The OLED Xbox Ally X20: The Dream Handheld, Explained Simply

What Is This and Why Are We Excited?

A writer from The Verge previously dreamed about an "OLED Xbox Ally X" (a portable game player with a super-pretty screen). Back then, they had to be careful because:

• They hadn’t tried the device yet.
• Asus (the company that makes it) only planned to sell it bundled with expensive AR glasses (special goggles that show digital images).

Good news! Both of those things changed:

• Asus will sell a standalone version (just the handheld, no glasses). Company spokesperson Anthony Spence confirmed this to The Verge: "We are actively discussing the release schedule for a standalone version of the new Ally. Please stay tuned for upcoming announcements."
• The writer spent two hours playing with the OLED Ally at Asus’s offices in California and thinks it might even challenge the new MSI Claw 8 EX AI Plus (another fancy handheld) as a top pick.

The Money Situation (What Is "RAMageddon"?)

Imagine a shortage of computer memory (called RAM) made everything pricier — that’s nicknamed RAMageddon. Because of it:

• The current $1,000 Asus Xbox Ally X is suddenly a great deal.
• The MSI Claw 8 EX costs a staggering $1,800 but gives a huge leap in game performance.
• The new OLED Ally might be a third choice for folks with deep pockets: the most comfortable and refined handheld yet.

The Screen: Small but Mighty

The writer already prefers Asus’s 7.4‑inch OLED screen over:

• Lenovo’s 8.8‑inch screen on the Legion Go 2 (once called "the best handheld screen money can buy").
• MSI Claw 8 EX’s 8‑inch IPS panel (a different, usually less vivid screen type).

Even though the Ally’s screen is a bit smaller, shorter, and slightly lower resolution (1080p instead of 1200p), it looks so much clearer because:

• It has anti‑glare cover glass (a matte layer that stops reflections).
• The panel underneath is brighter.

They brought a Legion Go 2 and a Claw 8 EX to compare directly:

• Under harsh indoor lights, the rival screens showed a reflection of the writer’s face; the OLED Ally was crystal clear.
• Brightness measured in nits (a unit of light):
  • OLED Ally: 1,400‑nit peaks
  • Legion Go 2: 1,000‑nit peaks
  • Claw EX: only 500‑nit (writer had to squint on a road trip)
• A 7.4‑inch screen feels bigger than the old 7‑inch Allys and not cramped.

Important: The OLED Ally shows games like Ori and the Will of the Wisps (a colorful HDR showcase) beautifully, and its green Xbox button glow can be turned off or dimmed.

Comfy to Hold and Nicer Buttons

Last year’s Ally X proved that prongs (little handles) make handhelds comfy. MSI Claw EX added big "manta ray fins" for a beefy grip. Now Asus has:

• Cushy rubberized grips instead of hard textured plastic.
• A frosted, see‑through frame with distinct grip parts.

Other improvements:

• New ABXY face buttons are the most satisfying on any handheld yet — quieter and flush with the shell.
• Bumpers (top shoulder buttons) feel slightly better.
• Screen stays cooler thanks to reworked fans and airflow.
• Triggers (pull levers) are unsure — they sound similar to an old squeak, need more testing.
• The annoying "Library" button that kicked you out of games is dead! A new "Action" button (gold, upper‑right, single horizontal bar) just takes a screenshot. Writer still thinks "Start" should be the top button.

The Trick D‑Pad Really Works

A D‑pad is the cross‑shaped direction button. This one transforms:

• It spins to go from 8‑way (includes diagonals) to 4‑way (only up/down/left/right) by lowering four corners.
• The writer thought it was a gimmick until playing Hollow Knight: Silksong — it made diagonal attacks land perfectly.

How to Change the D‑Pad (Numbered Steps)

1. Use your fingernails to pull up on the D‑pad’s horizontal edge.
2. Rotate it a quarter‑turn.
3. It locks into the new shape. (Felt tight and premium, but could be a future weak point.)

Underneath are clicky dome switches (not soft membrane type) — the writer likes the feel.

How Does It Compare to Other Handhelds? (Game Tests)

Asus didn’t allow full speed tests, but the writer ran two games on both the Ally X20 and Claw 8 EX at the same settings (both processors set to 25 watts, same game save):

• Cyberpunk 2077: Claw EX = 61 frames per second (fps), Ally X20 = 44 fps.
• Returnal: Claw EX = 62 fps, Ally X20 = 41 fps.
• Both drained battery at ~36 watts; with 80‑watt‑hour batteries, about 2 hours of play per charge.

So the Claw has 40–50% more raw performance with no battery penalty, but three big caveats:

1. Smoother Screen: OLED Ally has a 30–120Hz variable refresh rate (screen matches game speed) vs Claw’s 48–120Hz. Lower fps still look smooth.
2. Claw’s Intel Chip Has Driver Hiccups: Drivers (software that helps games talk to hardware) are new. In Returnal photo, Claw showed less fog/grass than Ally’s AMD chip. Some games (Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, Star Wars Jedi: Survivor) stutter; Indiana Jones freezes. Intel is fixing; latest drivers fixed most glitches.
3. Quieter Fans: Ally’s fans were notably quieter in tests.

Heads Up: The Ally X20 is a tad heavier than the old Ally X but still fits the same third‑party Mechanism stands and grips.

Summary

• Asus will sell the OLED Xbox Ally X20 on its own (no AR glasses required).
• It boasts a gorgeous 7.4‑inch OLED screen — brighter, clearer, and less glary than bigger rivals.
• Rubberized grips, improved buttons, a shape‑shifting D‑pad, and quieter cooling make it the comfiest handheld tried.
• It’s a bit slower than the $1,800 MSI Claw in raw fps, but smoother visuals and fewer software bugs help it keep up.
• Likely priced above $1,000 due to RAMageddon; best for buyers wanting top‑tier polish at any cost.

Photography by Sean Hollister / The Verge

FAQ

Q1: What is "RAMageddon" in simple terms?
A: It’s a funny word for a shortage of memory chips (RAM) that made gaming handhelds and other electronics more expensive in 2026.

Q2: Why is an OLED screen better than an IPS screen?
A: OLED makes its own light per pixel, giving brighter colors, deeper blacks, and (with anti‑glare glass) a clearer picture in sunlight compared to IPS, which uses a backlight and can look washed out.

Q3: When can I buy the standalone OLED Ally?
A: Asus says they are "actively discussing" the release schedule but haven’t given a date. Watch for official announcements.

Q4: Does the transforming D‑pad break easily?
A: It felt tight and premium in the demo, but because it moves, it could become a weak point over time. The writer hasn’t seen failures yet.

Q5: Should I buy the $1,000 Ally X now or wait for the OLED version?
A: If $1,000 is your max budget, get the current Ally X (it’s a great deal). If you want the absolute best screen and comfort and can pay more, wait for the OLED Ally.