The ASUS ROG Ally X and the Nintendo Switch OLED are two of the most popular handheld devices in today's market and with good reason. Both devices offer incredible performance and game experiences on a portable setup. One offers almost PC-like graphics and quality, while the other makes the most out of a handheld configuration.
While the two devices highly differ from each other, they do share one thing in common: handheld mode of gameplay. So choosing between the two can get quite tricky, especially because they're just so good at what they do. In this article, we'll dissect these consoles and compare them based on performance, display, and more to help you make an informed decision.
ASUS ROG Ally X vs Nintendo Switch OLED: What are their differences?
The ASUS ROG Ally X and the Nintendo Switch OLED are very different devices. By very, we mean, far apart in terms of processors, memory, and even storage. The ROG Ally X offers 24GB DDR5 RAM which is a behemoth compared to the 4GB RAM on the Switch OLED.
Moreover, you only get 64GB baseline storage on the Switch, which is tiny compared to the 1TB SSD storage on the ROG Ally X. Asus's handheld also has far better speakers with Dolby Atmos support, and is more preferred by gamers. However, the difference is almost non-existent when you use a good-quality headphone.
The best part about the Switch OLED is you can have a physical copy of the game. It supports both digital games and can read physical cartridges. This gives the Switch OLED an advantage, essentially allowing for offline gameplay (only in single-player titles) whenever you want.
Despite having a far lower battery life, many prefer the Switch OLED's battery. Indie games barely consume any battery and can run for hours on end. Part of the reason for the ROG Ally X's low battery life is its rather "overkill" hardware. For the small frame, it gives a decent battery, to say the least.
The ROG Ally X is said to run around three to four hours on normal mode and two to three on turbo mode, which increases the wattage used. The Switch OLED on the other hand, offers up to nine hours of battery life on less demanding games. This right here should give you a good idea about what it's like playing on one of these. Check out the performance below, the difference is just as remarkable, however, the odds favor the ROG Ally X.
ASUS ROG Ally X vs Nintendo Switch OLED: Performance
Comparing the performance of the ROG Ally X and the Switch OLED is like comparing apples to oranges. They're both quite different pieces of tech and upon comparing the on-paper specs, the difference is just otherworldly.
The ASUS ROG Ally X is practically a PC that's portable and has performance that's akin to what you'd see on a computer. The graphics don't look like they're from a console and seem significantly realistic. By default, you get an average of 50-60fps on most games. Moreover, the framerates get a boost of almost 10fps when plugged in, which is a superb feature.
Cyberpunk 2077 runs at a whopping 91 fps with turbo mode. Of course, it runs at a lower resolution and textures aren't even comparable to an RTX 40 series PC, but being able to play a super demanding game on a handheld at such high framerates is commendable.
Gaming on the Nintendo Switch OLED though, is a slightly different ball game. The graphics do very much look like they're from a console, with softer textures and lower resolution. The framerates are quite good, most of the time very playable at around 50-60fps for games like RDR2 and sometimes barely crossing 30fps on titles like Dark Souls Remastered.
ASUS ROG Ally X vs Nintendo Switch OLED: Which has a better display?
As you saw above, the Nintendo Switch OLED doesn't compare very well with the ASUS ROG Ally X when it comes to performance. But on the bright side, gaming on the Nintendo looks far better, because of the OLED panel. Both devices have a 7-inch display, but the ASUS ROG features a standard IPS panel compared to the bright OLED on the Switch.
While the ROG Ally X has a lower-quality panel, it gets double the refresh rate that you see on the Switch. The 120fps refresh rate on the ROG looks much smoother and has far lowering stuttering compared to the 60fps screen of the Switch OLED.
Most gamers prefer the Switch's OLED display over the Ally X simply because it is more enjoyable and immersive.
ASUS ROG Ally X vs Nintendo Switch OLED: Which has greater value for money?
If we put aside the obvious downsides in Nintendo's performance, it actually gets the upper hand in terms of battery life and display quality. Which, for some people, is sufficient, and exactly what they're looking for. It is much more affordable and has the features that everyone needs.
The ASUS ROG Ally X comes to around $799, whereas the Nintendo Switch OLED costs less than half the price at $349.
So in this case, go for the ROG Ally X if you can afford it and don't mind the lower battery life. However, if you are on a tighter budget, don't hesitate to go for the Nintendo Switch OLED as it is still an incredible console that can give you hours of enjoyable game experiences.
ASUS ROG Ally X vs Nintendo Switch OLED: Final Verdict
The final winner in this comparison would be the ASUS ROG Ally X. As we mentioned above, it is like comparing a PC with a handheld console, so the difference is night and day. The Ally X is far better in terms of performance, graphic quality, and overall comfort.
However, the Nintendo Switch OLED is still a stellar option for handheld gaming as it is better in regards to battery life, display, and overall ecosystem and accessories. Choose the device that fits your budget, as you won't be disappointed with either one.
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