Nintendo Switch 2 versus Asus ROG Ally: how these handhelds examine

The Nintendo Switch 2 has entered the ring, probably complicating your resolution of which handheld to purchase this yr. While Nintendo’s new console, which comes out on June fifth, could appear just like handheld gaming PCs just like the Steam Deck and Asus ROG Ally, there’s quite a bit that units them aside. Everything like how you purchase and play video games, their management strategies, how highly effective they’re, and how one can broaden their storage makes them totally different. Unique doesn’t at all times imply “good,” by the best way.

While tech-savvy people possible perceive the important thing variations between every of the key handhelds, probably sufficient to determine a desire, some may use a hand breaking issues down. That’s precisely what I’m going to do right here, particularly evaluating the Switch 2 to the Asus ROG Ally and the Ally X, two of the most well-liked handheld gaming PCs that aren’t a Steam Deck (in small half as a result of they’re straightforward to purchase at Best Buy). I’ve already in contrast the Switch 2 to Valve’s console, so my focus right here is completely on Asus’ consoles which have a devoted fanbase and a few nice specs.

As talked about, the Switch 2 will launch on June fifth. Preorders had been initially set to start on April ninth, however had been pushed because of the Trump administration’s world tariffs. While that scenario stays in flux, it’s potential that preorders may have begun (or will quickly), relying on while you learn this. Assuming no modifications from tariffs, the Switch 2 will probably be out there in two pricing configurations, every with 256GB of inner storage; the $449.99 base console and a $499.99 bundle that additionally consists of Mario Kart World.

The Asus ROG Ally is on the market in a number of configurations, most of that are discounted repeatedly (typically steeply, however for the needs of this put up, I’m going to share unique retail costs). It begins at $499.99 and options the AMD Ryzen Z1 processor, 16GB of RAM, and 512GB of storage, whereas electing for the extra highly effective model with the Z1 Extreme APU (and no different spec enhancements) bumps the value as much as $649.99.

The ROG Ally X has so many enhancements that it’d as properly be the ROG Ally 2 — and also you’ll pay a premium for them. We’ll go into extra element under, however pricing begins at $799.99 for the Z1 Extreme mannequin with 24GB of RAM, 1TB of storage, and a much bigger battery. Doubling the storage to 2TB provides $100, totaling $899.99.

The Switch 2 and all Asus ROG Ally fashions (even the Ally X) have some specs in widespread. They every have 1080p LCD touchscreens with a 120Hz refresh price. However, Nintendo’s handheld has a bigger display screen (7.9 inches to 7 inches, respectively). The Switch 2’s display screen goes toe-to-toe with the Ally X with variable refresh price (VRR), which is a good function to have — and fairly the shock to have it within the sub-$500 Switch 2 — because it prevents the display screen from displaying choppiness because the body price fluctuates. While the Ally and Ally X function AMD’s FreeSync Premium, the Switch 2 has a G-Sync show and HDR.

Nintendo hasn’t shared the height brightness for the Switch 2’s display screen but, however the ROG Ally fashions go as much as 500 nits.

Performance and battery life

The ROG Ally — and particularly the ROG Ally X — provide among the greatest efficiency of any handheld gaming PCs available on the market. While one would possibly assume its Z1 Extreme processor is getting lengthy within the tooth, it debuted in 2023, it’s quicker than the Steam Deck, and extra succesful than the Z2 Go that did not impress us in its 2025 debut system, the Lenovo Legion Go S.

You’ll get the very best efficiency within the dear ROG Ally X (let The Verge’s Sean Hollister present you some game-by-game frames per second breakdowns in his assessment), due to its quicker reminiscence and extra environment friendly cooling in comparison with the usual ROG Ally. But even the extra inexpensive fashions provide a more-than-acceptable baseline, operating many widespread video games at over 60 frames per second at 720p, and in some instances, at 1080p. Several titles can run above 100 frames per second.

The ROG Ally runs at increased energy ranges than the Steam Deck, but it’s unclear whether or not that’s the case for the Nintendo Switch 2 as properly. Nintendo is promising as much as 120 frames per second with some Switch 2-exclusive titles that provide efficiency modes, however we’ll have to attend and see what sorts of visible compromises had been made to attain such a uncommon feat for a handheld.

The Switch 2 differs drastically from the ROG Ally fashions due to its customized Nvidia processor. While actual spec particulars about this Nvidia processor are slim, Nvidia has confirmed that the Switch 2 helps DLSS (Nvidia’s graphics upscaling tech), which can possible be leaned on to attain quick body charges in video games at 1080p decision in handheld mode and at as much as 4K whereas the console is docked. We’re curious how DLSS appears in a low-powered system (the also-Nvidia-powered Switch from 2017 predated DLSS’ existence). For comparability, the ROG Ally helps AMD’s comparable FSR upscaling tech, although the combination typically leads to a fuzzy-looking picture.

In phrases of battery life, Sean Hollister was left wanting extra out of the ROG Ally consoles. While its 40Wh capability matches the Steam Deck, it spends its battery reserve quicker, even in low energy modes. Hollister stated in his ROG Ally assessment that 4 hours of battery life was the very best case situation in comparison with the Steam Deck’s seven. Quite a bit was improved on within the ROG Ally X, past its impressively massive 80Wh inner battery. Hollister stories that the Ally X is much less power-hungry than the unique, letting you sport for longer.

Nintendo is at the moment being cagey about battery specs within the Switch 2, solely sharing that it accommodates a 5,220mAh lithium-ion battery. It advertises battery life starting from two to 6 and a half hours, relying on the sport.

It’s slightly unusual to speak about joysticks within the efficiency part, however the ROG Ally fashions function Hall impact joysticks, whereas the Switch 2 doesn’t. Those function with magnetized mechanisms as a substitute of potentiometers, permitting the sticks to not put on down over time, resulting in worsening efficiency and inaccurate inputs. Given the controversy surrounding Nintendo’s Joy-Con drift, we’re shocked and upset that Nintendo opted to not go together with Hall-effect sticks.

Both the Switch 2 and ROG Ally fashions use quick inner storage, albeit differing types. The Switch 2 options 256GB of UFS storage (non-upgradeable), and might be expanded with microSD Express playing cards, that are categorized as PCIe 3.0 NVMe SSDs however have the identical microSD card kind issue many people are accustomed to.

The customary ROG Ally consists of an M.2-2230 SSD (user-replaceable), however you’ll must open it as much as substitute it. This maneuver received’t void your guarantee, nevertheless it’s not so simple as you would possibly hope. For one thing easier, the ROG Ally helps microSD playing cards, together with UHS-II variations with quicker learn and write speeds. The latter might be costly and hard to search out in inventory, so I like to recommend going the SSD improve route in case you actually need extra storage.

One of the numerous enhancements within the ROG Ally X is the help for M.2-2280 SSDs, full-size M.2 SSDs that aren’t shrunk down to suit into tiny devices. Those SSDs are a lot simpler to search out in massive storage capacities (and are sometimes discounted), so it’s a bonus that the ROG Ally X helps them in addition to microSD playing cards.

Moving on to docking, the Switch 2 and the ROG Ally had been each designed as hybrid consoles that may be loved as a handheld, or by linking as much as an exterior display screen. Docking is extra core to the Switch 2 expertise, simply because it was with the unique Switch, since Nintendo features a TV dock with the console. With it, you’ll be able to sport at as much as 4K decision, capped at 60 frames per second over HDMI. The dock is low-frills, containing an Ethernet port, a USB-C energy plug, an HDMI port, and two USB-A 2.0 ports.

None of the ROG Ally consoles embrace a dock (solely a 65W USB-C energy adapter), although Asus makes one which’s related in execution to the Genki Covert Dock. It’s a 65W energy brick with an HDMI 2.0 port to connect with a show, and one USB-A 2.0 port for connecting an adjunct. It prices $64.99 by way of Best Buy, however you’re higher off getting one thing cheaper on Amazon from JSAUX or Anker, each of which make docks that rival the official Steam Deck docking station by way of ports.

Of course, in case you’re rolling in it, be happy to purchase the ROG XG Mobile exterior GPU that doubles as a docking station. It plugs into the ROG Ally’s proprietary port on the highest, and it’s the price of a high-end gaming laptop computer. I don’t suggest it as a result of it’s tremendous costly, and but, you’ll be bottlenecked by the velocity of the ROG Ally’s Ryzen Z1 APU. The ROG Ally X dropped help for the XG Mobile.

The Switch 2 and ROG Ally have some video games in widespread. Many video games coming to the Switch 2 in 2025 are already out on PC, together with Cyberpunk 2077, Split Fiction, Final Fantasy VII Remake Intergrade, and extra (and are typically discounted, no much less). But how you purchase video games on them is totally different, and that comes all the way down to the software program. While the Switch 2 is restricted to titles on the eShop, the ROG Ally runs Windows 11. As such, you’re free to put in any sport platform out there on that OS. That consists of Steam, the Epic Games Store, Ubisoft Connect, and others. Games are extra inexpensive on PCs (the ROG Ally is a PC, regardless of its handheld kind issue).

While the flexibility to run any sport from any platform is one among Windows’ greatest benefits in opposition to the Switch 2 (and in comparison with the Steam Deck, as properly), there are downsides. Namely, Windows 11 isn’t an important expertise for handhelds, because the OS doesn’t adapt properly to the built-in controls and touchscreen. On the opposite hand, connecting a mouse and keyboard? That’s one other story. The Asus ROG Ally will probably be among the many first handhelds not made by Valve to be supported by official SteamOS in an replace coming quickly.

The Switch 2 has a particular mouse mode, for which builders are creating management schemes. Games that help it should assist you to play with customary controls, then seamlessly swap to mouse-based controls when the participant turns the Joy-Con 2 in order that its sensor faces a tough floor. It’s intriguing, however ROG Ally gamers aren’t lacking out on a lot as a result of they will join a wi-fi mouse to play their favourite video games.