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THE DISPLAY
The ASUS ROG Ally boasts a commendable display, featuring remarkable color accuracy and an impressive ultra-smooth 120Hz refresh rate with VRR (Variable Refresh Rate). This combination contributes to a visually satisfying gaming experience, but not without its own drawbacks.
The ROG Ally has a 16:9 aspect ratio, a narrower display compared to most of its 16:10 competitors. While the display quality itself is excellent, the size difference is noticeable, particularly when compared to devices like the base Steam Deck or AYANEO 2S, both of which also feature 7" displays. Despite having the same 7" screen size on paper, the ROG Ally's 16:9 ratio makes it technically smaller, especially in person, with a worse field of view and large, frankly ugly bezels that choose to display the "ROG" logo instead of offering valuable screen real estate.
But it doesn't end there. When compared to newer handhelds like the Steam Deck OLED, which has the best screen we've seen yet, or the Lenovo Legion Go, the ROG really misses out on what the competition is offering. Yes, it'll get the job done, but not better than its competitors will.
THE IO AND PROPRIETARY ECOSYSTEM
When it comes to connectivity, the ROG Ally lags behind most of its handheld gaming counterparts. Opting for USB 3.1, a standard from 2013, more than 11 years ago, is a clear and deliberate attempt by Asus to force users into their proprietary ecosystem, particularly with their XG Mobile eGPU port.
This singular USB 3.1 port limits the device's potential for high-speed data transfer, especially when compared to more advanced standards like USB4 or Thunderbolt. It also means you're unable to use any USB4, Thunderbolt, or desktop-grade, non-proprietary eGPUs in the future, unlike competitors using open standards.
The device sports just a single non-proprietary USB port, falling short of the industry standard, which typically features at least two or three ports for Windows-based handhelds. This limitation can be quite challenging when juggling multiple accessories, like the charger and a wired headset, simultaneously, making a dock almost essential.
The Ally does have a second port, though, which at the time of writing, Asus's XG Mobile eGPU port only supports overpriced, unreliable, and poorly performing eGPUs from Asus themselves. This decision locks users into Asus's ecosystem, while competitors embrace open standards like Thunderbolt and USB4, offering a range of accessories from different brands without any ecosystem locks.
Currently, JB Hi-Fi's website offers only one XG Mobile eGPU, the 4090, for an exorbitant cost of $3,999 AUD. This price is unjustifiable, especially considering it doesn't even provide a desktop-grade GPU like competing handhelds with open, non-proprietary ports like Thunderbolt can offer. Instead, users receive a mobile-grade 4090, which competes with 4070ti desktop-grade GPUs. It's another blatant insult to consumers.
Update: Asus has since abandoned the XG Mobile range within several months of the Ally's launch. This means that people who likely spent between $2,000 and $4,000 on eGPUs now have devices that cannot be used on any future Asus products. Yes, this includes the incrementally updated Ally X. This is typical Asus behavior, and it gets worse. Even on the Ally X, which added USB4, you still cannot use any eGPUs that are powered by AMD. This is due to Asus choosing to outfit the Ally and Ally X with the Z1/Z1 Extreme chipsets, which are sold at a reduced price to OEMs like Asus, with one of their conditions being that Asus takes control of the drivers. This means that your graphics drivers don't come from AMD and are instead managed by Asus. Unfortunately, due to this, AMD eGPUs suffer driver conflicts, which is discussed in RetroGameCorps video, and cannot be used. Again, this locks you into their dead ecosystem, highlighting Asus's laziness and disregard for their customers.
CONTROLS
While the ASUS ROG Ally's controls generally get the job done, there are some notable quirks that prevent them from being truly great. The most striking of these is the unusual looseness of the thumbsticks. They simply lack the reassuring resistance and tactile feedback I've come to expect from a quality controller. This "flimsy" feel, as I'd describe it, creates a persistent sense of imprecision that can be distracting, particularly in games demanding fine motor control.
Adding to the challenge are the unfortunately persistent dead zones. These hinder accurate aiming and can be a source of frustration, especially in games demanding precision. Despite nearly a year of software updates, this issue remains unresolved, which is disappointing for a device of this caliber. Furthermore, reports of premature wear and tear on the thumbsticks themselves raise concerns about their long-term durability.
While gyro aiming is reportedly on the horizon for a future update, its current absence feels like a missed opportunity. Gyro functionality has become a staple in many modern handheld gaming devices, offering enhanced immersion and improved aiming precision, particularly for emulation. Even when implemented, it remains to be seen whether the Ally's gyro support will match the seamless compatibility provided by competitors like the Steam Deck, with its robust Steam Input system ensuring consistent control mapping across a vast library of games.
Another curious omission is the lack of integrated trackpads and a keyboard. While these may not be essential for gaming, they undoubtedly enhance the overall user experience, allowing for quick adjustments and efficient navigation within Windows. This absence is particularly noticeable when compared to competing devices such as the GPD Win4, Steam Deck, Legion Go, and Ayaneo Kun, all of which have embraced these features as standard. Their absence on the Ally (And Ally X) is felt when simply navigating Windows.
CONSOLE RELIABILITY AND CUSTOMER SUPPORT
It's no secret that hardware can have its quirks, and individual experiences can vary. However, the sheer number of issues plaguing the ROG Ally, coupled with Asus's questionable customer support, paints an incredibly bleak picture. This isn't the first time Asus has been involved in controversy surrounding product defects and subpar customer service, and sadly, it probably won't be the last.
Let's start with the infamous SD card debacle. This isn't just a minor inconvenience; it's a widespread problem stemming from a defective SD card reader linked to excessive heat. Users have reported their SD cards becoming unrecognizable or even suffering permanent damage, sometimes taking the Ally's reader down with them. This is a major design flaw for a device that relies on expandable storage, and despite Asus's claims to have addressed it, reports of SD card failures persist even as of December 2024.
Asus's initial response was a software update that, rather than fixing the problem, attempted to mitigate it by adjusting fan speeds. This, however, introduced new issues, with users reporting increased fan noise and reduced performance. A recall and hardware revision would have been the appropriate solution, but instead, users were left with a band-aid fix and the lingering fear of their expensive SD cards getting fried. It's worth noting that this "fix" also had the unfortunate side effect of invalidating many of the initial positive reviews, which were based on the device's pre-update performance.
This raises an uncomfortable question: did Asus intentionally overclock review units to achieve impressive benchmarks, only to throttle performance later on for the sake of long-term stability? While we can't definitively say, the timing and nature of the performance-impacting "fix" certainly raise eyebrows.
But the problems don't end there. Our own experience with the Ally involved three separate units. The first destroyed our MicroSD card and its reader, ran at a scorching 99°C at idle, and sounded like a tortured robot with its high-pitched fan whine. The second unit, supposedly a revised model, still had noisy fans and suffered from constant Windows crashes and freezes. Our third unit arrived with a broken thumbstick and a blemish on the screen.
And we consider ourselves lucky! Our returns were hassle-free thanks to strong consumer protection laws and a cooperative retailer. However, countless reports online paint a grim picture of Asus's RMA process, with customers facing excruciating delays, fabricated diagnoses, and even extortionate repair fees. It seems Asus has a pattern of dodging responsibility, shifting blame onto customers, and making it incredibly difficult to get faulty devices repaired or replaced.
This isn't just about faulty hardware; it's about accountability and customer trust. Asus's handling of the Ally's issues, and their broader history of shoddy products and questionable customer support, raises serious concerns about their commitment to quality control and customer satisfaction. The lack of a widespread recall for the Ally or a genuine effort to address these problems is unacceptable, especially given the premium price tag of this device.
In my own experience with Asus, I've had to RMA numerous devices over the years, including GPUs, motherboards, controllers, a router, a laptop, and even a phone. Each time, the process was a drawn-out ordeal, with Asus taking months to issue credit notes instead of providing timely replacements. It's clear that Asus has a systemic problem when it comes to supporting their products.
For a more in-depth look at Asus's customer service woes, we highly recommend checking out this video from Gamers Nexus below. It's a sobering reminder that even big brands can fall short when it comes to supporting their products and respecting their customers.
SUMMARY
While the ASUS ROG Ally boasts impressive specs and a vibrant display, it's ultimately a device plagued by significant flaws and questionable design choices. From its restrictive ecosystem and unreliable hardware to its abysmal customer support, the Ally presents a cautionary tale for prospective buyers.
Asus's attempt to create a closed ecosystem around the Ally backfires spectacularly. The abandonment of their XG Mobile eGPU line and the incompatibility with AMD-powered eGPUs, even on the updated Ally X, leaves users with limited options and a sense of being trapped in a dead-end platform.
The widespread SD card reader issue, with reports of cards being destroyed and performance being hampered, remains a major concern despite Asus's inadequate software "fix." This "fix," which also introduced performance throttling and increased fan noise, casts doubt on the validity of early reviews and raises questions about Asus's transparency.
Beyond these major issues, the Ally suffers from various shortcomings, including loose thumbsticks, noticeable dead zones, a lack of essential features like gyro aiming, and a substandard single USB 3.1 port. These combine to create a frustrating user experience that falls far short of the premium price tag.
Furthermore, numerous reports of hardware failures, coupled with Asus's notoriously poor customer support, paint a concerning picture of a company that prioritizes cost-cutting over quality and customer satisfaction.
This review may seem overwhelmingly negative, but it's born out of genuine disappointment. As a former Asus fan and tech enthusiast, I feel compelled to warn potential buyers about the ROG Ally's shortcomings and Asus's questionable practices. There are simply better alternatives on the market that offer a more reliable, enjoyable, and customer-focused experience.
The ASUS ROG Ally, despite its initial promise, ultimately fails to deliver. It languishes at the bottom of our recommendation list, a stark reminder that even big brands can stumble when they lose sight of what truly matters: their customers.
If not the Ally, what?
The handheld market is buzzing with options, each catering to different needs and preferences. Depending on what you're looking for in a handheld gaming device, here are a few alternatives worth considering:
Steam Deck OLED: A truly fantastic handheld that has been built from the ground up to offer the best user experience possible, with features that matter. An absolutely gorgeous OLED display, a perfectly sized 7.4" 16:10 aspect ratio, incredible controls with fantastic thumbsticks, gyro, back buttons, and more, and an operating system that feels as easy to use as anything from Nintendo or PlayStation, this handheld just blows us away.
Zotac Zone: Probably the best all-rounder on the market for those who aren't interested in the Steam Deck. A love letter to Windows handheld enthusiasts with dual trackpads, a gorgeous OLED display, and fantastic build quality. It's almost as if Zotac asked handheld enthusiasts what their dream handheld was, and they made it.
GPD Win 4: The most portable handheld on the market that still manages to fit a keyboard and a trackpad! This little monster is a performance powerhouse and outperforms most of its rivals at half the size!
Lenovo Legion Go: This device boasts a gorgeous, large display and is readily available in many retail stores. So, if the appeal of the Ally lies in its easy accessibility, the Legion Go should do the trick.
OneXPlayer X1 Devices: With detachable keyboards and controllers, the OneXPlayer X1 series offers incredible versatility. Transform it from a laptop to a handheld gaming machine to a Windows tablet in seconds. It's definitely worth a look for those who value adaptability.
Enjoyed the review? Come share your thoughts and join the conversation in our lively Facebook group here! And if you're looking for top-notch accessories to enhance your gaming experience? Check out our recommended handheld gear selection—strictly curated, just like our reviews!
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