Asus ROG Ally Review: Exploring the Pros and Cons

ROG Ally, unexpectedly unveiled, surpasses expectations and impresses any handheld gamer. We had the opportunity to personally experience the ROG Ally and share our assessment with readers. Initially, it seemed like an April Fool joke, but ROG Ally is indeed a reality, and this new ASUS handheld delivers numerous pleasant surprises in terms of design and performance. In this Asus ROG Ally review, we will explore its pros and cons.

Asus ROG Ally Review

Eye-catching Appearance with Ergonomic Design

Currently, ROG Ally remains relatively unknown in the handheld gaming community. However, upon holding a genuine ROG Ally, the author was immediately captivated by its appearance and design.

With its sleek white exterior, the ROG Ally exudes a sense of elegance while weighing a mere 600 grams. The compact design and optimal weight provide a comfortable handheld gaming experience, ensuring superior portability compared to its competitors in the same segment.

Furthermore, the robust lines of ROG Ally’s case enhance its technological quality, comparable to the recently released Asus ROG Phone 7 flagship product.

Thoughtfully Designed Controls for Enhanced Experience and Entertainment

In addition to its impressive hardware capabilities, the button system design on the device flawlessly integrates the Xbox interface and button layout with the versatility of a gaming laptop.

Equipped with the Windows 11 operating system and a 7-inch screen boasting a 120Hz refresh rate, the ROG Ally not only allows gamers to explore a diverse range of games but also enables connection to external monitors, televisions, and controllers. Consequently, this compact handheld gaming machine can transform into a console akin to the Xbox One or PlayStation 5, and even serve multiple purposes like a laptop.

Although the ROG Ally bears some similarities to Microsoft’s controller, it distinguishes itself by offering two additional triggers on the back. Gamers can conveniently customize these triggers as fire buttons in FPS games or as attack buttons in RPG games.

Exceptional Performance with Superior Configuration

The standout feature of ROG Ally is its remarkable configuration, particularly when considering its mid-range price. ASUS equips this gaming machine with an impressive AMD Z1 series CPU, designed and optimized specifically for handheld gaming devices.

Ally’s performance stems from an 8-core 16-thread CPU, with a base clock of 3.3GHz and a boost clock of 5.1GHz. This handheld gaming device not only caters to basic entertainment needs but also delivers an exceptional gaming experience with AAA titles like Elden Ring, Call of Duty, and Final Fantasy XV, running smoothly at 60 FPS.

Moreover, the most significant advantage of Asus ROG Ally lies in its efficient cooling system. With a two-fan design and strategically placed vents, Ally remains stable even during extended gaming sessions, preventing overheating of its internal components, even when playing outdoors.

During our Asus ROG Ally review testing, playing Elden Ring for nearly an hour, the maximum temperature ranged from 48 to 58 degrees Celsius. The device effectively dissipates hot air through the upper radiator port, ensuring a comfortable grip and allowing the screen and button system to maintain a stable temperature, providing an optimal gaming experience.

Immersive Gaming Experience and Beyond

The 7-inch touch screen on Ally leaves a lasting impression with its Full HD resolution and 100% sRGB color coverage. The screen’s excellent brightness, combined with the wide range of customization options in Armory Crate, enhances the immersive experience across various game genres.

Furthermore, the built-in Windows operating system expands the entertainment possibilities beyond Steam, enabling access to platforms such as Epic Games and Battle.net. As a result, gamers can connect and engage with friends limitlessly, provided they have a strong network connection.

Notably, ROG Ally is well-optimized not only for Steam and Epic Games but also for mobile gaming with emulators such as BlueStacks and Nox. Based on our Asus ROG Ally review, the device performs exceptionally well with PC games, swiftly transitioning to entertaining strategy games like Epic War: Throne or even PUBG Mobile with proper button configuration for the emulator.

Pros of ROG Ally

Based on our Asus ROG Ally review experience, here are some pros of the device: 

1. An eye-catching appearance with its sleek white exterior and ergonomic design provides a comfortable and stylish gaming experience.
2. The device features a thoughtfully designed button system that combines the interface and button layout of the Xbox with the flexibility of a gaming laptop, offering enhanced control options for gamers.
3. Equipped with an AMD Z1 series CPU, the ROG Ally delivers exceptional performance with its 8-core 16-thread processor, allowing for smooth gameplay even with demanding AAA titles at 60 FPS.
4. The two-fan design and smart layout of the device ensure effective heat dissipation, keeping the internal components cool even during extended gaming sessions and maintaining a stable gaming experience.
5. The 7-inch touchscreen with Full HD resolution and 100% sRGB color coverage, combined with the wide range of customization options in Armory Crate, provides an immersive gaming experience across various genres.
6. With the built-in Windows 11 operating system, the ROG Ally allows for seamless connectivity to external monitors, televisions, and controllers. 
7. The device also supports popular emulators, allowing users to play mobile games. 
8. Weighing only 600 grams, the compact design of the ROG Ally ensures superior portability, making it convenient for gaming on the go.

Cons of ROG Ally

While ROG Ally boasts powerful configuration and versatile convenience, there are a few drawbacks worth noting:

1. The white body is prone to accumulating dirt over time.
2. Extended usage of the device may cause discomfort and strain on the shoulders, akin to the feeling after an intense weightlifting session.
3. The placement of the headphone jack, memory card slot, and expansion ports near the heatsink on the top of the device can cause plastic peripherals to overheat and potentially become damaged during prolonged use.
4. The recognition mechanism between Desktop and Gamepad modes exhibits some issues, occasionally hindering the ability to type using the keyboard.
5. Despite integrated fast charging, the battery life fails to impress. During a 30-minute Elden Ring session, the battery drained quickly, dropping from over 80% to 30%.

Final line

As a relatively new player in the handheld segment, ROG Ally performs admirably in its debut. However, for those seeking a continuous gaming experience akin to Sony’s legendary PSP, Ally still requires improvements in battery life. Nevertheless, if you desire a versatile option for entertainment, offering more than a typical console, ROG Ally provides an excellent choice at a mid-range price point.

Asus ROG Ally price and availability

The Asus ROG Ally gaming handheld can be purchased on various online stores: Amazon.com, Newegg.com, and Amazon.co.uk. Pricing starts from $849.