The ROG Ally X is nice, however the Steam Deck OLED simply beats it in 4 key methods

I am a big fan of the ROG Ally X. It is a premium-feeling, highly effective, Home windows-powered handheld that provides me entry to all of my Xbox Recreation Go titles on the go. Nonetheless, it is from excellent. The dearth of an actual sleep mode, difficult updates, and confusion attributable to Home windows 11 simply not being made for a handheld, are just some of my key points with Asus’ transportable.

That is the place the Steam Deck OLED is available in. The ROG Ally X may beat the Steam Deck by way of uncooked energy and flexibility, however Valve’s deal with surpasses it handily in the case of being a simple, Swap-like handheld console that just about all the time works if you want it to. Once I know I’ll be ready round at an appointment or have a short, however nonetheless prolonged flight or practice journey, I virtually all the time attain for the Steam Deck OLED over the ROG Ally X.

• Steam Deck OLED

  Valve’s Steam Deck OLED function an ergonomic design and a formidable OLED display screen with HDR.

• 

  ROG Ally X

  Asus’ ROG Ally X is a robust Home windows-based handheld with a 1080p display screen that is able to a 120Hz refresh price.

See our course of

How we test and review products at Pocket-lint

We do not do arm-chair analysis. We purchase and take a look at our personal merchandise, and we solely publish purchaser’s guides with merchandise we have really reviewed.

1 The Steam Deck OLED simply works

Home windows 11’s versatility is nice, however it will probably additionally get annoying

Home windows 11 is each the ROG Ally X’s key energy and in addition its weak spot. Whereas it makes working just about something on Asus’ handheld a risk, Home windows 11 simply is not constructed with a touch-screen gaming handheld in thoughts. This may result in odd on-screen keyboard points, video games crashing, and an updating course of that feels needlessly difficult. Asus tries to resolve this challenge by utilizing its Armory Crate SE to maintain every little thing in a single location with an intuitive UI, however it simply would not examine to the swift responsiveness and easy nature of the Steam Deck OLED and SteamOS.

For instance, if you wish to replace your ROG Ally X, first it is advisable navigate to the replace display screen inside Asus’ Armory Crate SE app. Subsequent, change over to the usual Home windows 11 desktop mode and replace the hand held that method, too. Then lastly, be sure you open up the Microsoft Retailer and replace your apps from there. Oh, and do not forget to launch Steam and replace your video games there. With the Steam Deck, this course of is streamlined. The console is up to date instantly from the the hand held’s settings and video games are up to date from their location within the menu.

SteamOS simply feels prefer it was designed to work with the Steam Deck. I’ve points with the hand held’s Desktop Mode, however even its trackpads and onscreen keyboard make the admittedly unwieldy OS simpler to navigate than Home windows 11 on the ROG Ally X (except you plug in a mouse and keyboard, in fact). Video games do not crash as usually and glitches happen far much less continuously on the Steam Deck. It feels just like the super-powered Swap of my desires. Additionally, why is there a Home windows 11 lock display screen on the ROG Ally X you could’t flip off? It would not make any sense.

Associated

Samsung’s latest concept is the Galaxy Fold and Steam Deck crossover I didn’t know I wanted

Samsung is showcasing a handheld gaming system idea at Cellular Phrase Congress 2025, however with a twist: the console folds in half.

2 Sleep mode is extremely helpful for on-the-go gaming

Correctly shutting down the ROG Ally X generally is a chore

Whereas I do most of my handheld gaming at dwelling, generally I take my portables with me after I’m out and about. That is the place one in all my key points with the ROG Ally X seems — there simply is not an actual sleep mode. Once I faucet the console’s energy button, it goes into hibernation, however there isn’t any assure I am going to nonetheless have the ability to resume my sport. In loads of instances, no matter sport I am taking part in crashes or glitches out by the point I decide the console up once more. Generally the ROG Ally X’s battery can be almost depleted.

Whereas this is not a deal-breaker, it makes it tough to make use of the hand held in conditions the place I’d have to rapidly flip the transportable into sleep mode. I’ve learn there are third-party apps that solve this issue, nonetheless. Nonetheless, sleep mode ought to work out of the field, similar to it does with the Steam Deck. When Valve’s console, all I have to do is faucet the sleep button and the console’s display screen snaps off. When I will begin gaming once more, I simply faucet the button, and I am again in motion.

It is a very Nintendo Swap-like expertise and is probably going what most individuals count on from a conveyable console. In the case of fast gaming classes, the Steam Deck and Steam Deck OLED are far superior.

Associated

I didn’t need a smart mug, but now I can’t imagine life without one

The Ember Mug 2 is the kind of good gadget you do not know you want till you really strive it – the good mug is extremely helpful.

3 The Steam Deck OLED’s battery life is nice

The ROG Ally X might have a giant cell, however it would not final lengthy

Once you’re gaming on-the-go, battery life is integral. Whereas the ROG Ally X has a much bigger battery than the Steam Deck and its extra highly effective Ryzen Z1 Excessive processorbeats out the Customized AMD Zen 2 APU Valve opted for, it is also extra power-hungry, even when taking part in older, much less resource-intensive video games.

In fact, battery life fluctuates based mostly on what sport you are taking part in, the hand held’s energy setting, body price, decision and extra. You possibly can enhance the ROG Ally X’s battery life by reducing its decision and refresh price. Nonetheless, in just about each case, I used to be capable of get extra battery life out of the Steam Deck OLED regardless of its brighter panel, usually amounting to at the very least an hour or so relying on the sport. Once you’re on a prolonged flight with no plug simply obtainable, that further battery life could be important.

Associated

The 13-inch M4 MacBook Air is the perfect laptop for me (and most people)

With the M4 MacBook Air, I’ve lastly gotten my arms on the 13-inch model of Apple’s widespread laptop computer for the primary time – and I have been blown away.

4 Valve’s handheld is total extra snug and feels higher-quality

Asus must step its build-quality sport up

The ROG Ally X may function higher {hardware} specs, however its build-quality is not as much as par with the Steam Deck OLED. Asus’ handheld is constructed of soppy, easy-to-scratch plastic, in comparison with the Steam Deck’s tougher, extra sturdy plastic shell. Including to this, the Steam Deck OLED’s buttons have a satisfying pop to them in comparison with the ROG Ally X’s mushy buttons.

I am additionally not keen on the ROG Ally X’s rear grips (the dbrand Killswitch case I take advantage of helps a bit). They’re advantageous, however are a bit recessed, making the weighty handheld tough to carry for longer durations. Alternatively, whereas the Steam Deck OLED is roughly simply as heavy, it has extra conventional gamepad-like rear grips that make it simpler to make use of transportable for longer durations. Total, the Steam Deck OLED seems like a better-made machine. Hopefully, Asus improves the ROG Ally X 2’s construct when it inevitably releases.

The Steam Deck OLED and ROG Ally X had been supplied to Pocket-lint by Valve and Asus, respectively.

Associated

4 reasons upgrading to the iPad Air (M3) might be worth it for you

The iPad Air (M3) sits within the center space of Apple’s lineup, however should you’re a particular sort of Apple pill person, you will get quite a bit out of it.