actual battery life varies with game, settings and use.
Should I buy ASUS ROG Xbox Ally or Steam Deck OLED 1TB?
Choose ASUS ROG Xbox Ally for its Xbox-focused Windows experience and 7-inch, 120Hz screen. Choose Steam Deck OLED 1TB for a 7.4-inch OLED display and SteamOS. The better fit depends on your game library, preferred operating system and screen priorities.