Nintendo Swap 2 versus Asus ROG Ally: how these handhelds evaluate

The Nintendo Swap 2 has entered the ring, probably complicating your determination of which handheld to purchase this yr. Whereas Nintendo’s new console, which comes out on June fifth, could seem much like handheld gaming PCs just like the Steam Deck and Asus ROG Ally, there’s lots that units them aside. All the pieces 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 foremost handhelds, probably sufficient to ascertain a desire, some might use a hand breaking issues down. That’s precisely what I’m going to do right here, particularly evaluating the Swap 2 to the Asus ROG Ally and the Ally X, two of the preferred handheld gaming PCs that aren’t a Steam Deck (in small half as a result of they’re straightforward to purchase at Greatest Purchase). I’ve already in contrast the Swap 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 Swap 2 will launch on June fifth. Preorders have been initially set to start on April ninth, however have been pushed because of the Trump administration’s international tariffs. Whereas that state of affairs stays in flux, it’s attainable that preorders may have begun (or will quickly), relying on if you learn this. Assuming no modifications from tariffs, the Swap 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 accessible in a number of configurations, most of that are discounted often (generally steeply, however for the needs of this put up, I’m going to share authentic 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 would as effectively be the ROG Ally 2 — and also you’ll pay a premium for them. We’ll go into extra element beneath, however pricing begins at $799.99 for the Z1 Excessive mannequin with 24GB of RAM, 1TB of storage, and an even bigger battery. Doubling the storage to 2TB provides $100, totaling $899.99.

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

Nintendo hasn’t shared the height brightness for the Swap 2’s display screen 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 number of the greatest efficiency of any handheld gaming PCs in the marketplace. Whereas one may assume 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 gadget, the Lenovo Legion Go S.

You’ll get the perfect 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 overview), because of 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, working many well-liked video games at over 60 frames per second at 720p, and in some instances, at 1080p. A number of titles can run above 100 frames per second.

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

The Swap 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 Swap 2 helps DLSS (Nvidia’s graphics upscaling tech), which is able to probably be leaned on to attain 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 appears in a low-powered gadget (the also-Nvidia-powered Swap from 2017 predated DLSS’ existence). For comparability, the ROG Ally helps AMD’s comparable FSR upscaling tech, although the combination generally leads to 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 the perfect case situation in comparison with the Steam Deck’s seven. Rather a lot was improved on within the ROG Ally X, past its impressively giant 80Wh inside battery. Hollister reviews 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 Swap 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 just a little unusual to speak about joysticks within the efficiency part, however the ROG Ally fashions characteristic Corridor impact joysticks, whereas the Swap 2 doesn’t. These function with magnetized mechanisms as an alternative 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 stunned and dissatisfied that Nintendo opted to not go together with Corridor-effect sticks.

Each the Swap 2 and ROG Ally fashions use quick inside storage, albeit differing kinds. The Swap 2 options 256GB of UFS storage (non-upgradeable), and might be expanded with microSD Specific 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 switch it. This maneuver gained’t void your guarantee, however it’s not so simple as you may hope. For one thing easier, the ROG Ally helps microSD playing cards, together with UHS-II variations with sooner learn and write speeds. The latter might be costly and hard to search out in inventory, so I like to recommend going the SSD improve route in case you actually 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 search out in giant storage capacities (and are sometimes discounted), so it’s a bonus that the ROG Ally X helps them in addition to microSD playing cards.

Shifting on to docking, the Swap 2 and the ROG Ally have been each designed as hybrid consoles that may be loved as a handheld, or by linking as much as an exterior display screen. Docking is extra core to the Swap 2 expertise, simply because it was with the unique Swap, since Nintendo features a TV dock with the console. With it, you possibly can 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 embody 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 connect with a show, and one USB-A 2.0 port for connecting an adjunct. It prices $64.99 by way of Greatest Purchase, 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 by way of ports.

After all, in case you’re rolling in it, be at liberty to purchase the ROG XG Cell exterior 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 suggest it as a result of it’s tremendous costly, and but, you’ll be bottlenecked by the pace of the ROG Ally’s Ryzen Z1 APU. The ROG Ally X dropped assist for the XG Cell.

The Swap 2 and ROG Ally have some video games in widespread. Many video games coming to the Swap 2 in 2025 are already out on PC, together with Cyberpunk 2077, Cut up Fiction, Last Fantasy VII Remake Intergrade, and extra (and are generally discounted, no much less). However how you purchase video games on them is completely different, and that comes all the way down to the software program. Whereas the Swap 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 power to run any sport from any platform is one in every of Home windows’ greatest benefits towards the Swap 2 (and in comparison with the Steam Deck, as effectively), there are downsides. Specifically, Home windows 11 isn’t an important expertise for handhelds, because the OS doesn’t adapt effectively to the built-in controls and touchscreen. However, 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 replace coming quickly.

The Swap 2 has a particular mouse mode, for which builders are creating management schemes. Video games that assist it should will let you play with normal controls, then seamlessly swap 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’ll join a wi-fi mouse to play their favourite video games.