Microsoft and Asus are making the ROG Ally and Ally X feel more like true gaming consoles with a major new update. From better visuals using AI to improved controls when playing on a TV, these handhelds are getting the tools they need to compete with the best in the business.
AI Power: Smoother Gaming with Auto SR
The most exciting addition is the preview of Automatic Super Resolution (Auto SR) for the ROG Ally X. This technology uses AI to make games look like they are running at a high resolution, such as 1440p, while actually running at a lower resolution to keep the performance high.
Early tests show that using Auto SR can boost your frame rates by up to 30% without making the game look blurry. This is especially helpful when your handheld is docked and connected to a large TV where every pixel counts. Currently, this feature is available for Xbox Insiders to test.
A Better Docked Experience
Playing your handheld on a big screen is now much easier. When you connect your ROG Ally to a modern smart TV from brands like Samsung, LG, or Vizio, the system will automatically turn on gaming features like Low Latency Mode and HDR10.
Microsoft also added a new Display Widget to the Game Bar. This lets you change your resolution and refresh rate using just your controller, so you never have to put down the gamepad to mess with Windows settings.
Smarter Controls and Audio
The update brings several quality of life changes that make gaming feel more seamless:
- Automatic Controller Switching: When you plug in an external Xbox controller, the handheld’s built-in buttons are automatically turned off to avoid confusion.
- Gamepad Cursor: You can now use your controller’s thumbstick to move a mouse cursor in apps that don’t usually support controllers, like web browsers.
- Super Wideband Audio: If you use a headset with Bluetooth LE Audio, you will now get high-fidelity stereo sound even while using the microphone for party chat.
- Unified Library: You can now add and launch games from any PC store (like Steam or Epic) directly from the Xbox app, complete with custom images and names.
Better Performance for the Biggest Games
Microsoft confirmed that over 1,000 games are now officially Handheld Compatible. Popular titles like Monster Hunter Rise and the upcoming Forza Horizon 6 (launching May 19) support advanced features like precompiled shaders to make sure the game launches fast and runs smoothly the first time you play.
