Asus's OLED Xbox Ally X20 Special Edition fixes the two biggest complaints about the original

A larger OLED screen and a redesigned interface address the handheld's most persistent criticisms — but key specs are still unconfirmed.

Written by Lena Armitage · Bureau Tech · Jun 1, 2026

The screen upgrade the original needed

When Asus launched the Xbox Ally X — its Windows-based handheld built in partnership with Microsoft — the hardware drew praise for its performance but consistent criticism for its display. The LCD panel felt small relative to the device's footprint, and the bezel around it was wide enough to be distracting. For a device meant to compete with Valve's Steam Deck and Nintendo's Switch, that was a meaningful gap.

The Xbox Ally X20 Special Edition, announced June 1, 2026, swaps in an OLED panel — OLED (organic light-emitting diode) displays produce deeper blacks and higher contrast than LCD by lighting each pixel individually rather than using a backlight. The screen is also described as larger, though Asus had not released exact dimensions at the time of the announcement.

The Verge, which first reported the announcement, noted that the new display addresses what its reviewer would have flagged as the top hardware request for the device.

Software changes, but Windows stays

The second change is to the device's interface. The original Xbox Ally X shipped with a "Library" section in its launcher that users found confusing or redundant. The X20 Special Edition appears to remove or substantially revise this element, though the specifics of the new UI were not fully detailed in the announcement.

What hasn't changed: the operating system. The Xbox Ally X20 still runs Windows, which has been the most persistent structural complaint about the entire Ally line. Windows was not designed for handheld gaming — its update behavior, sleep/wake reliability, and touch-and-controller navigation all require workarounds that competitors running purpose-built software don't. Asus and Microsoft have iterated on the experience, but the underlying tension remains. A better screen doesn't resolve that.

What we don't know yet

At announcement, Asus had not confirmed:

- The exact display size or resolution - Whether internal specs (processor, RAM, storage tiers) change from the Ally X - Pricing - Release date or regional availability

That's a meaningful amount of missing information for a product announcement. It's worth holding enthusiasm in proportion to what's actually been confirmed: a new screen type and a UI tweak. Both are real improvements if they hold up — OLED panels have made a measurable difference on devices like the Steam Deck OLED and the Switch OLED — but the full picture isn't here yet.

Context: the handheld PC market is getting crowded

The Xbox Ally X20 arrives into a handheld PC market that has grown significantly more competitive since the original Ally launched. Valve continues to update the Steam Deck, Lenovo has its Legion Go line, and MSI competes with the Claw series. Each device makes different tradeoffs on weight, battery life, screen quality, and software ecosystem.

An OLED screen is now closer to table stakes than a differentiator in this segment — the Steam Deck OLED launched in late 2023. What Asus and Microsoft need to demonstrate is that the Windows experience on the X20 has improved enough to justify the platform's complexity. The screen is a good start. It's not the whole argument.

Key takeaways

Asus announced the Xbox Ally X20 Special Edition with an OLED display, replacing the LCD panel on the original Xbox Ally X.
The new screen is described as larger, addressing complaints that the original's display made games feel 'claustrophobic' with excessive bezel.
The device also features a redesigned interface, apparently removing or replacing the 'Library' element that drew criticism on the original.
Windows remains the underlying OS — a known friction point that the hardware revision does not address.
Pricing and a firm release date had not been announced at time of writing.

FAQ

What is the Xbox Ally X20 Special Edition?

It is a revised version of Asus's Xbox Ally X handheld gaming PC, announced in June 2026. The key changes are an OLED display and a redesigned software interface. It still runs Windows.

How does OLED differ from the LCD on the original Xbox Ally X?

OLED (organic light-emitting diode) displays light each pixel individually, producing deeper blacks, higher contrast, and generally more vivid colors than LCD panels, which rely on a separate backlight. The difference is most visible in dark scenes and in varied lighting conditions.

Is the Xbox Ally X20 available to buy now?

No. As of the announcement on June 1, 2026, Asus had not confirmed pricing, a release date, or regional availability.

Does the X20 fix the Windows software problems on the original Ally X?

Not structurally. The device still runs Windows, which has been the most common complaint about the Ally line. Asus revised the launcher interface, but the underlying OS and its associated friction points remain.

How does this compare to the Steam Deck OLED?

Both devices now use OLED displays, but they run different operating systems — the Steam Deck uses Valve's SteamOS, a Linux-based system optimized for handheld gaming, while the Xbox Ally X20 runs Windows. Full spec comparisons aren't possible until Asus releases complete details on the X20.

Citations

Asus just announced the OLED Xbox Ally X of my dreamsAsus announced the Xbox Ally X20 Special Edition with an OLED display and a larger screen, addressing the two main criticisms of the original Xbox Ally X.
The Verge RSS FeedBureau research source confirming The Verge as the originating publication for the Xbox Ally X20 announcement.
Steam Deck OLED reviewReference context: OLED displays have been available in the handheld PC gaming segment since Valve launched the Steam Deck OLED in late 2023, establishing the technology as a known quantity in this market.