India, Dec. 18 -- Handheld gaming has come a long way, from the humble Game Boy to pocket-sized devices that can rival full-sized consoles. ASUS is taking it up a notch with its ROG Xbox Ally series, launched recently in India. The Ally X, co-developed with Microsoft's Xbox team, borrows design cues from the Xbox controller, offering comfortable grips, responsive triggers, and customizable buttons that feel familiar to console players. The idea is simple: make familiar controls feel comfortable, even during hours of gameplay.

At first glance, the Ally X impresses with its sleek design, vibrant display, and promises of speed and precision. But beyond the specs, the real question is, how does it perform in real-world gaming? I've spent the...