Gamers and tech enthusiasts have been eagerly awaiting the announcement of the Asus ROG Ally since its reveal earlier this year. And with the latest leak about its price, the hype has only grown. The handheld console, powered by an AMD Ryzen Z1 Extreme APU, is set to cost just US$699, according to Twitter leaker SnoopyTech. With 512 GB of internal storage, 16 GB of RAM, a 120 Hz screen, and Windows 11, this price point could spell trouble for the Steam Deck, Valve's upcoming handheld console.
Asus had previously announced that it would reveal the price and availability of the ROG Ally on May 11. The company had also stated that the price for both variants of the device would be "below US$1,000." However, with the latest leak, it seems that the top-spec model could be even cheaper than many had anticipated.
While there is a chance that the leaked price could be a placeholder, it is still a significant development that could shake up the handheld gaming market. If the Asus ROG Ally is indeed priced at US$699, it will be competing directly with the Steam Deck, which is set to launch at a starting price of US$399 for the 64 GB model and US$529 for the 512 GB model.
One of the most significant advantages that the Asus ROG Ally has over the Steam Deck is its hardware. The AMD Ryzen Z1 Extreme APU is a powerful chip that can deliver excellent performance. Previous Geekbench listings have shown that the performance delta between the Ryzen Z1 Extreme and Ryzen Z1 is significant, and even AMD's official slides have highlighted the difference. This means that the top-spec model of the ROG Ally will likely be a formidable contender against the Steam Deck.
In addition to the Ryzen Z1 Extreme APU, the Asus ROG Ally also comes with a 1080p 120 Hz screen, which is a significant improvement over the Steam Deck's 720p 60 Hz screen. The higher refresh rate and resolution will make a noticeable difference in gameplay, providing a smoother and more immersive experience. And with 512 GB of internal storage and 16 GB of RAM, the ROG Ally will be able to handle even the most demanding games with ease.
One potential disadvantage of the Asus ROG Ally, however, could be its battery life. While Asus claims that the device will have comparable battery life to the Steam Deck, the more powerful hardware could put a strain on the battery. It remains to be seen how long the ROG Ally will last on a single charge, but this could be a sore point for some gamers.
Despite this, the fact that the Asus ROG Ally can reportedly run Fortnite at 1080p 60 FPS is impressive. AMD's Frank Azor confirmed this in a recent tweet, although he did not specify the graphics settings or whether any resolution upscaling technology was used. Nonetheless, it is an encouraging sign that the ROG Ally will be able to handle even the most demanding games.
Overall, the leak about the Asus ROG Ally's price is significant news for the gaming industry. If the device is indeed priced at US$699, it will be a formidable contender against the Steam Deck, which has been generating a lot of buzz in recent months. While the Steam Deck has the advantage of being developed by Valve and having a dedicated fan base, the Asus ROG Ally's superior hardware could be a game-changer. Gamers will have to wait until May 11 to see whether the leak is accurate and to find out more about the device's availability and performance.
