The Asus ROG Ally is one of the most talked-about handheld gaming PCs of the last few years. It promises “your Steam library, Xbox Game Pass and PC games in your hands” with a bright 120 Hz screen and a powerful AMD APU inside a Nintendo Switch–style device. But with strong competitors like the Steam Deck, Lenovo Legion Go, MSI Claw, and newer models such as the ROG Ally X and Xbox-focused variants, many gamers are asking a simple question:
Is it still worth buying the original ROG Ally today?
This blog takes a practical, professional look at the ROG Ally’s strengths, weaknesses, and how it compares in 2025, so you can decide if it fits your budget and your style of gaming.
1. What Exactly Is the Asus ROG Ally?
The original ROG Ally (2023) is a Windows 11 handheld gaming PC with a 7-inch 1080p IPS display running at 120 Hz with FreeSync Premium. Inside, the main configuration uses an AMD Ryzen Z1 Extreme APU (Zen 4 CPU cores and RDNA 3 graphics), 16 GB of LPDDR5 memory and a 512 GB NVMe SSD.
Key hardware highlights:
- Display: 7″ 1920×1080, 120 Hz, VRR (FreeSync Premium)
- Processor: Ryzen Z1 Extreme (8 cores / 16 threads with RDNA 3 iGPU)
- Memory: 16 GB LPDDR5
- Storage: 512 GB NVMe SSD (user-replaceable M.2 2230)
- OS: Windows 11 Home
At launch, the Z1 Extreme model was generally priced around $649, but later it often appears on sale in the $349–$499 range at major retailers. Those discounts are a big part of why people are revisiting the “is it worth it?” question now.
2. Where the ROG Ally Really Shines
2.1 Performance for a Handheld PC
In terms of raw power, the ROG Ally with Z1 Extreme is still one of the faster handhelds in its class. At comparable settings, it can be noticeably faster than the original Steam Deck and can run at higher power limits (up to around 30 W in Turbo mode when plugged in).
In realistic use, you can expect:
- Modern AAA games at 720p–900p with a mix of low/medium settings and upscaling (FSR, etc.)
- Indie titles and older games at full 1080p with higher settings
- Excellent performance for emulation, especially for PS2, GameCube/Wii and earlier consoles
If your goal is a small device that can run almost any Windows PC game with some settings tuning, the Ally absolutely delivers on performance for its size.
2.2 Excellent Screen and Audio
The Ally’s display is widely considered one of the best in the handheld category: bright, sharp 1080p, 120 Hz refresh rate and pleasing colours. Combined with surprisingly punchy front-facing speakers, games look and sound better than you might expect from such a compact device.
For players who care about image quality and responsiveness, this screen is a major selling point over some competitors with lower resolution or refresh rate.
2.3 Windows and Game Library Flexibility
Unlike the Steam Deck’s Linux-based SteamOS, the ROG Ally runs full Windows 11. That means you get native access to:
- Steam, Epic Games Store, GOG, Battle.net, EA app, Ubisoft Connect, etc.
- Xbox app and PC Game Pass game library
- Cloud gaming services and game launchers exactly as on a small gaming PC
There’s no need for dual-booting or compatibility layers for non-Steam launchers: if it runs on a Windows gaming PC, it can essentially run on the Ally, within its performance limits. Asus also includes a custom launcher and control center via Armoury Crate SE to help organize games, performance profiles and controller layouts.
If you already own a large Windows PC game library spread across several stores, this “it’s just a PC” approach is a big advantage.
2.4 Docking, Controllers and eGPU Support
Because it’s a Windows PC, you can put the Ally in a dock, connect it to a monitor, keyboard and mouse, and use it like a small desktop or living-room console. There’s also a proprietary XG Mobile port that supports Asus’s external GPU docks, allowing desktop-class graphics performance when docked.
The XG Mobile setup is expensive and relatively niche, but it shows the Ally’s flexibility: handheld, couch console or docked gaming PC, all using the same device.
2.5 Software Improvements Over Time
Early reviews criticised the Ally’s software for bugs and rough edges, especially around Armoury Crate and controller mapping. Over time, firmware and software updates have significantly improved stability, performance profiles and usability.
It is still Windows (more on that below), but overall the ROG Ally today is a much more polished experience than at launch.
3. The Major Drawbacks You Need to Accept
3.1 Battery Life: The Biggest Weak Point
The most consistent criticism of the ROG Ally is its limited battery life while gaming. Typical user reports and tests show:
- About 1–2 hours of battery life in demanding AAA games at higher power limits
- Around 2–3 hours in lighter titles with reduced TDP, lower resolution and moderate brightness
- Longer runtimes (5–6+ hours) mainly in light tasks like web browsing or streaming, not heavy gaming
In short: the Ally’s performance is strong, but it “eats battery” under load. If you want to play long sessions away from a power outlet, this is a serious downside. If you mainly play on the couch, desk, or in bed with a charger nearby, it matters less.
3.2 Windows on a Small Touchscreen
Running full Windows is both a strength and a weakness. While it unlocks all PC game stores and apps, it also means:
- Windows 11 is not optimized for a 7-inch touchscreen
- Controller-only navigation can feel clunky and inconsistent across different apps
- You sometimes have to deal with tiny UI elements, pop-ups and background processes
Armoury Crate SE and other Asus tools help by offering a console-style game launcher and quick settings menu, but the underlying OS still behaves like a regular desktop Windows installation. If you enjoy tweaking and customizing Windows, this might be fine; if you want something that feels like a console, the Ally will require more patience.
3.3 Heat, Fan Noise and the SD Card Reader Issue
Under heavy load at higher power modes, the ROG Ally can get warm and the fans become clearly audible. The cooling system generally does a good job of keeping the APU within safe temperatures, but you will notice fan noise during demanding games, especially in Turbo mode.
There has also been a widely discussed issue with the microSD card reader. Because it is placed near an exhaust vent, some units experienced SD card failures that appear to be related to thermal stress. Asus responded in various ways, including firmware tweaks and, in some regions, repair or replacement options, but the topic has left some buyers cautious.
This is unlikely to affect every unit, and many users never experience a problem, especially if they rely mainly on the internal SSD. Still, if you plan to store a lot of games on microSD, it is something to keep in mind.
3.4 Reliability and Warranty Concerns
Like any complex device, there have been reports of individual units suffering from stick drift, button issues or other hardware faults. Some high-profile warranty cases and communication missteps have also made headlines, which has influenced how certain enthusiasts perceive Asus support for the Ally line.
This does not mean the ROG Ally is inherently unreliable, but it is wise to buy from a retailer with a good return policy and consider extended protection if that gives you extra peace of mind.
4. ROG Ally vs. Newer Models and Competitors
4.1 ROG Ally vs. ROG Ally X
Asus later introduced the ROG Ally X, which keeps the same Z1 Extreme processor but improves several key pain points from the original model:
- A significantly larger battery, offering clearly longer gaming sessions
- More memory (for example 24 GB) and more storage (often 1 TB) out of the box
- Refined ergonomics and internal layout for better comfort, cooling and expandability
In other words, the Ally X is a more refined, higher-end version of the same concept. But it also comes with a much higher price, which matters if you are shopping on a budget.
4.2 ROG Ally vs. Other Handhelds
Compared with the Steam Deck, general trends in reviews look like this:
- ROG Ally: better screen, higher maximum performance, more flexible for multiple game stores and launchers thanks to Windows
- Steam Deck: more polished console-like experience, better integrated software, often more efficient battery usage and strong community tools
Other Windows handhelds such as the Lenovo Legion Go, MSI Claw and devices from smaller brands add their own trade-offs in size, ergonomics, display choices and price. In that landscape, the original ROG Ally is often viewed as a strong all-rounder, especially when discounted, but not the automatic winner for every type of user.
5. So, Is the Asus ROG Ally Worth Buying in 2025?
5.1 It’s Worth It If…
The ROG Ally is likely a good buy for you if:
- You can get the Z1 Extreme model at a significant discount (for example around $400–$500 or less).
- You value a great 1080p 120 Hz screen and strong performance in a handheld format.
- You already own a big Windows game library across Steam, Game Pass, Epic, etc.
- You don’t mind adjusting TDP, graphics presets and other settings to balance performance and battery life.
- You mostly play near a power outlet or are okay with 1–2 hour gaming sessions on battery.
For this kind of user, the Ally can be an excellent value handheld gaming PC, especially now that software updates have matured the experience and newer models have pushed its street price down.
5.2 You Should Probably Skip It If…
You might want to look at other options (Steam Deck OLED, ROG Ally X, other next-generation handhelds) if:
- You want console-like simplicity and minimal tinkering.
- Long battery life on the go (3–5+ hours of demanding games) is very important to you.
- You are uncomfortable with any potential thermal or SD card reader issues and want maximum robustness.
- You are willing to pay a premium for larger batteries, more memory and newer ergonomics.
6. Final Verdict
The original Asus ROG Ally is no longer the newest handheld on the market, but that actually works in its favour for value-conscious buyers. It still offers:
- Top-tier performance for a handheld PC
- One of the best displays in its category
- Excellent audio and very flexible Windows-based game compatibility
At the same time, you must accept:
- Short gaming battery life
- The quirks of running Windows on a 7-inch screen
- Past concerns around the SD card reader and some mixed impressions of warranty handling
If you find a good deal and you’re comfortable with a bit of PC tinkering, the Asus ROG Ally is absolutely still worth buying. But if you want maximum battery life, a very smooth console-like experience, or the latest hardware no matter the price, you should probably consider the ROG Ally X, Steam Deck OLED, or other next-generation handhelds instead.