06/10/2023
The ASUS ROG Ally is a handheld device that aims to provide an immersive gaming experience and stands as a strong competitor to the Steam Deck. We’ve had the chance to attend a technical seminar held by ROG Philippines and here’s what you can expect on this device once it becomes officially available here in the Philippines.
Display and design
It boasts a 7-inch Full HD IPS touchscreen with a resolution of 1920 x 1080 pixels, ensuring sharp and vibrant visuals. With a high 120Hz refresh rate and a quick 7ms response time, the ROG Ally offers smooth and responsive gameplay, enhancing the overall gaming experience.
I was able to play Forza Horizon 5 on it and the visuals are a lot smoother than playing at home on my 60Hz TV. And the additional capability to connect to ROG’s XG mobile — an external GPU with additional ports for input — makes the Ally all the more flexible as you can go for bigger displays for better immersion.
In terms of build quality, the device features Corning Gorilla Glass DXC and Corning Gorilla Glass Victus, providing durability and protection against scratches and accidental damage. The body comes with a textured finish to ensure good grip during usage and its white color, to me, closely resembles a PS5’s DualSense controller.
Internal specs
ASUS offers two variants: the ROG Ally and the ROG Ally Extreme. The ROG Ally is equipped with an AMD Ryzen Z1 4nm CPU with 6 cores and 12 threads, along with an AMD Radeon GPU featuring 4 compute units (CUs) and 2.8 Teraflops of graphics performance. It also comes with a 256GB PCIe 4.0 M.2 SSD for fast and ample storage.
On the other hand, the ROG Ally Extreme variant aims to take gaming performance to the next level with an AMD Ryzen Z1 Extreme CPU boasting 8 cores and 16 threads. It also features AMD Radeon Graphics with 12 CUs, delivering an impressive 8.6 Teraflops of graphics performance. Additionally, it offers a larger 512GB PCIe 4.0 M.2 SSD for increased storage capacity.
Both variants come with 16GB LPDDR5 6500MT/s dual-channel RAM, enabling smooth multitasking and efficient gaming performance. The ROG Ally emphasizes audio quality with its two stereo speakers, Dolby Atmos support, Hi-Res audio certification, and AI noise-canceling technology — ensuring an immersive and high-quality audio experience. Biometric security is provided by a fingerprint scanner, allowing for quick and secure access to the device.
Other noteworthy features include Aura Sync support, allowing users to synchronize the device’s lighting effects with other compatible ASUS peripherals. The inclusion of a 3.5mm headphone/mic audio jack enables easy connection of headphones or external audio devices. And as mentioned earlier, the ROG XG Mobile Interface provides additional connectivity options, allowing users to connect external devices for enhanced gaming experiences.
In terms of ports, the device offers a USB-C 3.2 Gen 2 port that supports DisplayPort and DC power delivery, providing versatile connectivity options. Additionally, it includes a UHS-II microSD card slot for expandable storage.
The ROG Ally is powered by a 40WHr 4-cell Li-Ion battery and supports 65W USB-C charging, offering decent battery life and quick charging capabilities. With its compact dimensions of 28.0 x 11.1 x 2.12 ~ 3.24cm and a weight of 608g, the ROG Ally is designed to be portable and convenient for gaming on the go.
Vs Steam Deck
Compared to the Steam Deck, the ASUS ROG Ally has the advantage of a higher refresh rate, providing smoother visuals and a more responsive gaming experience. Additionally, the ROG Ally Extreme variant offers a more powerful GPU with 12 CUs and 8.6 Teraflops of graphics performance, surpassing the capabilities of the Steam Deck.
These features, along with its advanced audio technology, expandability, and biometric security, make the ASUS ROG Ally a compelling option for gamers seeking a high-performance handheld gaming device.
Price in the Philippines
The price for the ROG Ally in the Philippines is still under embargo, but the company promises it’s going to be a very competitive price point for what it offers. Stay tuned for the official announcement of its price.
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Availability & Pricing
The Ryzen Z1 Extreme-equipped model is now available at PhP 43,995, while the ROG Ally model with the Ryzen Z1 processor will be available this August for PhP 39,995.
Both models will have 512 GB storage and 16GB of LPDDR5 RAM and is available at ASUS and ROG Concept Stores.
The first 100 buyers of the Ally will get a chance to obtain the handheld’s perfect accessories set — The ROG Ally Travel Case and Gaming Charger Dock worth PhP 6,000 when they register here.
For gamers looking to purchase online, visit ASUS’ newest e-shop or get it through Shopee’s 6 months 0% interest SPayLater installment plan plus free shipping from July 20 – 31, 2023.
The ROG Ally offers a two-year ASUS International Warranty with ASUS Premium Care to feel secure with ASUS’ nine-step exclusive preventive maintenance program.
A special pop-up booth in One Bonifacio High Street Mall for the ROG ALLY will also be present from July 21-30, 2023. Special ROG merch and prizes will be given away so make sure to follow the ASUS Republic of Gamers on all social media channels to get exciting updates.
