ASUS ROG Ally 2 Review: Best Handheld Gaming PC?

The handheld gaming PC market has matured rapidly since the Steam Deck proved the concept in 2022. The ASUS ROG Ally 2 represents the Windows handheld category's best argument for choosing a full PC over Valve's Linux-based ecosystem.

We spent three weeks testing the ASUS ROG Ally 2 across AAA games, emulation, productivity, and travel to deliver this comprehensive review.

Hardware Overview

The ROG Ally 2 packs AMD's Ryzen Z2 Extreme processor with RDNA 3.5 integrated graphics, a 7-inch 1080p 120Hz AMOLED display, 16GB LPDDR5X RAM, and a 80Wh battery — a massive 40% increase over the original Ally's 40Wh cell. It runs full Windows 11 with access to Steam, Epic Games Store, Xbox Game Pass, and any Windows-compatible game.

Gaming Performance

AAA Games

Cyberpunk 2077 runs at 30-40 FPS on medium settings at 720p, reaching a stable 30 at 1080p on low. Starfield manages 25-35 FPS on medium at 720p. Elden Ring hits a consistent 45-50 FPS at 720p medium. These are impressive numbers for a handheld device, though they require acceptance that you are trading visual fidelity for portability.

The AMOLED display makes games look dramatically better than the original Ally's IPS LCD. The infinite contrast ratio, vibrant colors, and deep blacks transform the experience. Dark scenes in horror games and atmospheric RPGs benefit enormously.

Indie and Older Games

The ROG Ally 2 excels with indie titles and games from previous generations. Hades, Hollow Knight, Stardew Valley, and similar titles run at 1080p 120FPS without breaking a sweat. The 120Hz display makes these games feel silky smooth.

Emulation

Emulation performance is outstanding. PS2, GameCube, Wii, and most Switch titles run at full speed or better. PS3 emulation via RPCS3 handles many titles at playable framerates. This versatility is a significant advantage over the Steam Deck.

The Windows Problem

Windows 11 on a 7-inch screen remains awkward despite ASUS's Armoury Crate SE overlay. The overlay handles game launching well, but anytime you need to interact with Windows itself — adjusting settings, managing files, troubleshooting — the experience is frustrating. Touch targets are small, text is tiny, and Windows was fundamentally not designed for a screen this size.

The Steam Deck's SteamOS provides a vastly smoother handheld experience. If you primarily play Steam games and value polish over flexibility, the Steam Deck OLED remains the better choice.

Battery Life

The 80Wh battery is a game-changer. Playing Baldur's Gate 3 at medium settings with display brightness at 50%, we consistently achieved 2.5-3 hours of gameplay. Less demanding games like Hades and Stardew Valley stretched to 5-6 hours. General browsing and video streaming reached 7-8 hours.

The original Ally's 40Wh battery was its fatal flaw, often dying in 90 minutes during AAA gaming. The Ally 2 doubles that and makes the device genuinely usable for cross-country flights and road trips.

The included 65W USB-C charger is compact and provides rapid charging — 0 to 50% in about 35 minutes.

Controls and Ergonomics

The Ally 2's controls are excellent. The Hall effect joysticks eliminate drift concerns, the triggers have adjustable travel, and the overall button quality matches dedicated gaming controllers. After three-hour sessions, hand fatigue is minimal — the ergonomic grip design distributes weight comfortably.

The ASUS ROG Ally 2 Travel Case is a recommended addition for protection during travel.

The Display

The 7-inch 1080p AMOLED display is the best screen on any handheld gaming device. 120Hz refresh rate, 1ms response time, 1,000 nits peak brightness, and 100% DCI-P3 color gamut. Games look stunning. The anti-glare coating handles reflections well in varied lighting conditions.

Compared to the Steam Deck OLED's 7.4-inch HDR OLED display, the Ally 2 is slightly smaller but sharper (1080p vs 800p).

Who Should Buy This

The ROG Ally 2 is for gamers who want access to their entire PC game library on the go, including Game Pass titles, Epic exclusives, and emulation. It is the best Windows handheld available and a meaningful upgrade over the original Ally.

If you primarily play Steam games and want a seamless experience without Windows friction, the Steam Deck OLED is still our recommendation.

Compare handhelds in our gaming guide →

Rating: 8.5/10 — The best Windows handheld, held back by Windows itself.

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