Valve's popular Steam Deck handheld pushed handheld gaming PCs into the mainstream with its affordable, Linux-based console, and its potential successor seemingly aims to make the same impact. Speaking to IGN's Jacqueline Thomas, Valve software developer Pierre-Loup Griffais touched on the fabled 'Steam Deck 2' and whether the ongoing RAM crisis could affect its development.

When asked whether ongoing hardware shortages — which have already affected pricing for its Steam Machine PC and Steam Frame VR headset — have changed how Valve thinks about a Steam Deck successor, Griffais answered, "Not really." For now, it sounds like any potential 'Steam Deck 2' will target the same balance of performance and affordability as before, but is that realistic?

Steam Deck performance was crushed years ago

For clarity, I use my Steam Deck almost every day, and it still powers through my library of built-for-Windows PC games with relative success. However, there's no denying its age, and the custom-made Zen 2/RDNA 2 APU doesn't stand a chance in many of the AAA games released in the past few years. For those demanding titles, plenty of Windows-based handhelds are far better suited.

Of course, higher-end options like ASUS ROG's "next-gen" Xbox Ally X and the all-out powerhouse MSI Claw 8 EX AI+ don't offer higher performance without asking for more cash. On the contrary, the Ally X starts at $999.99, while the Claw 8 EX AI+ moves closer to $1,800, which is a far cry from the $399 to $649 window that the Steam Deck originally targeted.

In that, I'm trying to stay grounded when I hear that Valve's plans haven't changed for the Steam Deck 2 (or whatever it might be called), because that never necessarily meant it would target the same price point as its first handheld. After all, the company just launched its new Steam Frame VR headset for $1,059, which is higher than it originally planned (via PC Gamer).

So, Valve is stuck between a rock and a hard place: sourcing a follow-up (presumably also custom-made) processor and the corresponding components for a mass-produced handheld without pricing it so high that it loses mainstream appeal. It won't be easy, and I wouldn't be surprised if we don't hear anything concrete about the Steam Deck 2 for a few years.

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ASUS has officially opened pre-orders for the ROG Xbox Ally X20, confirming that the company's 20th anniversary handheld gaming PC will be available both as a premium standalone device and as part of a bundled package when it launches on October 15.

In the United States, customers can now pre-order the ROG Xbox Ally X20 standalone model for $1,299.99 MSRP, while the fully loaded ROG Xbox Ally X20 Bundle is priced at $2,499.99 MSRP.

Both versions will be available through Best Buy (today) and the ASUS Store (Sept 24th).

While ASUS originally introduced the X20 as a special anniversary edition, the more time we've spent learning about the device, the clearer it becomes that this isn't simply a commemorative refresh. The ROG Xbox Ally X20 is effectively a significant mid-generation upgrade to the existing ROG Xbox Ally X, bringing meaningful hardware, display, thermal, and control improvements that go well beyond a new paint job or limited-edition branding.

A true upgrade, not just an anniversary model?

At first glance, the X20's translucent-inspired design and special 20th anniversary touches may suggest that this is primarily a collector's edition. Under the chassis, however, ASUS has made extensive engineering changes compared to the existing ROG Xbox Ally X that directly impact the gaming experience.

The most obvious upgrade is the display.

The ROG Xbox Ally X20 moves from the current model's 7-inch screen to a larger 7.4-inch OLED panel, while also delivering substantial improvements in brightness and HDR performance. The display now supports 600 nits SDR brightness, up to 1,400 nits peak HDR brightness, and includes Dolby Vision support alongside ASUS' ROG Nebula HDR technologies.

For handheld gaming, display quality is often one of the most noticeable aspects of the user experience, and the move to OLED alone represents one of the largest upgrades ASUS has made to the platform since launch.

Major internal redesign improves cooling and airflow

The display isn't the only part of the handheld receiving attention.

According to ASUS, the X20 features a completely redesigned PCB, allowing engineers to rethink the internal layout of the system. Surface-mounted USB4 ports enabled the motherboard to be repositioned, creating additional airflow opportunities within the chassis.

ASUS has also upgraded the cooling solution with revised fan and heatsink fin designs, while shifting motherboard placement by several millimeters to further improve thermal efficiency.

That may sound like a small change on paper, but thermals have become one of the defining factors of modern handheld gaming PCs. Better airflow and improved cooling can translate into lower temperatures, quieter operation, and more consistent performance during extended gaming sessions.

A better handheld for competitive gaming

ASUS is also targeting enthusiasts who play fighting games, shooters, and other genres where input precision matters.

The ROG Xbox Ally X20 introduces hybrid metal dome switches for a more tactile D-pad feel, along with what ASUS calls a Transforming D-pad. The mechanism allows players to rotate the D-pad configuration to better align diagonals, providing an experience specifically designed with fighting games in mind.

The thumbsticks have also been upgraded to TMR magnetic induction sticks, offering Hall-effect-style benefits while reducing power consumption. ASUS says the sticks deliver roughly a 3% dead zone and improved precision compared with traditional alternatives.

From a visual standpoint, ASUS has doubled the RGB lighting count around the sticks, increasing from two LEDs to four LEDs per joystick.

Taken together, these changes may end up being just as important as the display improvements, especially for players who spend hundreds of hours with a handheld in their hands.

What's unchanged?

Interestingly, ASUS has resisted changing several of the core specifications that already made the ROG Xbox Ally X one of the strongest Windows gaming handhelds available.

The ROG Xbox Ally X20 retains:

• AMD Ryzen AI Z2 Extreme processor
• 24GB LPDDR5X-8000 memory
• 1TB PCIe Gen4 SSD storage
• 80Wh battery
• USB4 connectivity with Thunderbolt compatibility
• Wi-Fi 6E support

That's probably the right decision. The current Ally X platform already delivers excellent battery life and class-leading handheld performance, so ASUS appears to have focused on enhancing areas that users interact with directly rather than chasing specs for the sake of a marketing bullet point.

And to be fair, there is no newer AMD handheld chip on the market, so there's that!

Goodbye microSD, hello microSD Express

One notable hardware change involves expandable storage.

The traditional microSD slot has been removed and replaced with a microSD Express card reader, supporting dramatically faster storage speeds. ASUS cites support for microSD Express cards capable of approaching 1 GB/s transfer rates, bringing removable storage much closer to SSD-class performance

As game install sizes continue growing, that could become a more meaningful upgrade than many users initially realize.

Two ways to buy

For buyers who only want the handheld itself, the new standalone version offers a straightforward path into the X20 experience.

ROG Xbox Ally X20

• MSRP: $1,299.99
• Available at Best Buy and the ASUS Store
• Launches October 15

Meanwhile, ASUS is also offering a premium bundle aimed at enthusiasts and collectors, because of course.

ROG Xbox Ally X20 Bundle

• MSRP: $2,499.99
• Available at Best Buy and the ASUS Store
• Launches October 15

And what's in that bundle? I'm glad you asked:

• ROG Xbox Ally X20 handheld
• ROG XREAL R1 Edition 20 AR glasses
• dbrand Killswitch case and custom skin
• dbrand joystick covers
• Custom Pelican Protector Case with 20th anniversary badge
• 68W charger

That's a lot of stuff in that bundle, and it's cool to see dbrand officially teaming up with ASUS here for its famed Killswitch case (see our previous review). As far as that steep price, much of that comes down to the inclusion of the ROG XREAL R1 Edition glasses, which are currently sold separately, while these are, of course, matching in the 20th anniversary gold and black motif.

I've written about the current ROG XREAL R1's before, noting their crazy 240Hz micro‑OLED panels, letting you experience a portable (virtual) 171-inch screen. Along with their included dock, they cost $849.99.

ASUS now has one of the strongest handheld lineups on the market

What's perhaps most impressive about the X20 launch is what it does to ASUS' overall handheld portfolio.

The company's lineup now spans three clear price tiers (assuming we don't see price increases):

• ROG Xbox Ally — $599
• ROG Xbox Ally X — $999
• ROG Xbox Ally X20 — $1,299

That's a remarkably clean progression that gives buyers meaningful upgrade options at every budget level.

The X20 occupies a premium position without completely abandoning value-conscious enthusiasts. Even at $1,299.99, it remains roughly $500 below the eye-watering prices we've seen attached to some ultra-premium handhelds, including MSI's difficult-to-find Intel-powered Claw 8 EX AI+ configurations.

More importantly, the X20 differentiates itself with tangible quality-of-life improvements rather than simply adding more RAM or storage. The OLED display, revamped controls, enhanced cooling design, microSD Express support, and internal engineering changes all combine to create a device that feels genuinely evolved from the existing Ally X.

For a product marketed as an anniversary edition, that's arguably the biggest surprise of all.

The ROG Xbox Ally X20 may celebrate two decades of Republic of Gamers history, but its real significance is that it represents the most refined version of ASUS' handheld gaming platform yet—and now, for the first time, buyers can purchase it without needing to opt for the collector-focused bundle.

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When I reviewed the MSI Claw 8 EX AI+ a few months back, I noted how it was a generational jump over AMD’s latest Zen 2 chips found in competing handheld gaming PCs, and when combined with Intel XeSS, it really gave gamers the ultimate handheld we’ve been yearning for.

But there were two problems. One was price. Due to RAM and NAND shortages due to demand for AI compute, MSI had to jack the price by at least $500, putting it at an MSRP of $1,799, which is kind of absurd.

The other was, surprisingly, extremely tight supply. Despite being sold at Best Buy, Amazon, Newegg, and B&H, it sold out everywhere within 24 hours (often due to preorders).

Since its release, that resupply still hasn’t happened. All those retailers are still listing it as out of stock as of me writing this today, and this seems to regularly happen with MSI and its Intel-based handhelds (whether it’s MSI's or Intel’s fault, I’m trying to find out).

So, out of curiosity, I checked eBay to see what that scene was like for the MSI Claw 8 EX AI+, and sure enough, some online stores are selling the hard-to-find handheld, but at an even more exorbitant $2,599 – which is an $800 surcharge over retail!

You may be thinking, but sure, it’s eBay, and people can list items for any price, but are people buying them? The answer appears to be yes. One retailer, seen in the above screenshot, had seven of them in stock but has already sold six, giving a real FOMO to anyone eyeing that last one.

To be fair, I did find a seller with one in stock for $2,299.99 (after coupon, plus $20 shipping), so you’re “only” paying $500 over MSRP. Another seller had nine available, with one remaining for $2,499.

But you get the point. Not only is the MSI Claw 8 EX AI+ insanely expensive at retail, but its shortage is driving up its price by $500 to $800, with people buying it. It’s why I’ve always noted on our podcast that PC gaming is recession-proof. No matter how bad the economy gets, or how high prices go, there is usually someone willing to pay for it.

Not the first time this has happened

Back in December, I noted a similar trend for Lenovo’s excellent Legion Go 2 with its giant 8.8” VRR OLED display and removable controllers. It’s a killer combo of a device, even if it’s better suited for your couch than travel.

For whatever reason, Lenovo can’t keep it in stock, so much so that it eventually removed it from its own website despite excellent reviews and, yes, demand for it, as people were paying $650 over retail just to have one.

Interestingly, ASUS has been the king of “you want it, just buy it,” as the original ROG Ally and the newer ROG Xbox Ally and Ally X are still widely available online and at your local Best Buy. Moreover, ASUS hasn’t even raised the price, keeping them at $599 and $999, respectively.

I hope ASUS can maintain those stock and price levels, as both devices are really solid choices for those looking into handheld gaming. Sure, the Ally X pales in performance to the new MSI Claw 8 EX AI+, but it’s still a really good experience with an outstanding design (a design that will improve with the forthcoming Xbox Ally X20 anniversary edition that features a larger OLED display and many smaller fixes; I expect to be reviewing that when it releases, so stay tuned).

So where does that leave you in this silicon soap opera? Has the RAM/NAND crunch shoved your handheld plans into “maybe in 2028” territory, or are you already rationalizing a purchase with phrases like “long-term investment” and “I deserve this”?

Let me know in the comments what your breaking point is for handheld pricing — and whether $2,599 is where you draw the line, or merely where your wallet starts quietly begging for mercy.

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