Steam Deck vs ASUS ROG Ally: Which is Better?

When it comes to portable gaming, two names have been making waves recently: the Steam Deck from Valve and the ASUS ROG Ally.

Both devices promise to deliver high-quality gaming experiences on the go, but which one is truly the better option? Let’s dive in and find out.

ASUS ROG Ally vs Steam Deck

ASUS ROG Ally

The ASUS ROG Ally is a gaming smartphone that’s designed to take your mobile gaming experience to the next level. It’s powered by a Qualcomm Snapdragon 888 processor, which is one of the most powerful mobile processors on the market. The device also boasts a 6.78-inch AMOLED display with a 144Hz refresh rate, ensuring smooth and vibrant visuals.

The ROG Ally comes with up to 16GB of RAM and 512GB of storage, providing plenty of space for all your favorite games. It also features a 6000mAh battery, which ASUS claims can provide up to 10 hours of gameplay on a single charge.

The device also includes a range of gaming-specific features, such as AirTrigger 5, which allows you to map touch controls to physical buttons, and X Mode, which optimizes the device’s performance for gaming.

Here’s a more comprehensive detail about the ASUS ROG Ally specs.

Steam Deck

On the other hand, we have the Steam Deck, Valve’s handheld gaming device that aims to bring the full power of PC gaming to a portable form factor. The device is powered by a custom AMD APU, which combines a quad-core Zen 2 CPU with RDNA 2 graphics. This allows the Steam Deck to run the latest AAA games at acceptable frame rates.

The Steam Deck features a 7-inch touchscreen with a resolution of 1280×800 pixels. It comes with three different storage options: 64GB eMMC, 256GB NVMe SSD, or 512GB NVMe SSD.

The device also features a 40Whr battery, which Valve claims can provide between 2 to 8 hours of gameplay, depending on the game and settings.

Performance

When it comes to performance, both devices are impressive in their own right. The ASUS ROG Ally’s Snapdragon 888 processor is more than capable of running the most demanding mobile games, while the Steam Deck’s AMD APU can handle even the most graphically intensive PC games like Elden Ring.

However, it’s important to note that the Steam Deck is essentially a portable PC, meaning it can run a wider range of games than the ROG Ally, which is limited to mobile games. This could be a significant advantage for the Steam Deck, especially for gamers who want to play their favorite PC games on the go.

Battery Life

In terms of battery life, the ASUS ROG Ally seems to have the upper hand. With its 6000mAh battery, it can provide up to 10 hours of gameplay, while the Steam Deck’s 40Wh battery only offers between 2 to 8 hours.

However, it’s worth noting that the actual battery life will depend on the game and settings, so your mileage may vary.

Price

Price is another important factor to consider. The ASUS ROG Ally starts at around $999, while the Steam Deck starts at $399 for the 64GB model, $529 for the 256GB model, and $649 for the 512GB model.

This makes the Steam Deck a more affordable option, especially for gamers on a budget.

Conclusion

So, which is better: the ASUS ROG Ally or the Steam Deck? It ultimately depends on what you’re looking for in a portable gaming device. If you’re a fan of mobile games and want a device with long battery life, the ASUS ROG Ally could be the better choice.

However, if you want the ability to play a wider range of games, including PC games, and are looking for a more affordable option, the Steam Deck might be the way to go.

Remember, both devices offer impressive performance and unique features. Even for a relatively new kid in town, the ASUS ROG Ally is already acknowledged as a competitor by Steam Deck. So, you can’t really go wrong with either.

It’s all about finding the one that best suits your gaming needs and preferences.