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Nintendo Switch 2 vs ROG Ally: Both are excellent consoles, but which handheld is better? Let’s explore their capabilities.
In 2025, we saw many exciting hardware launches. The Nintendo Switch 2 just launched, and it’s taking the gaming industry by storm! Powered by Nvidia graphics, its capabilities are impressing everybody. Another major company that has excelled at making handheld gaming consoles is Asus. The ROG Ally is also a PC, but it is designed to be a powerful gaming handheld to compete with other devices such as the Switch.
Everything from the software to the available games and features is different on these two devices. Let’s discuss how these two consoles compare to each other.
Nintendo Switch 2 vs ROG Ally: Which One Is Better
Pricing Overview
- Nintendo Switch 2: $449.99 (base model) | $499.99 (Mario Kart World bundle)
- ASUS ROG Ally: $599–$649 (depends on the model)
Note: Pricing may change depending on your region, bundle, and vendor.
Design Comparison
Speaking of the design, right off the bat, the Nintendo Switch 2 is a more portable handheld. It is a gaming handheld that is super easy to carry around wherever you go. The Switch 2 (with Joy-Cons attached) weighs 1.18 lbs (534g), a stark increase in weight compared to the original Nintendo Switch, which was 0.88 lbs (297g). But despite the weight increase, the Switch 2 is a super portable device that is comfortable to hold in your hand.
Nintendo’s Switch 2 features magnetic Joy-Con controllers, with improved plastic materials compared to the last generation. The Switch 2 retains the iconic Nintendo handheld’s all-gray look, with multi-colored Joy-Cons.
ASUS ROG Ally, on the other hand, is a different story. This handheld is less portable and less ergonomic to use compared to the Nintendo Switch 2. The weight is 1.34 lbs (608g), and that increased weight results in a more uncomfortable experience compared to the Switch 2. The ROG Ally design looks quite futuristic, with a white color scheme. It uses plastic material and has curved edges to make holding the device easier.
On the back of the handheld, it has a ROG logo-designed exhaust, along with a holographic strip. There is also Aura Sync RGB support, as the handheld’s thumbsticks light up.
Features
Nintendo Switch 2 is packed with exclusive features. Firstly, it runs on a custom-designed operating system. The handheld only supports games that are part of the Nintendo ecosystem. It also supports backward compatibility for older Switch titles. The new Nintendo Switch 2 supports High Dynamic Range (HDR) as well. Overall, Nintendo Switch 2 has very restricted software, and if you use it, you have to stay locked into the hardware and software it supports.
On the other hand, ASUS ROG Ally is a portable personal computer. It can act as a laptop, complete with traditional keyboard and mouse support. You can install any game you want on the ROG Ally and use various game stores such as Steam or the Xbox app to buy them. Even the operating system can be changed to SteamOS if you want a more focused experience. The ROG Ally also supports upgrading its storage with a different NVMe SSD, if you fancy tinkering with your hardware.
Overall, Nintendo Switch 2 offers an exclusive adventure if you choose it. With games like Mario Kart World not available on other platforms, you get a unique experience that is unavailable elsewhere. ROG Ally gives you all the freedom you want. You can even run streaming services on the ROG Ally, which isn’t possible on the Switch 2. Since the ROG Ally is a PC, you also get to plug in several compatible accessories that work with other laptops. Nintendo Switch 2 is only compatible with what is officially supported by the handheld, such as the official Nintendo Switch 2 Camera.
Hardware Comparison
Controllers and Build
- Nintendo Switch 2: Joy-Con 2 detachable controllers, with a 78g weight for each of them. Features joysticks with textured grips. A modular design allows you to share the controller as well.
- ROG Ally: An Xbox-style controller adapted to fit around the device’s thickness. Hall effect joysticks are present, making them more durable.
Device Construction
- Nintendo Switch 2: Dimensions are 272mm x 116mm x 13.9mm. A lightweight and portable gaming console made of plastic materials with a tougher build compared to the original Switch.
- ROG Ally: Dimensions are 280mm x 111mm x 21.2mm. Slightly on the heavier side. Made out of reinforced plastic.
Technical Specifications
| Specification | Nintendo Switch 2 | ASUS ROG Ally |
|---|---|---|
| Device | Nintendo Switch 2 | ASUS ROG Ally |
| CPU | Custom Nvidia Chip (Cortex A78C with 8 cores) | Up to AMD Ryzen Z1 Extreme (8 Cores, 16 Threads, Zen 4 Architecture) |
| GPU | Custom Nvidia Chip (Ampere Architecture, 1536 CUDA Cores) | RDNA 2 (12 CUs, integrated) |
| RAM | 12GB LPDDR5X | 16GB LPDDR5 (6400 MT/s) |
| Storage | 256GB UFS Storage (upgradeable with microSD) | 512GB NVMe PCIe Gen 4 SSD (2230-type, upgradeable) |
| Battery Size | 5220mAh | 40 WHrs |
| Battery Life | 2–6.5 hours | ~1 hour with heavy gaming, longer with 15W TDP |
| Video Output | Display output via dock (4K 60Hz or 1440p 120Hz) | Display output via USB-C (4K Supported) |
| Screen Specifications | 7.9-inch LCD display, 1080p resolution, 120Hz refresh rate with VRR | 7-inch LCD display (IPS-level), 1080p resolution, 120Hz refresh rate with FreeSync |
| Max Framerate | 120Hz (handheld/docked) | 120Hz (VRR supported) |
| HDR Support | Yes | No |
| Weight | 534g (with Joy-Cons) | 730g |
| Dimensions | 272mm x 116mm x 13.9mm | 280 x 111 x 21.2mm to 32.4mm (device has curves) |
Performance Benchmarks
Note: Results are derived from publicly available sources.
Nintendo Switch 2: Features an Nvidia GPU close to an RTX 2050 or RTX 3050 mobile chip, although with fewer CUDA cores. Cyberpunk 2077 runs at 1080p 30FPS on the Nintendo Switch 2, with 40FPS available in performance mode.
ROG Ally: Features an AMD Radeon GPU, which is slightly slower than the GTX 1650. Performance can be improved with a faster dedicated GPU by plugging in a compatible XG Mobile eGPU through the dedicated port available on the ROG Ally.
Nintendo Switch 2 vs ROG Ally: Overall Impressions
Nintendo Switch 2 is excellent for gaming, with amazing performance in both docked and undocked modes. The hardware is perfectly balanced to meet developer requirements, with developers like CDPR, who created Cyberpunk, being quite impressed with the Switch 2’s capabilities. With Joy-Con 2, gaming is fun, and it even allows multiplayer action. It has great battery life and is a superb option for most people.
ROG Ally is like a PC in your hands, with powerful specifications that can be upgraded via the XG Mobile accessory. It has shorter battery life, but more freedom to run your games. It offers much more flexibility in terms of software; the ROG Ally allows you to do basically anything with it. It is a more preferable device for users who want Windows rather than Nintendo’s ecosystem.
Conclusion
- Choose the ROG Ally if you prefer Windows as your operating system and want to play a wide variety of games.
- Choose the Nintendo Switch 2 if you prefer Nintendo’s ecosystem and want to play exclusive titles like Mario Kart World.
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