Asus ROG Ally Review: The Ultimate Handheld

There has been a resurgence in the handheld gaming console market. While Nintendo Switch laid most of the groundwork, shipping over 130 million units by June 2023, last year, Valve released the Steam Deck- a handheld console that ran the entirety of the Steam library. Over 1.6 million Steam Decks were shipped in 2022; this year, that number is estimated to increase by twofold.

As per a report by Fact.MR, the global demand for handheld gaming consoles will only increase, taking the current $15 billion market cap to $27 billion by the end of 2033. Factors such as cloud gaming, availability of 5G connectivity, increasing number of gamers and rising disposable income will lead to a surge in portable video game consoles.

With the rising demand for mobile and portable video gaming, it's no surprise that more companies are investing in handheld gaming devices and experiences than ever before.

So when Asus, a major player in the PC and computing market, launched the ROG Ally in July, it seemed like a giant leap into the future of gaming experiences. The Ally is a first-of-its-kind handheld device running on Windows 11 and is powered by the AMD Z1 Extreme APU. Unlike the Nintendo Switch and the Steam Deck, Ally's uniqueness lies in its ability to blend portability with console-grade gaming.

But does it make sense to shell out ₹69,990 for a handheld when you can get a PS5 or the Xbox Series S at half the price? 

Design and Build Quality

The Asus ROG Ally boasts a futuristic, ergonomic design that immediately catches the eye. The 14-degree slant on both lower ends ensures a comfortable grip, making it easy to hold for extended periods. Weighing in at 608 grams, it isn't entirely lightweight, but the design of Ally ensures a comfortable in-hand feel, which is what you're looking for when it comes to handhelds. It also happens to be a lot slimmer than the Steam Deck, measuring 0.83-inches (21mm).

The rear design features triangle textures for a better grip and strategically placed shoulder buttons enhance overall ergonomics, allowing for precise control during intense gameplay. The customizable RGB ring lights (because what even is a gaming handheld without a dash of RGB lighting) on the thumbsticks support Aura Sync and allow you to personalize it from various options.

Overall, the ROG Ally is designed to feel like you're holding a gamepad, and there's a sense of portability here that will let you experience gaming on the go. It helps that its stylish and sort-of cyberpunk-ish design makes it stand out. However, my two qualms with the Ally include the absence of a black colourway and the fact that you have to buy the protective case separately. 

Display and Audio

The display is the centrepiece of any handheld, and the ROG Ally is no different. It features a 7-inch Full HD resolution display with a peak maximum brightness of 500 nits. The display offers vibrant and sharp visuals, while the 120Hz refresh rate provides smooth and responsive gameplay. The ROG Ally supports Adaptive Sync technology to eliminate tearing and artefacts during gameplay. 

Gaming is all about visuals and audio; the ROG Ally excels in both departments. The display offers crystal clear graphics, making even the most minor details quite legible and sufficiently sized to enjoy the gaming experience.

On the audio front, the Ally supports virtual 5.1.2-channel surround sound powered by Dolby Atmos. However, you will have to use a headphone in crowded places. Additionally, users receive a lifetime subscription to the Dolby Access app, allowing them to fine-tune the audio to their preferences.

Performance & Software

The ROG Ally delivers outstanding gaming performance for a handheld device. Under the hood, the Asus ROG Ally is powered by the AMD Z1 Extreme CPU, featuring eight cores and 16 threads. This powerhouse of a CPU can reach clock speeds of up to 5.10 GHz, delivering exceptional performance, gaming or otherwise.

It supports AMD Radeon Super Resolution and FidelityFX Super Resolution, which enhances gaming visuals and performance. The device also allows you to optimize your experience between three performance modes, ranging from Silent 10W TDP to high-performance gaming at 30W TDP with Turbo mode. However, note that the Turbo mode only engages when the Ally is plugged in. And this is where you will hear the fans inside go on an overdrive to keep the Ally running cool.

The dual fan design enhances heat dissipation, keeping the device cool even under heavy workloads. The ROG Ally features an Anti-Gravity thermal system with special heat pipes to ensure efficient heat dissipation.

In games such as Forza Horizon 5, Control, FIFA 23, Cricket 22, Mortal Kombat 11 and Shadow of Tomb Raider, the Ally delivered consistent FPS that we measured through the built-in Real-Time Monitor from the Command Center. During my time with the Ally, I remained glued to the Hot Wheels Park in Forza and it was a lot of fun racing on those tracks. I also paired a Xbox Wireless Controller and huddled up against friends in games like Cricket 22 and Mortal Kombat. However, titles designed to be played with a mouse and keyboard, like Cyberpunk 2077, have a bit of learning curve when you fire it up on the Ally. 

The ROG Ally gives you a familiar experience: it is a Windows 11 machine with a touchscreen. But this is where the line between a handheld and a laptop starts to blur. Suppose you connect it to a keyboard and a mouse. In that case, it's no different from a compact laptop, and it's this feeling that begins to creep in once you realize that Asus makes excellent hardware. Still, the software experience could have been refined further for a handheld gaming system like the Ally.

Don't get me wrong, it's not like Asus didn't try to solve this issue. An Armory Crate SE app onboard the Ally simplifies your gaming experience by aggregating all your games from various platforms into one place. It also allows you to customize key functions and seamlessly switch between desktop mode, keyboard mouse mode, or gamepad mode. There's even a dedicated Armory Crate button that lets you jump straight into the game library.

Connectivity and I/O Ports

The Asus ROG Ally offers a wide range of connectivity options, including Wi-Fi 6E and Bluetooth v5.2, ensuring you stay connected anywhere. 

The inclusion of a ROG XG Mobile interface and USB Type-C combo port (with USB 3.2 Gen2x2 support and DP 1.4) adds to the device's versatility, allowing users to connect various peripherals and accessories. However, a single Type-C port on the Ally necessitates using a USB Hub for connecting a keyboard and a mouse along with a monitor. But the issue is that you can no longer play games in Turbo mode.

To mitigate this issue, the ROG Ally supports XG Mobile external GPU that draws 330w power and has built-in I/O ports such as USB, HDMI and Ethernet. But you will have to spend ₹1,42,990 in excess for the XG Mobile 2023, which is quite a bummer. Additional ports include a 3.5mm audio jack and a MicroSD slot (UHS-II, Micro SD 4.0).

Battery Life and Accessories

The ROG Ally has a 40Wh battery and a 65W PD adapter that supports pass-through charging. In my use, the battery of the Ally lasted for just 2-2.5 hours when playing Forza Horizon at 75% brightness in Performance mode. It will only get shorter as you move up the AAA games ladder. While the battery life may not be the longest, it's a trade-off for the device's incredible performance.

Final Thoughts

With its AMD Z1 Extreme CPU, efficient cooling system, immersive display, and thoughtful design, the ROG Ally offers an unrivalled gaming experience. It's a dream come true for gamers on the go. While the device may have some limitations in terms of battery life and pricing, the overall gaming experience remains exceptional. Whether you're lounging on the couch or using it with a keyboard and mouse, the ROG Ally ensures that you experience gaming at its best.

As to the question of whether you should buy the ROG Ally Handheld? Well, it's a first-gen product and as such there are a lot of things it's got going for itself. However, strictly from a pricing POV, if you are someone who's just entering the world of gaming, a laptop or a console like Xbox would be a more value for money option. But if you want to take your gaming to the next level or like me, are seek a unique experience, the ROG Ally will be right up your alley.