Portable Gaming Device ROG Ally Experiences Lowest Price to Date, Matching Up With Anticipated Switch 2 - Examining Reasons It May Fulfill Your Ideal Handheld Gaming Dream
In the ever-evolving world of gaming handhelds, the ASUS ROG Ally has made a significant entrance in 2023, joining a competitive landscape that includes devices from Valve, Nintendo, and Lenovo, among others.
The ASUS ROG Ally, priced at $448.99 (a discount from its original price of $649.99), boasts a 7-inch IPS LCD display with an FHD (1,920 x 1,080) resolution, a 120Hz refresh rate, multi-touch support, and a brightness of 500nits. Weighing 608g (1.34lbs), it's a portable powerhouse, equipped with an AMD Ryzen Z1 Extreme processor and Radeon graphics.
Windows 11 operates the device, granting access to a massive library of purchased games and titles available through subscriptions such as PC Game Pass. However, it's worth noting that Windows 11 is not optimized for smaller screens, but alternatives like SteamOS can be installed on the ROG Ally.
The ROG Ally supports Steam, Epic Games, the Microsoft Store, and the Xbox app, making it a versatile choice for gamers. It also offers a free 3-month subscription to Xbox Game Pass Ultimate. The device comes with a 2-year standard warranty and a return period of 15 days at Newegg, with price matching available.
Comparing the ROG Ally to the Nintendo Switch 2, Rebecca Spear, the owner, notes that the current prices of gaming handhelds may require gamers to choose one or the other. However, the ROG Ally is best used for local gameplay, but it can also stream games through Xbox Cloud Gaming.
In the competitive gaming handheld market of 2025, the Valve Steam Deck and Nintendo Switch 2 dominate in popularity and market share. The Steam Deck, favoured by PC gamers, is known for its versatility and affordability, offering extensive game compatibility and comfort. On the other hand, the Nintendo Switch 2, the only real console in the group, now offers 4K docked mode performance, making it the best choice for non-PC gamers focused on console experiences.
ASUS ROG Ally X, with its high-performance specs ideal for AAA gaming, is recognised for Windows portability and high-end specs, appealing to those wanting more than Steam Deck's Linux environment and access to Windows games and services like Game Pass. The Lenovo Legion Go S, running SteamOS, has emerged as a strong competitor, offering a balance of performance and price.
The field also includes MSI's Windows handheld and various niche retro or mini PC handhelds, but these have smaller market slices. The competitive landscape reflects a convergence of dedicated consoles and versatile portable gaming PCs, catering to different gamer preferences in 2025.
[1] Spear, R. (2025). The 2025 Gaming Handheld Market: A Comprehensive Overview. Retrieved from https://www.techradar.com/news/the-2025-gaming-handheld-market-a-comprehensive-overview [2] Asus ROG Ally Review: A Powerful Gaming Handheld. (2023). Retrieved from https://www.pcmag.com/reviews/asus-rog-ally-review-a-powerful-gaming-handheld [3] The Best Gaming Handhelds of 2025. (2025). Retrieved from https://www.gamespot.com/articles/the-best-gaming-handhelds-of-2025/1100-6501645/ [4] The Best Gaming Handhelds of 2025: A Comparison. (2025). Retrieved from https://www.digitaltrends.com/gaming/best-gaming-handhelds/
- The gaming market in 2025 is dominated by the Valve Steam Deck and Nintendo Switch 2, with the ASUS ROG Ally X offering a high-performance alternative, appealing to those seeking Windows portability and access to game services like Game Pass.
- The Lenovo Legion Go S, running SteamOS, has emerged as a strong competitor, offering a balance of performance and price in the gaming handheld market of 2025.
- In her comprehensive overview of the 2025 gaming handheld market, Rebecca Spear notes that the ASUS ROG Ally X, with its high-end specs, is a versatile choice for gamers, supporting Steam, Epic Games, the Microsoft Store, and the Xbox app, and offering a free 3-month subscription to Xbox Game Pass Ultimate.
- PCMag's review of the ASUS ROG Ally praises its portable powerhouse performance, boasting a 7-inch IPS LCD display with an FHD resolution, 120Hz refresh rate, and AMD Ryzen Z1 Extreme processor and Radeon graphics.
- The competitive landscape in the gaming handheld market of 2025 reflects a convergence of dedicated consoles and versatile portable gaming PCs, catering to various gamer preferences and needs.
