Importance Score: 45 / 100 🔵
The highly anticipated Nintendo Switch 2 is set to debut, potentially complicating purchasing decisions for gamers considering a new handheld gaming console this year. While Nintendo’s forthcoming console, launching on June 5th, might appear similar to handheld gaming PCs such as the Steam Deck and Asus ROG Ally and its upgraded variant ROG Ally X, significant differences delineate these devices. Key distinctions include game acquisition and usage, control mechanisms, performance capabilities, and storage expansion methods. It is important to note that unique features do not invariably translate to optimal user experience.
While technologically proficient individuals likely grasp the fundamental variances between leading handheld consoles, potentially forming clear preferences, some may benefit from a detailed comparison. This analysis aims to provide clarity by specifically contrasting the Nintendo Switch 2 with the Asus ROG Ally and Ally X, prominent handheld gaming PCs readily available at major retailers like Best Buy, distinguishing them from the Steam Deck which was previously compared. This article will concentrate exclusively on Asus’s consoles, which have garnered a dedicated following and boast impressive specifications.
As previously indicated, the Switch 2 is scheduled for release on June 5th. Initial preorder plans slated for April 9th were postponed due to global tariffs. The preorder situation may have evolved since then, depending on when this article is accessed. Barring tariff-related modifications, the Switch 2 will be offered in two configurations, each featuring 256GB of onboard storage: a base console priced at $449.99 and a $499.99 bundle incorporating Mario Kart World.
The Asus ROG Ally is offered in several configurations, frequently subject to discounts, sometimes substantial. For this comparison, original retail prices are referenced. The base model starts at $499.99, equipped with an AMD Ryzen Z1 processor, 16GB of RAM, and 512GB of storage. Opting for the enhanced version, featuring the more powerful Z1 Extreme APU without other specification upgrades, raises the price to $649.99.
The ROG Ally X represents a significant upgrade, effectively positioning it as a successor, reflected in its premium pricing. Detailed specifications will be discussed subsequently, but the starting price is $799.99 for the Z1 Extreme model, which includes 24GB of RAM, 1TB of storage, and an enhanced battery. Doubling the storage to 2TB increases the total cost to $899.99.
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Both the Nintendo Switch 2 and all Asus ROG Ally models, including the Ally X, share certain display characteristics. They are all equipped with 1080p LCD touchscreens featuring a 120Hz refresh rate. However, the Nintendo handheld boasts a marginally larger screen at 7.9 inches compared to the 7-inch displays of the Ally devices. The Switch 2 screen matches the Ally X in incorporating variable refresh rate (VRR) technology, a notable feature, especially in the sub-$500 Switch 2, as it mitigates screen tearing during framerate fluctuations. While the Ally and Ally X utilize AMD’s FreeSync Premium, the Switch 2 employs a G-Sync display and HDR.
Nintendo has yet to disclose the peak brightness of the Switch 2 screen, whereas the ROG Ally models achieve up to 500 nits.
Performance and Battery Longevity
The ROG Ally, and particularly the ROG Ally X, deliver top-tier performance among handheld gaming PCs currently available. Though its Z1 Extreme processor, launched in 2023, might be considered mature, it outperforms the Steam Deck and demonstrates superior capabilities compared to the Z2 Go, which underwhelmed in its 2025 debut within the Lenovo Legion Go S.
Optimal performance is attained with the premium ROG Ally X, attributed to its faster memory and enhanced cooling system relative to the standard ROG Ally. However, even the more economical models offer a satisfactory baseline, capable of running numerous popular games at over 60 frames per second at 720p resolution, and in certain instances, at 1080p. Select titles can exceed 100 frames per second.
The ROG Ally operates at elevated power consumption levels compared to the Steam Deck, but the power profile of the Nintendo Switch 2 remains unclear. Nintendo is promising framerates of up to 120fps for specific Switch 2-exclusive titles featuring performance modes. However, the visual compromises necessary to achieve such performance on a handheld device remain to be assessed.
The Switch 2 diverges significantly from the ROG Ally models due to its custom Nvidia processor. While detailed specifications of this Nvidia processor are scarce, Nvidia has verified that the Switch 2 supports DLSS, Nvidia’s graphics upscaling technology. DLSS is expected to be instrumental in achieving high framerates in games at 1080p resolution in handheld mode and up to 4K when the console is docked. The efficacy of DLSS in a low-power device is a point of interest, especially considering the original Nvidia-powered Switch predated DLSS. In contrast, the ROG Ally supports AMD’s comparable FSR upscaling technology, although its implementation can occasionally result in image fuzziness.
Regarding battery performance, the ROG Ally consoles have been noted to have limitations. While their 40Wh capacity matches the Steam Deck, the battery reserve depletes more rapidly, even in low-power configurations. Battery life tests revealed a maximum of four hours for the ROG Ally, compared to up to seven hours for the Steam Deck. The ROG Ally X incorporates significant improvements, including a substantially larger 80Wh internal battery and enhanced power efficiency, thus extending gaming sessions.
Nintendo remains discreet about battery specifications for the Switch 2, only confirming a 5,220mAh lithium-ion battery. Advertised battery life ranges from two to six and a half hours, contingent on the game being played.
While seemingly pertinent to performance, the ROG Ally models are equipped with Hall effect joysticks, unlike the Switch 2. Hall effect joysticks utilize magnetic mechanisms instead of potentiometers, preventing wear over time which can degrade performance and input accuracy. Given the prior controversies surrounding Nintendo’s Joy-Con drift issues, the omission of Hall-effect sticks in the Switch 2 is notable.
Both the Switch 2 and ROG Ally models utilize rapid internal storage, albeit employing different technologies. The Switch 2 incorporates 256GB of UFS storage, which is not user-upgradeable, but offers expansion via microSD Express cards, classified as PCIe 3.0 NVMe SSDs in the familiar microSD card form factor.
The standard ROG Ally includes a user-replaceable M.2-2230 SSD, requiring disassembly for replacement. While this action does not void the warranty, it is not a straightforward process. For simpler storage augmentation, the ROG Ally supports microSD cards, including UHS-II versions for enhanced read and write speeds. Given the potentially high cost and limited availability of UHS-II cards, upgrading the SSD is recommended for substantial storage increases.
A significant enhancement in the ROG Ally X is the inclusion of support for M.2-2280 SSDs, full-size M.2 SSDs not miniaturized for compact devices. These SSDs are more readily available in larger capacities and are often discounted, making their support in the ROG Ally X a notable advantage, alongside microSD card compatibility.
Concerning docking capabilities, both the Switch 2 and ROG Ally were designed as hybrid consoles adaptable for handheld or television-based gaming. Docking is central to the Switch 2 experience, mirroring the original Switch, as Nintendo includes a TV dock with the console. This enables gaming at up to 4K resolution, capped at 60fps via HDMI. The dock is basic, featuring an Ethernet port, a USB-C power connector, an HDMI port, and dual USB-A 2.0 ports.
ROG Ally consoles do not include a dock, only a 65W USB-C power adapter. Asus offers a separate dock, similar to the Genki Covert Dock, which is a 65W power adapter with an HDMI 2.0 port and a single USB-A 2.0 port. It is available for $64.99, though more economical alternatives from brands like JSAUX or Anker are available, offering comparable port functionality to the official Steam Deck docking station.
For users seeking enhanced graphical power, the ROG XG Mobile external GPU, which also functions as a docking station, can be considered, but is a significant financial investment, comparable to a high-end gaming laptop. It connects via the ROG Ally’s proprietary port, but is limited by the processing speed of the ROG Ally’s Ryzen Z1 APU. The ROG Ally X does not support the XG Mobile.
The Nintendo Switch 2 and ROG Ally share game availability. Many titles anticipated for the Switch 2 in 2025 are already accessible on PC platforms, including Cyberpunk 2077, Split Fiction, Final Fantasy VII Remake Intergrade, and others, often at discounted prices. However, the game acquisition methods differ. The Switch 2 is confined to titles on the eShop, whereas the ROG Ally operates on Windows 11, allowing users to install and access any game platform compatible with the OS, including Steam, Epic Games Store, and Ubisoft Connect. Games are generally more cost-effective on PC platforms, making the ROG Ally, essentially a handheld PC, an attractive option.
While the capacity to run games from any platform is a major advantage for Windows-based devices such as the ROG Ally compared to the Switch 2 and even the Steam Deck, Windows 11 presents challenges in handheld usability. The OS is not optimally adapted for built-in controls and touch input, although mouse and keyboard integration is seamless. Asus ROG Ally models are slated to be among the first non-Valve handhelds to receive official SteamOS support via a future update.
The Switch 2 incorporates a unique mouse mode, with developers creating specific control schemes. Compatible games will allow players to switch between standard controls and mouse-based inputs by orienting the Joy-Con 2 sensor towards a surface. While innovative, this feature does not offer a significant advantage over ROG Ally devices, which readily support wireless mouse connectivity.
Specifications Comparison
Specification |
Nintendo Switch 2 |
Asus ROG Ally X |
Asus ROG Ally |
Steam Deck LCD |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Processor | Custom Nvidia chipset (details TBD) | AMD Ryzen Z1 Extreme | AMD Ryzen Z1 Extreme | Custom AMD APU |
| Screen type | 7.9-inch LCD | 7-inch LCD | 7-inch LCD | 7-inch LCD |
| Resolution (handheld) | 1,920 x 1080, up to 120Hz, VRR, HDR | 1,920 x 1,080, up to 120Hz, VRR | 1,920 x 1,080, up to 120Hz | 1,280 x 800, up to 60Hz |
| Resolution (docked) | 3,840 x 2,160 at 60Hz, or 1440p/1080p at up to 120Hz | 3,840 x 2,160 at 60Hz | 3,840 x 2,160 at 60Hz | 3,840 x 2,160 at 60Hz, or 1440p at 120Hz |
| HDR10 support? | Yes | No | No | No |
| Internal storage | 256GB (UFS, non-upgradable) | 1TB or 2TB (PCIe 4 M2-2280, user-replaceable) | 512GB (PCIe 4 M2-2230, user-replaceable) | 256GB (M2-2230, user-replaceable) |
| Expandable storage | microSD Express (up to 2TB) | microSD UHS-II | microSD UHS-II | microSD (up to 2TB) |
| Sensors | Accelerometer / gyroscope, mouse / ambient light sensor (in console) | Fingerprint / gyroscope / ambient light sensor | Fingerprint / gyroscope / ambient light sensor | Accelerometer / gyroscope / ambient light sensor |
| Ports (handheld) | 2x USB-C / 3.5mm | 2x USB-C / 3.5mm | 1x USB-C / 3.5mm / XG Mobile port | USB-C / 3.5mm |
| Ports (dock) | 2x USB-C / HDMI / ethernet | USB 2.0 / USB-C (power adapter) / HDMI 2.0 (dock not included) | USB 2.0 / USB-C (power adapter) / HDMI 2.0 (dock not included) | 3x USB-A 3.1 / USB-C (power adapter) / HDMI 2.0 / DisplayPort 1.4 / Ethernet (dock not included) |
| Wireless connectivity | Wi-Fi 6 / Bluetooth / NFC | Wi-Fi 6E / Bluetooth 5.2 | Wi-Fi 6E / Bluetooth 5.2 | Dual-band Wi-Fi / Bluetooth 5 |
| Wired connectivity | Ethernet (docked mode) | Ethernet via optional dock | Ethernet via optional dock | Ethernet via optional dock |
| Built-in mic? | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Speakers | Stereo speakers | Stereo speakers | Stereo speakers | Stereo speakers |
| Battery capacity | 5,220mAh lithium-ion | 80Wh battery | 40Wh battery | 40Wh battery |
| Battery life (est.) | 2 to 6.5 hours | 2 to 10 hours | 2 to 4 hours | 2 to 8 hours |
| Charging time | About 3 hours 30 minutes | Not advertised | Not advertised | Not advertised |
| Game card slot | Switch 2 and Switch cartridges | N/A, uses microSD card (plus internal SSD) | N/A, uses microSD card (plus internal SSD) | N/A, uses microSD card (plus internal SSD) |
| Weight (grams) | 399.16g (or 535.24g with Joy-Con 2 controllers attached) | 678 grams | 608 grams | 669 grams |
| Dimensions | 4.5 x 10.7 x .55 inches | 4.37 x 11.02 x 0.97-1.45 inches | 4.37 x 11.02 x 0.83-1.28 inches | 4.6 x 11.7 x 1.92 inches |
| Starting price | $449.99 | $799.99 | $499.99 | $399.99 |
| Available | June 5th, 2025 | Now | Now | Now |