Head-to-head · Best Handheld Gaming PCs

ASUS ROG Ally X vs Steam Deck OLED

Which is the better buy? Side-by-side on rating, price, strengths, and watch-outs — with the published ratings we averaged to get there.

The short answer

Steam Deck OLED comes out ahead by a narrow margin (4.3 vs 4.5). The gap is mostly about Visual quality enthusiasts — read the strengths below before deciding.

Ranked #3 in Best Handheld Gaming PCs

ASUS ROG Ally X

4.3

The ASUS ROG Ally X represents an incremental but meaningful upgrade to the original handheld PC, featuring a more powerful AMD Ryzen Z2 A processor and refined ergonomics. Reviewers noted its improved button placement and slightly better battery life, though the device still falls short in battery endurance. The Xbox-branded interface streamlines access to both Xbox Game Pass and other platforms, though this may not suit users outside the Microsoft ecosystem. Tom's Hardware called it a solid iteration that improves on an already strong foundation, while Reddit users in r/SteamDeck reported mixed feelings about the Xbox UI integration.

Strengths

— Slightly more powerful than predecessor with AMD Ryzen Z2 A processor
— Refined build with comfortable hand grips and improved button layout
— Better battery life compared to original model

Watch-outs

— Battery life still insufficient for extended use
— Xbox UI may not appeal to non-Microsoft ecosystem users

Check Price on Amazon Full review →

Higher ratedRanked #1 in Best Handheld Gaming PCs

Steam Deck OLED

4.5

$1,074.87as of Jul 6

The Steam Deck OLED represents a significant visual upgrade over its predecessor, with reviewers praising the OLED screen's color accuracy, HDR support, and 90Hz refresh rate. Birchtree noted the display's superiority over the original LCD model, calling it 'spectacular' and 'eye-searingly delightful.' The device also features improved Wi-Fi 6E, slightly better battery life, and quieter fans. However, some reviewers noted that the fan noise remains audible in quiet settings, and the battery improvement is modest. This model appeals to users seeking enhanced visual quality and performance over the original Steam Deck, though those prioritizing battery life or silent operation may find it lacking.

Strengths

— OLED screen delivers exceptional color reproduction and HDR support with 1,000 nits max brightness
— 90Hz refresh rate improves game smoothness and reduces input latency
— Quieter fans compared to the original Steam Deck model

Watch-outs

— Fan noise still audible in quiet environments, though improved from original
— Battery life improvement is marginal and not as good as Nintendo Switch

$1,074.87 · Check Price on Amazon Full review →

How they stack up

ASUS ROG Ally X

The ASUS ROG Ally X stands out with its Xbox-branded UI and Game Pass integration, which differentiates it from competitors like the Valve Steam Deck OLED that focuses on SteamOS. However, while it offers slightly better battery life than its predecessor, it still falls short compared to the MSI Claw 8's 80WHr capacity and lacks the raw performance of the Lenovo Legion Go S with its Z1 Extreme chipset.

Steam Deck OLED

The Steam Deck OLED excels in display quality over the Valve Steam Deck OLED with its vibrant HDR and 1,000 nits peak brightness, though the latter offers better battery life and a more refined overall experience. Compared to the MSI Claw 8, it lacks the larger 8-inch screen and superior battery capacity, but provides a more polished SteamOS experience.

Specs side-by-side

Spec	ASUS ROG Ally X	Steam Deck OLED
Processor	AMD Ryzen Z2 A	Revised AMD 'Van Gogh' 6nm
Display	7 inch, 1920 x 1080 px	7.4" OLED
Memory	16 GB LPDDR5-6400	16GB LPDDR5 6400MT/s
Storage	512 GB NVMe PCIe gen 4	512GB and 1TB options
Graphics	12 RDNA 3 CUs, up to 2.7 GHz	8 RDNA 2 CUs, 1.6GHz
Refresh Rate	120Hz	90Hz
Battery	40 Wh	50Whr battery

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