Introduction — why accuracy matters in 2025’s handheld wars
Handheld gaming PCs surged from curiosity to mainstream in under three years. 2025’s crop — from ASUS/Microsoft collaborations to Lenovo’s big-screen push and GPD’s compact powerhouses — is diverse, and small spec errors change buyer decisions. Below I’ve corrected and verified key specs (display, battery, CPU, RAM, weight) and performance takeaways using manufacturer pages and recent hands-on reviews so you get an accurate, usable comparison. @ROG+2
Quick verified comparison (key specs)
| Device | Display | Processor/SoC | RAM (max) | Storage (max) | Battery | Weight | OS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ROG Xbox Ally (original) | 7″ FHD 120Hz | AMD Ryzen Z1 / Z1 Extreme variants | up to 16GB | up to 1TB (varies) | ~40–60Wh (model dependent) | ~670–715g | Windows 11. @ROG+1 |
| ROG Xbox Ally X / ROG Ally X | 7″ FHD 120Hz (IPS/OLED depending on SKU) | AMD Ryzen AI Z2 / Z2 Extreme | up to 24GB LPDDR5X | up to 1TB M.2 2280 | 80Wh (X variants) | ~715–720g | Windows 11. @ROG+1 |
| Lenovo Legion Go 2 (Gen 2) | 8.8″ 1920×1200 OLED, 30–144Hz VRR | AMD Ryzen Z2 or Z2 Extreme | up to 32GB LPDDR5X | up to 2TB PCIe 4.0 | 74Wh | ~920–938g (with controllers) | Windows 11. Lenovo+1 |
| GPD WIN 5 | 7″ 1080p, 120Hz (varies by SKU) | AMD Ryzen Al Max / Al Max+ or AMD Ryzen AI variants | up to 64GB (manufacturer SKUs) | Up to multi-TB (PCIe 4.0) | Reported up to ~65–80Wh on some SKUs | ~550–650g (depending on build) | Windows 11. GPD+2Droix+2 |
| OneXFly Apex (One-Netbook / OneXFly) | ~7″ 1080p, 120Hz | Ryzen AI/Max family (varies by SKU) — recent Apex uses Ryzen AI Max / Ryzen 7 AI variants | up to 32–64GB reported | up to 1–2TB | ~48–74Wh depending on SKU | ~580–650g | Windows 11. Notebookcheck+1 |
Notes: manufacturers offer multiple SKUs and region variants; battery, RAM and storage ceilings differ per SKU. I used the most recent official pages and hands-on coverage for the numbers above. @ROG+2Lenovo+2
Device deep dives (corrected & verified)
ROG Xbox Ally (original / baseline)
The original Ally established ASUS’s handheld formula: a 7-inch 120Hz panel, AMD handheld-class APUs, and tight Xbox/Game Pass integration in some Xbox-branded variants. Earlier Ally SKUs top out around 16GB RAM and smaller batteries; later/2025 Xbox-branded Ally variants improved capacity and integration. For precise SKU specs check ASUS’s product pages — models vary by market. @ROG+1
Practical takeaway: Great handheld for Game Pass and mainstream PC gaming at 1080p; earlier models trade battery for portability.
ROG Xbox Ally X / ROG Ally X (2025)
The Ally X (2025/“Xbox Ally X” branding on some regions) is ASUS’s major refinement: larger battery options (80Wh on X models), higher RAM options (up to 24GB LPDDR5X on certain SKUs), and improved cooling. ASUS’s 2025 pages advertise an 80Wh battery on the X and “Zero Gravity” or advanced thermal designs on higher SKUs — that change transforms runtime and sustained FPS under load. Recent hands-on reviews confirm the improved thermals and longer playtime on the X series. @ROG+1
Practical takeaway: Best balance of improved battery life + handheld ergonomics; a clear upgrade over the original Ally for marathon sessions.
Lenovo Legion Go 2 (Gen 2)
Lenovo upgraded the Legion Go to Gen-2 in 2025: an 8.8-inch OLED panel (1920×1200) with 30–144Hz VRR and a much larger 74Wh battery. Lenovo positions the Go 2 as a hybrid — its detachable controllers and large OLED make it attractive for both cinematic single-player gaming and productivity use. It supports up to 32GB RAM and high-end Ryzen Z2 Extreme options depending on the SKU. Multiple reviews corroborate the bigger battery and thicker chassis to accommodate better cooling. Lenovo+1
Practical takeaway: If screen real estate and immersive visuals matter, Legion Go 2 is a top pick — at the cost of extra weight.
GPD WIN 5
GPD’s WIN series continues to push compact power. The WIN 5’s publicly listed SKUs show AMD Al Max/Al Max+ APUs (strong integrated graphics) or similar Ryzen AI-family chips in newer builds, large RAM ceilings (some SKUs up to 64GB in listings), and big battery options in higher-end SKUs. GPD remains focused on compact size, surprising performance and productivity features (mini keyboards on some models). Factory and retailer pages show multiple SKU configurations; hands-on reports praise performance-per-watt. GPD+2Droix+2
Practical takeaway: Compact powerhouse for users who want a pocketable device with workstation capabilities.
OneXFly Apex (One-Netbook / OneXFly)
One-Netbook’s OneXFly Apex aims to push performance while keeping weight low. Recent manufacturer PR and Notebookcheck coverage show Apex variants using Ryzen AI/AI-Max family APUs, high RAM options (32GB), and competitive performance claims. The Apex positions itself as a performance-centric, thin handheld alternative to heavier devices. Notebookcheck
Practical takeaway: Excellent for users prioritizing portability plus strong all-round performance; support and regional availability vary.
Real-world performance & battery (what to expect)
Because manufacturers publish different SKUs and reviewers test different firmware, real FPS and runtime will vary. General trends from hands-on reviews:
- Performance leaders: high-end SKUs on the GPD WIN 5 (Al Max+/AI variants) and some Lenovo Z2 Extreme SKUs push highest sustained FPS in many modern titles. Droix+1
- Best battery endurance (2025 SKUs): X-branded Ally models with 80Wh batteries and Lenovo’s 74Wh Legion Go 2 show significantly better mixed-use runtimes than earlier 40Wh handhelds. @ROG+1
- Thermals & throttling: heavier/thicker handhelds (Legion Go 2) can sustain higher clocks longer due to larger cooling stacks; slimmer devices are better for portability but may throttle earlier. Tom’s Hardware
Which handheld should you pick? (Corrected verdict)
- Best overall (balanced power + battery + ergonomics): ROG Xbox Ally X — improved battery (80Wh) + refined thermals and higher RAM options make it the most balanced 2025 pick for most gamers. @ROG
- Best raw compact performance / productivity: GPD WIN 5 — top CPU/APU choices and high RAM ceilings; ideal for power users who value a small form factor. GPD
- Best big-screen handheld: Lenovo Legion Go 2 — 8.8″ OLED, VRR and a 74Wh battery make it the immersive choice. Lenovo
- Best for travel & portability: OneXFly Apex — lightweight with strong performance; good for users who prioritize carrying weight. Notebookcheck
- Still relevant: ROG Xbox Ally (original) — solid if you find the right SKU at a discount; the X supersedes it for runtime and thermals. @ROG