ROG Ally X Review: Early Units Shipped by Amazon France

▼ Summary
– Amazon France accidentally delivered the ROG Xbox Ally X to some customers nearly three weeks before its official October 16 launch date.
– Reddit users shared photos and early impressions, noting the device is very light and comfortable compared to competitors like the Steam Deck.
– An early hands-on review suggests the Ally X offers improved thermals, battery life, and ergonomics over the original model.
– The premium ROG Xbox Ally X model features a more powerful AMD Ryzen AI Z2 Extreme processor, 24GB RAM, and 1TB SSD for $999.99.
– Preorders for the Ally X have been selling out quickly, and the early deliveries have generated both excitement and frustration among potential buyers.
The ROG Ally X has started arriving in the hands of a few lucky customers well ahead of its official October 16 launch date, thanks to an unexpected shipping mix-up by Amazon France. A Reddit user going by the name Technical_Fun77 posted images of their new device, expressing gratitude for receiving the handheld gaming system nearly three weeks before its scheduled release. This early delivery has sparked both excitement and a bit of envy among gaming enthusiasts eagerly awaiting their own pre-orders.
While many customers in regions like the UK are still patiently waiting, select buyers in France are already exploring the features of the ROG Ally X. Social media accounts such as @XboxAllyNews have highlighted the situation, noting that Amazon France had previously listed an October 1 delivery date, which initially seemed like an error but now appears to have been accurate for some. This has led to plenty of online chatter, with many joking about potential repercussions for the employees responsible for the early shipments.
Beyond just unboxing photos, early recipients have begun sharing their initial impressions of the device. Technical_Fun77 provided a brief hands-on review, and another Reddit user, hmika, also posted images and comments praising the lightweight and comfortable design, especially when compared to competitors like the Steam Deck. That user mentioned ordering a Legion Go 2 as well but expects a much longer wait for Lenovo’s offering based on current preorder trends. An unboxing video has even surfaced on Facebook, adding to the buzz, though it’s unclear if that also stemmed from an early retail slip.
For the broader gaming community, these premature arrivals offer a tantalizing preview of what to expect. Early feedback indicates that ASUS has made significant improvements over the original Ally model, with better thermal management, extended battery performance, and more ergonomic handling. While it’s frustrating for some to see others enjoying the device early, the overall reaction remains lighthearted. With preorders selling out rapidly at major retailers and Amazon jumping the gun, the launch of this Xbox and ASUS collaboration is off to a memorable start.
Two distinct models are available for preorder. The base ROG Ally is priced at $599.99 and comes equipped with a 7-inch 1080p 120Hz touchscreen, an AMD Ryzen Z2 A processor, 16GB of LPDDR5 RAM, a 512GB PCIe 4.0 SSD, and a 60Wh battery. It’s aimed at gamers who want solid PC gaming performance across multiple platforms. The premium ROG Ally X, listed at $999.99, upgrades to an AMD Ryzen AI Z2 Extreme processor, 24GB of RAM, and a 1TB SSD, making it the better option for those who plan to run more demanding titles. Both can be reserved through retailers like Best Buy and Antonline.
(Source: Windows Central)