Learn about ASUS ROG Ally, a Steam Deck competitor

When talking about handheld console games, the most popular devices are Nintendo Switch and Steam Deck. And despite the popularity of smartphone gaming, demand for handheld console games is growing again.

ASUS, one of the largest manufacturers of gaming laptops, PCs and peripherals, saw this need and entered the game with ROG Ally.

So what is ROG Ally? And when can you get your hands on it?

ASUS announces Steam Deck competitor

On April 1, 2023, the ROG Global YouTube channel posted a video called "ROG Ally – ROG's First Gaming Handheld Console". But because of the video's length and cheesy voiceover, many people considered the announcement an April Fool's Day joke.

But a few days later, preview videos from two YouTube channels: Dave2D and Linus Tech Tips were posted. Along with these videos, ASUS has opened up the ROG Ally page, where you can sign up to receive notifications when the handheld console becomes available for pre-order.

What is ROG Ally?

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ROG Ally is a handheld console running Windows 11 with the same size and layout as the Steam Deck. Since the device is still a prototype, exact specifications are not available yet. But here are the notable things reviewers noticed with ROG Ally:

1. 7 inch 16:9 screen.
2. Full HD 1080p resolution at 500 nits.
3. 120 Hz refresh rate with 5ms response time.
4. AMD Zen4 RDNA3 4nm APU.

ASUS's latest handheld console also has a wealth of ports and system controls. You get a 3.5mm combo headphone jack, a microSD UHS-II card slot, and a USB-C port that connects to the ASUS ROG XG Mobile discrete GPU. If you are planning to buy a GPU for Asus ROG laptops and ROG Ally consoles in the future, you should see what you must know about discrete GPUs.

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Because Ally runs Windows 11, you're not limited to specific app and game stores like Steam Deck. You can run titles from other publishers and stores, like EA Play, Epic Games, Xbox, and of course Steam.

In addition to the console, you also get a 65-watt adapter that will charge the Ally via the USB-C port, has an additional USB-A port, and also serves as an HDMI output for it. So the adapter included in the box can also act as a kind of dock.

After all, if you're going to plug your handheld console into your TV, you should also plug it into a power outlet to avoid draining the device's battery.

When will ROG Ally officially launch? What will the price be?

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ASUS does not have a specific release date for the ROG Ally at the time of writing. ASUS has also not announced any intended price for this device. However, Dave2D says its pricing will be very competitive.

Therefore, you can refer to the specifications and prices of available Steam Deck models. The basic 64GB Steam Deck with eMMC storage costs $399, while the 256GB Steam Deck equipped with an NVMe SSD costs $529. If you choose the top-end 512GB Steam Deck, you'll have to shell out $649.

If ASUS aims for competitive pricing, the ROG Ally will be around the same price - between $400 and $700, depending on storage capacity.

Regarding the launch date, hopefully this handheld console will appear on store shelves this year. While ASUS didn't announce when users can start buying its console, the fact that the company showed everyone the prototype and even let Dave2D try it out for a week means production is on its way. is proceeding smoothly.

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So, if predictions are to be believed, the device will launch in October 2023 - just in time to promote the product and boost sales for Christmas. Again, this is just an assumption, as ASUS has not yet revealed when users can get the ROG Ally.

The handheld console gaming market is heating up

The Nintendo Switch has revived handheld console gaming, and the Steam Deck is like the catalyst that blew everything up. While there are other small handheld console manufacturers, like AYANEO and GPD, none have as much money and brand recognition as Nintendo and Steam.

With the entry of ASUS into this highly competitive market, Nintendo and Steam will be forced to offer incentives and offer better hardware to retain their customers. These developments will help handheld console gaming stand up against the rising tide of smartphone gaming.

Jessica Tanner

Update 19 October 2023