The ROG Ally, a next-generation portable console developed by Asus ROG to compete with the Steam Deck, was revealed on April 1st. This was a complete surprise. Unfortunately, even though the model and specifications were already known, the ROG Ally pricing model still needed to be verified. Therefore, the only thing that could be done was to speculate on how much the device would cost.
Someone who calls themselves a leaker has broken down the ROG Ally on Reddit, emphasizing that they have first-hand familiarity with the console. They posed questions while they were having fun, and they were given answers.
And as luck would have it, the queries covered the pricing structure of ROG Ally and the release window for the product.
What are the exact specifications of The ROG Ally?
Because the ROG Ally was announced on April 1st, many people initially believed it was a joke in honor of April Fool’s Day. It is an odd day for anyone to make a legitimate announcement, yet Asus did it, and here we are as a result.
The fact that the squad was called “Ally” did not help matters.
“A Lie.”
Certain things are generally known about the small yet powerful console, which is being touted as a ‘handheld PC.’ The ROG Ally’s specifications have yet to be confirmed. Still, some things are generally known about the console.
For instance, it offers a 7-inch IPS LCD with a resolution of 1920 x 1080 and a refresh rate of 120Hz, immediately placing it in a position of superiority compared to the Steam Deck. Initial reports indicate that Asus has collaborated with AMD to develop a bespoke, high-powered processor that will be superior to anything currently housed within the Steam Deck.
In addition, Asus asserts that the ROG Ally has a lower noise level than the Steam Deck. In addition, in the view of the author of this piece, it has a more appealing appearance, with crisper edges, an enticing color scheme, and even a dash of RGB. This one has a more “gamer” vibe than the black-on-black Steam Deck.
A connector can be upgraded to an M.2 SSD and a drive that can expand in the form of a microSD card reader. In addition, the Ally can be connected to Asus’ ROG XG external GPU device. This means that when the Ally is docked, gaming power with the equivalent driving force of an RTX 4090 may be linked to the device.
Because it comes preinstalled with Windows 11, it is compatible with a significantly larger number of games than the Steam Deck. The marketing hashtag for this product is #PlayALLYourGames – a brilliant play on words.
So, Could You Walk Me Through the ROG Ally Price Structure?
One person highlighted on Reddit that they had first-hand experience with the ROG Ally and that they were able to validate the console’s pricing points. In addition to this, they mentioned that certain features had been omitted during production so that the ROG Ally could continue to be competitive with the Steam Deck.
It was also explained that Ally’s bespoke operating system (OS) is still being developed. Still, it can already connect with Steam and Origin (although this will be the case for a little longer), Epic Games, and even Xbox Game Pass. Moreover, it supports VR.
According to reports, the device would initially be offered in white or black. The price will be determined by the amount of storage space it offers. The following is a description of what we are ostensibly looking at:
- 512GB – $649
- 1TB – $899
In addition, the source of information claims that the release window will be in October of 2023.
In addition, the person claimed that while he was demonstrating the device with Asus personnel, they were talking about a secret Sony handheld’ that is now being developed. As this has been a question mark ever since the PlayStation Vita was discontinued, it is high time that Sony produced some product for that particular market.
These rumors should, as always, be taken with a grain of salt due to the lack of confirmation regarding the ROG Ally price model and the launch window.
