Ultimate Handheld Showdown: ASUS ROG Ally vs Steam Deck

When Does the ASUS ROG Ally Release?

Despite the Steam Deck being on the market since February 2022, the official release of the ROG Ally is scheduled for June 13th. Our team was fortunate enough to receive a unit for testing, allowing us to provide our initial impressions on how playing games on a Windows-based console compares to the experience on the Steam Deck.

3 Images

Close

The ASUS ROG Ally in action during our hands-on preview left us impressed given its significant hardware offerings

The Steam Deck Versus The ASUS ROG Ally: Hardware Specs Head To Head

Steam Deck

ASUS ROG ALLY

Processor/Chipset

Custom ‘Van Gogh’ AMD Zen 2-Based APU

AMD Ryzen Z1 Extreme/ AMD Ryzen Z1 (Zen 4 Cores)

Processor Cores

4

8 (Z1 Extreme) or 6 (Z1)

Processor Threads

8

16(Z1 Extreme) or 12(Z1)

Max CPU Clock Speed

3.5 GHz

5.1 GHz (Z1 Ex), 4.9 GHz (Z1)

Graphics Architecture

AMD RDNA2

AMD RDNA3

GPU Compute Units

8

12 (Z1 Ex), 4(Z1)

Max GPU Clock Speed

1.6 GHz

2.7 GHz (Z1 Ex), 2.5 GHz (Z1)

Maximum APU Power

4-15W

9-30W (AMD Specified)

Chipset Manufacturing Process

7nm

4nm

Cooling Fans

1

2

Memory/RAM

16GB LPDDR5 (5500 MT/S)

16GB LPDDR5 (6400 MT/S)

Storage Options

64GB (eMMC), 256GB, and 512GB with the option to upgrade

Currently available in only 512GB

Storage Standards

PCI-E 3.0 SSD + UHS-I SD Card Support

PCI-E 4.0 SSD + UHS-II SD Card Support

Operating System (OS)

Debian 8 Linux-based Steam OS

Windows 11

Screen Size

7 Inches

7 Inches

Native Resolution

1280x800

1920x1080

Refresh Rate

60Hz

120Hz (With VRR Support)

Peak Brightness

400 Nits

500 Nits

Display Tech

IPS Touchscreen

IPS Touch Screen

Wireless Connectivity

Wi-Fi 5 + BT 5.0

Wi-Fi 6E + BT 5.2

Wired Connectivity

Headphone Jack, USB-C with DP Support

Headphone Jack, USB-C with DP Support

Speakers

2 Front-Facing

2 Front-Facing (Dolby Atmos Certified)

Weight

669g

608g

Dimensions

298x117x49mm

280x113x39mm

Provided Charger

45W

65W

Battery Capacity

40WHr

40WHr

MSRP

$399, $529, $649 Based on capacity

$599, $699 based on processor trim

The Internals: Diving Into What Powers Your Experience

The Chips Powering It All

It's clear that the Steam Deck falls short in meaningful hardware benchmarks compared to the ASUS ROG Ally due to the fundamental differences in the APUs of the two devices. The Steam Deck features quad-core Zen 2 cores, which are now somewhat outdated, while the ROG Ally boasts a much faster octa-core Z1 Extreme processor, giving it a significant advantage in terms of power available to the SoC (up to 15W vs up to 30W on the Ally). It's not a fair comparison, and the ROG Ally easily comes out on top.

The upcoming AMD Z1 Series APUs are set to power several handheld consoles, starting with the ASUS ROG Ally. This is made possible by the improved IPC count of Zen 4 cores compared to the older Zen 2 cores, as well as the high clock speeds of the ROG Ally. In fact, the Z1 Extreme can sustain up to 5.1 GHz if thermally permitted. Additionally, the ROG Ally boasts 12 RDNA 3-based graphics cores, which is a significant improvement over the Steam Deck's 8 RDNA 2-based cores and further solidifies its position as the top-performing console.

Storage & Memory Options

Both the ASUS ROG Ally and Steam Deck come with 16GB of LPDDR5 memory that can be accessed by the APU. Although ASUS has a slight edge with a faster speed of 6400MT/s, the Steam Deck still performs well with a speed of 5500 MT/s, despite being released over a year ago.

The Steam Deck offers a range of internal SSD options, with the 64GB model using eMMC storage, and the 256GB and 512GB models utilizing SSD storage that operates at speeds below the console's maximum capabilities of PCI-E 3.0. The 512GB model boasts slightly faster speeds than the 256GB model. However, it's important to note that the console's speed is limited to two lanes of PCI-E 3.0, resulting in a maximum I/O of approximately 2000mbps, even with faster storage modules. In contrast, the ROG Ally comes with PCI-E 4.0 support and a matching SSD that can reach speeds of up to 5000mbps, surpassing anything that can be achieved on a Steam Deck. While the benefits of this may be debatable in most real-world scenarios, it's a valuable option for those comparing the two devices.

Both consoles offer microSD card support, but the ROG Ally has an advantage over the Steam Deck in terms of UHS-II support, which provides nearly triple the effective speed of the Steam Deck's UHS-I speeds.

Power: Charging & Capacity

Both the Steam Deck and ROG Ally have a 40WH battery, but the ROG Ally may drain more power due to its full HD display and powerful processor running a full-fledged version of Windows. However, efficiency plays a role here, and both devices can perform similarly unless the Ally's Turbo mode is engaged, which typically lasts less than an hour when fully charged. The Steam Deck's adapter has a maximum output of 45W, while the ROG Ally comes with a faster 65W version.

Networking Options & Connectivity

The Steam Deck and ROG Ally both utilize USB-C connectors that not only allow for external display connections and additional device compatibility, but also provide the option to connect to Ethernet ports. While the Steam Deck relies on Wi-Fi 5 (AC) and Bluetooth 5.0 for communication, the ROG Ally boasts the more advanced Wi-Fi 6E and BT 5.2 technologies. However, it is important to note that the absence of Wi-Fi 6 in the Steam Deck is disappointing, given that it has become a mainstream standard and would have greatly improved the wireless internet experience for handheld users, who often struggle with slow download speeds and high latency while gaming. This is especially frustrating considering that most current networking hardware is Wi-Fi 6/6E compatible.

Display & Audio Specifics

The Ally boasts a 7-inch screen with a 16:9 aspect ratio and a bright 500-nit display. Its impressive 120Hz refresh rate and support for up to Full HD resolution, coupled with VRR support, make it a strong contender for the title of best handheld device in terms of display quality.

The Steam Deck boasts a 7-inch screen with a lower HD resolution and a 16:10 aspect ratio, delivering a maximum refresh rate of 60 Hz. In our play tests, we found the display to be fairly sharp, but it pales in comparison to ASUS's offerings, which outshine the Steam Deck's screen. On the audio front, both the Steam Deck and the ROG Ally feature decent speakers, with the latter's Dolby Atmos certified bundled ones providing an edge. Additionally, both devices come with dedicated 3.5mm audio jacks and Bluetooth connectivity for wireless headset use.

The ROG Ally: A Pricey Friend?

The Asus ROG Ally is a dream come true for PC gamers who desire a handheld system that can deliver incredible performance. It boasts of the powerful AMD Ryzen Z1 series of processors that can handle any game with ease. The 7-inch 1080p Full HD display with FreeSync Premium ensures a crystal-clear and seamless gaming experience. What's more, the ROG Ally can run most Windows-compatible games and is also compatible with Xbox Game Pass titles. With its ergonomic design, the ROG Ally is easy to grip, and all buttons are within easy reach, making it a comfortable gaming device for extended gaming sessions.

The ASUS ROG Ally boasts Dolby Atmos-equipped Dimensions 2 Speakers, a playing time of 1.3-4+ hours, and a weight of just 1.34 lbs. Powered by a state-of-the-art Z1 Extreme APU for handheld consoles, it runs a full version of Windows and offers a stunning 7-inch LED IPS display with 1080p output resolution. Additionally, it features 16GB LPDDR5 RAM, 512GB NVMe SSD (PCIe 4) storage, and wireless connectivity options including Wi-Fi and Bluetooth. The Ally also offers wired and wireless headset compatibility, as well as USB-C and Custom Asus PCIe Port ports. While it comes with a hefty price tag of $700, it is an excellent option for console users needing to game on the go and serves as both a handheld console and a laptop replacement with the support of a dock.

Compared to the Steam Deck's $650 512G version, the ROG Ally comes with a higher price tag but also boasts more options, thanks to its adoption of Windows. Unlike the Steam Deck, which requires games to be certified by Steam to run, the ROG Ally can run any game that matches its specifications. Additionally, the ROG Ally's Windows platform offers more flexibility, allowing users to easily install third-party launchers like the Epic Launcher. For those who prioritize customization and modding capabilities, the ROG Ally's Windows operating system may be the superior choice.

The Steam Deck: Acceptable Performance In Many Capacities

The Steam Deck is a game-changer in the world of portable gaming. Created in collaboration with AMD, its custom APU is optimized for handheld gaming, making it a powerful device capable of running the latest AAA games. Its Zen 2 + RDNA 2 architecture allows for efficient power usage, ensuring long play sessions without sacrificing performance.

Valve's Steam Deck has sparked interest in handheld PC gaming, utilizing the latest advancements in power and portability found in laptops and low-powered PCs. The device runs on a customized Debian Linux operating system and offers three different storage options. While slightly heavier and bulkier than the upcoming ASUS ROG Ally, the Steam Deck offers impressive performance for a console that can cost significantly less than its competitors in 2023.

Valve's tight integration with SteamOS can be viewed as a strategic move towards a more streamlined operating system, free from unnecessary bloatware. While the ASUS ROG Ally offers greater versatility with its choice of OS, gamers seeking a seamless integration with their Steam libraries and a console optimized for gaming will find the Steam Deck to be an appealing choice. Backed by Valve's reputation and extensive testing, and with a lower-priced entry-level model starting at $400, the ROG Ally may be a competitor, but it cannot be dismissed as a threat to Valve's innovative creation.

FAQ:

Q: When does the ASUS ROG Ally Release?

Q: Is the ASUS ROG Ally Worth It?

The highly anticipated release of the ASUS ROG Ally is set to take place on June 13, 2023. Consumers can expect to purchase the 512G Z1 Extreme-powered model for $700. Although the ASUS team unveiled a Z1-based $600 model with the same capacity alongside the Ally, it is expected to launch at a later date.

If you prioritize the latest and greatest technology in your handheld console and are willing to pay a premium price, the ROG Ally is a top contender in the market. However, if you are looking for a more affordable option that still offers an enjoyable gaming experience, the Steam Deck is a wise choice for most consumers, especially with its convenient trackpad feature.