HIGHLIGHTS
* ASUS ROG Ally has been confirmed to launch on May 11th.
* The upcoming gaming handheld console will be launched in two variants.
* The upcoming ASUS ROG Ally is slated to have a 7-inch screen.
* ASUS ROG Ally is smaller than Steam Deck.
* ASUS ROG Ally has a better screen under Steam Deck.
* ASUS ROG Ally & the Steam Deck have the same amount of the Storage.
* ASUS ROG Ally is more powerful than the Steam Deck.
* ASUS ROG Ally battery life will be about the same as the Steam Deck.
* ASUS ROG Ally will likely be more expensive than the Steam Deck.
Asus has unveiled a trailer for their upcoming handheld gaming device, competing with Valve’s highly-anticipated Steam Deck.
However, the timing of the trailer’s release on April 1st led some to believe that it was a cleverly crafted April Fool joke.
Despite the skepticism, Asus has since confirmed that the device is real and will soon hit the market as soon as the Taiwanese manufacturer confirms the Asus ROG Ally’s official launch date.
The highly anticipated handheld gaming console will be unveiled on May 11 at 10 am in New York, 3 pm in London, and 10 pm in Taipei.
Taiwanese tech giant ASUS announced that it is launching its PC gaming handheld on May 11th. However, ahead of its launch, the price of the upcoming device has been leaked by The Verge.
With the new product, the company aims to compete against Steam Deck, developed by Valve.
Meanwhile, the company has not provided any information except for the launch date. However, a recent leak offered several details about the upcoming product. Take a look at the available information.
ASUS ROG Ally Price Leaked
The top-end ASUS ROG Ally will cost $699.99 (about Rs 57,240). This is for the model with an AMD Z1 Extreme chip, 512GB SSD, and 16GB of RAM, citing tipsters Roland Quandt and SnoopyTech, the report said.
The basic model with an AMD Z1 processor, on the other hand, is likely to cost $599 or $549 (around Rs 49,000 or Rs 45,000).
ASUS ROG Ally Specifications (Expected)
Display: The upcoming ASUS ROG Ally is slated to have a 7-inch screen with a refresh rate of 120Hz, a 16:9 aspect ratio, and a peak brightness of 500nits.
Storage: The top-end model of the upcoming gaming system will come with 16GB of DDR5 RAM and 512GB of SSD storage. To increase storage, it will have a dedicated microSD card slot.
Variants: It will be launched in two variants – AMD Ryzen Z1 for the basic model and Ryzen Z1 Extreme processors for the top-end model.
OS: The device will run Windows 11 right out of the box, which means it will work with Steam, EA apps, Epic Games, and Xbox game pass.
Sound: The ASUS ROG Ally will also support Dolby Atmos audio technology for better sound quality.
Battery: The upcoming device can be charged from 0 to 50 per cent with the 65W USB-C power in 30 minutes, as per the report.
Where to buy the Asus ROG Ally
The Asus ROG Ally is not currently up for pre-order, but you will be able to get on a waitlist for access to the device over at Best Buy.
Asus ROG Ally Price
The Asus ROG Ally will cost $699 according to a leaked best buy listing. Weexpect that the Asus ROG Ally’s official price will be revealed on May 11.
Looking at the circumstances of the Steam Deck’s pricing, and the various competitors struggling to compete, it’s likely that Asus wanted to avoid being priced higher than Valve, in order to make a consumer-friendly competitor.
Reliable Twitter leaker Harukaze5719 has unearthed screenshots that indicate that the ROG Ally may in fact retail for around $649-699, in line with the highest-end Steam Deck. This is simply a rumor, so be sure to take this with a pinch of salt.
The low cost of the Steam Deck was subsidized by Valve’s cash and the hope that sales of software would help recuperate the investment.
Meanwhile, the much more expensive competition could give us a better indication of the price of ROG’s Ally, but it appears that Asus is keen to make a dent in the market, and may price the device in-line with Valve’s highest-end Steam Deck.
While devices like the Ayaneo 2, GPD Win 4, and others sport much better specs than the Steam Deck, this causes them to be costly. The Ayaneo 2 is around $400 more than the top-end Steam Deck.
We’re also expecting a small premium to be tacked onto the price tag due to the inclusion of Windows 11. Microsoft, despite wanting as many users on the platform as possible, will still charge manufacturers for the licenses.
However, if the current rumor is to be believed, then the Asus ROG Ally could be one of the most competitive Windows handhelds ever created.
Asus ROG Ally Release Date Speculation
The Asus ROG Ally is likely to launch shortly after its May 11 “global launch event”. With this in mind and Computex coming up, we’d expect to hear about the release date sooner than later.
According to ASUS, and reported via Linus Tech Tips, the ASUS ROG Ally will be released in Summer 2023. The exact statement is “the next two months”, so we’re expecting further information regarding the brand-new handheld console very soon.
This is a fairly speedy rollout, and we’d hope to find that the ROG Ally will be available worldwide upon its launch.
Asus has further reiterated this through a tweet made in mid-April, claiming that the handheld will be released sooner than you might think.
Interestingly, it also clarified that the device will be launched globally, and it will not be a region-specific release.
Asus ROG Ally Specifications
The Asus ROG Ally will be using a newly released Z1 processor from AMD. The APU is considerably more powerful than its competitors, especially the Ayaneo 2. Recent leaks suggested the Z1 chip would be comparable to or based on the Zen 47840U processor with Radeon 780M graphics.
Interestingly, ASUS confirmed that there will be no Thunderbolt 4 support for the ASUS ROG Ally, in a statement given to Linus Tech Tips.
Instead, the company will focus on its own proprietary solution in the ASUS ROG XG, an external graphics unit.
Valve currently powers the Steam Deck with another custom AMD APU – Van Gogh -a chip that combines both GPU and CPU into one.
These are often designed for mobile devices, but in recent years, AMD’s APUs have proven to be exceptionally powerful for what they are.
We recently tested the Ayaneo 2’s 6800U, which is incredibly powerful, and you can expect the ROG Ally to be a step up from that.
Asus ROG Ally vs Steam Deck: Specs Overview
The ROG Ally is built with a custom AMD Ryzen Z1 Series processor, RDNA 3 graphics, a 7-inch 1920×1080-pixel IPS 500-nit display with a 120Hz refresh rate and 7ms response time, 16GB of LPDDR5 RAM, 512GB of PCIe Gen4 SSD storage and an extra open slot.
The ROG Ally also has dual front facing speakers and a “zero gravity thermal system” which ensures it can be rotated 360-degrees without detriment to its performance.
The Steam Deck is built with an AMD Zen 2 processor, RDNA 2 graphics, a 7-inch 1280 x 800-pixel, 400-nit display with a 60Hz refresh rate, 16GB of LPDDR5 RAM and either 64GB of eMMC or 256GB/512GB of NVMe SSD storage.
It’s no shock that the ROG Ally is coming out of the gates with better hardware than the Steam Deck, as the latter is more than a year old now.
Winner: Asus ROG Ally
Asus ROG Ally vs Steam Deck: Graphics
The ROG Ally’s graphical power is set to be superior all-around compared with Steam Deck. RDNA 3 is an undeniable improvement over RDNA 2, with AMD claiming that it offers a 50% performance-per-watt increase.
Even if it doesn’t end up being that much better, we’re confident it will deliver superior performance to the Steam Deck.
DNA 3 features second generation ray tracing and AMD Infinity Cache (enhances VRAM efficiency), alongside new features like Al Acceleration, AMD Radiance Display Engine (12-bit HDR) and chiplet design. We’d frankly be surprised if the ROG Ally wasn’t considerably stronger.
Winner: Asus ROG Ally
Asus ROG Ally vs Steam Deck: Display
The ROG Ally’s display should hold a crushing victory over the Steam Deck, but we can’t say for certain until testing is done. On paper at the very least, the ROG Ally is superior in virtually every metric with its 1920×1080-resolution, advertised 500-nit brightness and 120Hz refresh rate.
Both displays are 7-inch IPS LCD screens, but the Steam Deck falls short with its 1280×800 resolution, advertised 400 nits of brightness and 60Hz refresh rate.
However, until we know for certain how well it scores in our DCI-P3 tests and brightness tests, the Steam Deck could still come back. Resolution and refresh rate aren’t the end all be all of displays, and if we see Valve’s handheld pull ahead in those other categories, deciding the victor won’t be so easy.
Winner: Asus ROG Ally
Asus ROG Ally vs Steam Deck: Storage and RAM
The ROG Ally features a PCIe 4.0 SSD, while the Steam Deck is stuck with PCIe 3.0. While this isn’t necessarily the end of the world, the former is faster than the latter.
However, Steam Deck benefits from more storage options anywhere from 64GB to 512GB, although the eMMC isn’t anywhere near as speedy as the SSD options.
Both devices feature 16GB of LPDDR5 RAM and an additional microSD card slot for additional expansion. While the ROG Ally is likely a little faster in SSD speed, we think the Steam Deck’s additional options make this race close.
Winner: Draw
Asus ROG Ally vs Steam Deck: Size and Weight
The ROG Ally (1.33 pounds, 11 x 4.4 x 1.5 inches) is both lighter and smaller than the Steam Deck (1.47 pounds, 11.7 x 4.6 x 1.9 inches), meaning it’ll be more convenient to bring with you on the go. This isn’t at a detriment to screen size either, as both handhelds feature a 7-inch display.
Smaller isn’t a definitively positive trait, as some might prefer the slightly longer or wider handheld, but it’s hard to deny that thinner and lighter should be in the ROG Ally’s favor for a handheld gaming PC.
Winner: Asus ROG Ally
Asus ROG Ally vs Steam Deck: Software
The Ally runs Windows 11 and is fully compatible with Steam, the EA App, Epic Games, Xbox Game Pass, Ubisoft Connect, Battle.net and “more” straight out of the box.
This is huge when compared to the Steam Deck, which operates based on SteamOS and runs Steam exclusively. After all, it is a Steam machine, but it does have a bit more potential within.
As SteamOS is based on Linux architecture, some fiddling around can allow the system to download tons of different applications besides Steam, but that extra tinkering can be inconvenient.
Xbox Game Pass games can be played through Steam Deck by using Xbox Cloud Gaming, but it’s not built-in automatically. With the ROG Ally, this capability is available right out of the box.
It’s hard to deny that the ROG Ally having Epic Games, the EA App, Xbox Game Pass, Ubisoft Connect, and Battle.net over the Steam Deck is an enormous boon.
It’s a far more convenient machine to use out of the box for this reason, especially for subscribers of Game Pass or those with tons of unplayed titles on Epic Games (I fulfill both of these criteria).
It’s also hard not to let my creativity run wild here, as the inclusion of Battle.net makes me wonder if I can play a bit of WoW through it.
However, we’re still uncertain how deeply some tech savvy users can customize the ROG Ally.
Linux architecture is more malleable than a Windows 11 operating system, so if you’re someone who likes to mess around with software and modify your handheld device to be capable of new things, hold out until we have more knowledge on what the ROG Ally can do.
The ROG Ally also features Armoury Crate, which offers key binding customization, performance profiles and a control panel overlay. You can also map through gamepad, keyboard/mouse and desktop modes.
While these features aren’t enough of a dealbreaker to completely destroy Steam Deck, it is convenient to have. It also features Windows Hello for fingerprint unlocking.
The ROG Ally is shaping up to be the Steam Deck killer with the final nail in Valve’s coffin being price point.
If Asus will sell the 512GB model of its upcoming handheld for less than or exactly $649, it will be directly competing with Valve’s pricing. Considering the superior specifications, there would be an easy winner in this race.
But if the ROG Ally is more expensive, Steam Deck will reign as the budget pick. That’s a fine alternative too, as the leaked pricing wouldn’t be surprising considering what we’ve seen of the ROG Ally thus far: It is certainly the more powerful handheld, alongside its broader software support. Overall the Asus ROG Ally wins this matchup as the current champion handheld gaming PC.
Asus ROG Ally vs Steam Deck: Specs
| Header Cell – Column 0 |
Asus ROG Ally |
Steam Deck |
| Price |
$699 (reportedly) |
$399 to start, $649 for 512GB model |
| Chipset |
Custom AMD Zen 4 APU |
Custom AMD Zen 2 APU |
| Storage |
512GB |
64 – 512GB |
| OS |
Windows 11 |
SteamOS |
| Display |
7-inch 1080p LCD touchscreen @ 120Hz |
7-inch 720p LCD touchscreen @ 60Hz |
| Ports |
1x USB-C port, 1x PCIe port, 1x headphone jack |
1 USB-C, 1 3.5 mm audio jack, 1 microSD card reader |
| Size |
11.0 x 4.4 x 0.5 inches |
11.73 x 4.6 x 1.93 inches |
| Weight |
1.3 pounds |
1.47 pounds |
| Battery life |
8 hours (claimed) |
3 hours 51 mins (as tested) |
FAQ’s on ASUS ROG Ally
1) Is the Steam Deck or the Asus ROG Ally bigger?
Ans) The Steam Deck is slightly larger than the Asus ROG. The Deck is 11.7 x 4.6 x 1.9 inches, while the Ally is a little slimmer, coming in at 11 x 4.4 x 1.5 inches. The difference is almost tiny, but the reduction in thickness, however small, may make handling it for longer periods of time more comfortable.
The Ally is also 0.13 pounds lighter, down to roughly 1.3 pounds compared to the Steam Deck’s 1.47 pounds Both are still much larger than the Nintendo Switch OLED, if you have one to use as a base.
2) Steam Deck vs. Asus ROG Ally: Screen size Comparison? Details
Ans) The Steam Deck and ROG Ally have the same 7-inch screen and both are LCD screens. However, that’s where the similarities end.
The Deck’s max resolution is 1280x800p, which just barely meets the mark as an HD screen. The Ally’s screen caps out at 1920x1080p, which is full HD and a noticeably higher visual quality. Games on the Ally will look better and have a deeper color range as a result.
3) Asus ROG Ally: Here’s what we know?
Ans) Asus’ latest handheld gaming device, the ROG Ally, boasts a design similar to the popular Nintendo Switch and Steam Deck. On the left side, users will find an analog stick and a D-pad, while on the right, there are face buttons and another analog stick placed at an offset angle. Both sides come with two vents and two navigation buttons, while the top section houses power and volume buttons, a USB-C port, and a headphone jack. There are also additional air vents at the top; the back has two buttons and more air vents.
According to Dave2D, the ROG Ally measures 11.0 x 4.4 x 0.5 inches and weighs 1.3 pounds (0.58 kg), making it smaller and lighter than the Steam Deck, which measures 11.73 x 4.60 x 1.93 inches and weighs 1.5 pounds (0.68 kg). The ROG Ally has a 7-inch display with a maximum refresh rate of 120Hz and a resolution of 1920 x 1080p, with Asus claiming it can hit 500 nits of brightness.
In contrast, the Steam Deck’s 7-inch display has a maximum resolution of 1280 x 800 and a 60Hz refresh rate, and Valve states that it can hit 400 nits of brightness.
Asus claims that the ROG Ally has double the performance of the Steam Deck thanks to the custom Zen 4 RDNA3 4nm APU from AMD, which allows for higher graphics settings without sacrificing performance. Dave2D couldn’t go into further detail, but he expressed confidence in AMD’s performance claims based on his experience with the device.
4) Asus ROG Ally vs Steam Deck: price and availability. Details ?
Ans) While we don’t have official confirmation of the price, there’s been an Asus ROG Ally price leak which reveals that the premium model is set to come in at S699 – approximately £560 / AU$1,058, but remember that regional pricing is rarely a straight conversion. That’s just $50 more than the premium Steam Deck model and means the base model of the Asus ROG Ally will be even cheaper.
The Steam Deck, on the other hand, comes in at £349 / $399 / AUS599 for the 64GB
edition, which doesn’t contain an SSD. It’s then £459 / $529 / AU$795 for the 256GB
NVMe SSD edition and £569 / $649 / AU$975 for the 512GB NVMe SSD version. All Australian prices are rough conversations as the device actually isn’t available in Australia and Valve hasn’t confirmed plans to change this any time soon.
Also Read: ASUS Zenfone 10 with Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 SoC, 16GB RAM spotted on Geekbench ahead of launch
Also Read: ASUS launches ExpertBook B1402 and B1502 Business Laptops in India – A True Game Changer in their Segment: Features, Specs, Price & More
Also Read: ASUS ROG Phone 7, ROG Phone 7 Ultimate with Snapdragon 8 Gen 2, 165Hz display, 6000mAh battery launched in India: price, specifications & availability
