Nintendo Change 2 versus Asus ROG Ally: how these handhelds examine

The Nintendo Switch 2 has entered the ring, probably complicating your choice of which handheld to purchase this yr. Whereas Nintendo’s new console, which comes out on June fifth, could appear much like handheld gaming PCs just like the Steam Deck and Asus ROG Ally, there’s so much that units them aside. Every thing like how you purchase and play video games, their management strategies, how highly effective they’re, and how one can increase their storage makes them completely different. Distinctive doesn’t at all times imply “good,” by the best way.

Whereas tech-savvy of us probably perceive the important thing variations between every of the most important handhelds, probably sufficient to determine a choice, some might use a hand breaking issues down. That’s precisely what I’m going to do right here, particularly evaluating the Change 2 to the Asus ROG Ally and the Ally X, two of the most well-liked handheld gaming PCs that aren’t a Steam Deck (in small half as a result of they’re straightforward to purchase at Best Buy). I’ve already compared the Switch 2 to Valve’s console, so my focus right here is completely on Asus’ consoles which have a devoted fanbase and a few nice specs.

As talked about, the Change 2 will launch on June fifth. Preorders had been initially set to start on April ninth, however had been pushed as a result of Trump administration’s world tariffs. Whereas that scenario stays in flux, it’s doable that preorders may have begun (or will quickly), relying on if you learn this. Assuming no adjustments from tariffs, the Change 2 will likely be out there in two pricing configurations, every with 256GB of inside storage; the $449.99 base console and a $499.99 bundle that additionally contains Mario Kart World.

The Asus ROG Ally is on the market in a number of configurations, most of that are discounted recurrently (typically steeply, however for the needs of this put up, I’m going to share unique retail costs). It begins at $499.99 and options the AMD Ryzen Z1 processor, 16GB of RAM, and 512GB of storage, whereas electing for the extra highly effective model with the Z1 Excessive APU (and no different spec enhancements) bumps the worth as much as $649.99.

The ROG Ally X has so many enhancements that it’d as effectively be the ROG Ally 2 — and also you’ll pay a premium for them. We’ll go into extra element under, however pricing begins at $799.99 for the Z1 Excessive mannequin with 24GB of RAM, 1TB of storage, and a much bigger battery. Doubling the storage to 2TB provides $100, totaling $899.99.

The Change 2 and all Asus ROG Ally fashions (even the Ally X) have some specs in frequent. They every have 1080p LCD touchscreens with a 120Hz refresh price. Nonetheless, Nintendo’s handheld has a bigger display (7.9 inches to 7 inches, respectively). The Change 2’s display goes toe-to-toe with the Ally X with variable refresh price (VRR), which is a good characteristic to have — and fairly the shock to have it within the sub-$500 Change 2 — because it prevents the display from displaying choppiness because the body price fluctuates. Whereas the Ally and Ally X characteristic AMD’s FreeSync Premium, the Change 2 has a G-Sync show and HDR.

Nintendo hasn’t shared the height brightness for the Change 2’s display but, however the ROG Ally fashions go as much as 500 nits.

Efficiency and battery life

The ROG Ally — and particularly the ROG Ally X — provide a few of the greatest efficiency of any handheld gaming PCs in the marketplace. Whereas one would possibly suppose its Z1 Excessive processor is getting lengthy within the tooth, it debuted in 2023, it’s sooner than the Steam Deck, and extra succesful than the Z2 Go that didn’t impress us in its 2025 debut system, the Lenovo Legion Go S.

You’ll get one of the best efficiency within the expensive ROG Ally X (let The Verge’s Sean Hollister present you some game-by-game frames per second breakdowns in his review), due to its sooner reminiscence and extra environment friendly cooling in comparison with the usual ROG Ally. However even the extra inexpensive fashions provide a more-than-acceptable baseline, operating many common video games at over 60 frames per second at 720p, and in some circumstances, at 1080p. A number of titles can run above 100 frames per second.

The ROG Ally runs at increased energy ranges than the Steam Deck, but it’s unclear whether or not that’s the case for the Nintendo Change 2 as effectively. Nintendo is promising as much as 120 frames per second with some Change 2-exclusive titles that provide efficiency modes, however we’ll have to attend and see what sorts of visible compromises had been made to realize such a uncommon feat for a handheld.

The Change 2 differs drastically from the ROG Ally fashions due to its customized Nvidia processor. Whereas actual spec particulars about this Nvidia processor are slim, Nvidia has confirmed that the Change 2 helps DLSS (Nvidia’s graphics upscaling tech), which can probably be leaned on to realize quick body charges in video games at 1080p decision in handheld mode and at as much as 4K whereas the console is docked. We’re curious how DLSS seems in a low-powered system (the also-Nvidia-powered Change from 2017 predated DLSS’ existence). For comparability, the ROG Ally helps AMD’s comparable FSR upscaling tech, although the combination typically ends in a fuzzy-looking picture.

When it comes to battery life, Sean Hollister was left wanting extra out of the ROG Ally consoles. Whereas its 40Wh capability matches the Steam Deck, it spends its battery reserve sooner, even in low energy modes. Hollister stated in his ROG Ally overview that 4 hours of battery life was one of the best case state of affairs in comparison with the Steam Deck’s seven. Rather a lot was improved on within the ROG Ally X, past its impressively massive 80Wh inside battery. Hollister studies that the Ally X is much less power-hungry than the unique, letting you sport for longer.

Nintendo is at present being cagey about battery specs within the Change 2, solely sharing that it accommodates a 5,220mAh lithium-ion battery. It advertises battery life starting from two to 6 and a half hours, relying on the sport.

It’s slightly unusual to speak about joysticks within the efficiency part, however the ROG Ally fashions characteristic Corridor impact joysticks, whereas the Switch 2 does not. These function with magnetized mechanisms as a substitute of potentiometers, permitting the sticks to not put on down over time, resulting in worsening efficiency and inaccurate inputs. Given the controversy surrounding Nintendo’s Pleasure-Con drift, we’re shocked and dissatisfied that Nintendo opted to not go together with Corridor-effect sticks.

Each the Change 2 and ROG Ally fashions use quick inside storage, albeit differing kinds. The Change 2 options 256GB of UFS storage (non-upgradeable), and will be expanded with microSD Categorical playing cards, that are categorized as PCIe 3.0 NVMe SSDs however have the identical microSD card kind issue many people are accustomed to.

The usual ROG Ally contains an M.2-2230 SSD (user-replaceable), however you’ll must open it up to exchange it. This maneuver gained’t void your guarantee, but it surely’s not as simple as you might hope. For one thing less complicated, the ROG Ally helps microSD playing cards, together with UHS-II variations with sooner learn and write speeds. The latter will be costly and difficult to seek out in inventory, so I like to recommend going the SSD improve route should you really need extra storage.

One of many many enhancements within the ROG Ally X is the assist for M.2-2280 SSDs, full-size M.2 SSDs that aren’t shrunk down to suit into tiny devices. These SSDs are a lot simpler to seek out in massive storage capacities (and are sometimes discounted), so it’s a bonus that the ROG Ally X helps them in addition to microSD playing cards.

Transferring on to docking, the Change 2 and the ROG Ally had been each designed as hybrid consoles that may be loved as a handheld, or by linking as much as an exterior display. Docking is extra core to the Change 2 expertise, simply because it was with the unique Change, since Nintendo features a TV dock with the console. With it, you may sport at as much as 4K decision, capped at 60 frames per second over HDMI. The dock is low-frills, containing an Ethernet port, a USB-C energy plug, an HDMI port, and two USB-A 2.0 ports.

Not one of the ROG Ally consoles embrace a dock (solely a 65W USB-C energy adapter), although Asus makes one which’s comparable in execution to the Genki Covert Dock. It’s a 65W energy brick with an HDMI 2.0 port to hook up with a show, and one USB-A 2.0 port for connecting an adjunct. It prices $64.99 by means of Best Buy, however you’re higher off getting one thing cheaper on Amazon from JSAUX or Anker, each of which make docks that rival the official Steam Deck docking station when it comes to ports.

In fact, should you’re rolling in it, be at liberty to purchase the ROG XG Mobile external GPU that doubles as a docking station. It plugs into the ROG Ally’s proprietary port on the highest, and it’s the price of a high-end gaming laptop computer. I don’t advocate it as a result of it’s tremendous costly, and but, you’ll be bottlenecked by the velocity of the ROG Ally’s Ryzen Z1 APU. The ROG Ally X dropped assist for the XG Cell.

The Change 2 and ROG Ally have some video games in frequent. Many video games coming to the Change 2 in 2025 are already out on PC, together with Cyberpunk 2077, Cut up Fiction, Remaining Fantasy VII Remake Intergrade, and extra (and are typically discounted, no much less). However how you purchase video games on them is completely different, and that comes right down to the software program. Whereas the Change 2 is restricted to titles on the eShop, the ROG Ally runs Home windows 11. As such, you’re free to put in any sport platform out there on that OS. That features Steam, the Epic Video games Retailer, Ubisoft Join, and others. Video games are extra inexpensive on PCs (the ROG Ally is a PC, regardless of its handheld kind issue).

Whereas the flexibility to run any sport from any platform is considered one of Home windows’ greatest benefits in opposition to the Change 2 (and in comparison with the Steam Deck, as effectively), there are downsides. Particularly, Home windows 11 isn’t an ideal expertise for handhelds, because the OS doesn’t adapt effectively to the built-in controls and touchscreen. Then again, connecting a mouse and keyboard? That’s one other story. The Asus ROG Ally will likely be among the many first handhelds not made by Valve to be supported by official SteamOS in an update coming soon.

The Change 2 has a particular mouse mode, for which builders are creating management schemes. Video games that assist it should assist you to play with normal controls, then seamlessly change to mouse-based controls when the participant turns the Pleasure-Con 2 in order that its sensor faces a tough floor. It’s intriguing, however ROG Ally gamers aren’t lacking out on a lot as a result of they will join a wi-fi mouse to play their favourite video games.