On April 1st (of all days), Asus ROG stepped out to lift the lid on the ROG Ally, a next-generation handheld console created to rival the Steam Deck. However, while the specification and model were known, the ROG Ally pricing model wasn’t confirmed, and only speculations could be made as to how much the unit will cost.
On Reddit, a self-proclaimed leaker has broken down the ROG Ally, stressing that they’ve had a hands-on experience with the console, and while enjoying it, they asked questions – and got answers.
And as luck would have it, those questions were concerning the ROG Ally pricing structure and release window.
What’s The ROG Ally’s Specification?
For a short while, everybody thought the ROG Ally was an April Fool’s prank, given that it was announced on April 1st. It’s a bizarre day for anyone to announce anything legitimate, but Asus did it, and here we are.
It didn’t help that the unit is literally named ‘Ally’.
“A Lie.”
While the specification of the ROG Ally hasn’t been confirmed, there are some things that are generally known about the small but mighty console, which is being penned as a ‘handheld PC’.
For instance, it boasts a 7-inch, 1920×1080 resolution IPS LCD display with a refresh rate of 120Hz, which already puts it above and beyond the Steam Deck. Early information suggests that Asus has joined forces with AMD to build a custom, high-powered processor that outguns anything that’s currently inside the Steam Deck.
Not only that but Asus has claimed that the ROG Ally is quieter than the Steam Deck. And, in this writer’s humble opinion, it looks better, boasting sharper edges, a charming colour scheme, and even a touch of RGB. It’s more ‘gamer’ than the black-on-black Steam Deck.
There’s an upgradeable M.2 SSD port as well as an expansion drive in the form of a microSD card reader. Furthermore, the Ally can be linked up with Asus’ ROG XG external GPU device, which means that gaming power with the equivalent driving force of an RTX 4090 can be linked to the device when it’s docked.
And, as it’s Windows 11 out of the box, it’s compatible with far more games than the Steam Deck is, hence the marketing hashtag, #PlayALLYourGames – it’s clever, isn’t it?
So, What’s the ROG Ally Pricing Structure?
On Reddit, one user stressed that they’d got hands-on with the ROG Ally and had confirmed the console’s pricing points. They also stated that some features had been skipped in production so that the ROG Ally could remain competitive with the Steam Deck.
It was also explained that the custom OS that runs on the Ally is still in development but can already link up with Steam, Origin (not for long), Epic Games, and even Xbox Game Pass. It also supports VR, apparently.
Reportedly, there will be two colours available at launch – white or black – and the storage capacity is what drives the price. Here’s what we’re supposedly looking at:
- 512GB – $649
- 1TB – $899
And, according to the leaker, there’s a release window of October 2023.
Not only that, but the individual explained that the Asus employees he demoed the unit alongside were discussing the ‘secret Sony handheld’ that’s in development. This has been up in the air since the death of the PlayStation Vita, so it’s about time Sony produced something in that market.
At present, the ROG Ally pricing model and the launch window remain unconfirmed, so as always, take these leaks with a pinch of salt.
For more Insider Gaming news, check out our coverage of the new Modern Warfare II map coming in Season Three.
