Asus ROG Ally Z1 Extreme vs Steam Deck OLED: Which Handheld Gaming PC is Better?

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On July 1, 2024

Comparing the Asus ROG Ally Z1 Extreme and the Steam Deck OLED involves examining various key factors, including performance, display quality, design, ergonomics, pricing, availability, and software ecosystems. Here’s an in-depth look at how these two devices stack up against each other:

Performance

ROG Ally Z1 Extreme: Equipped with the AMD Ryzen Z1 Extreme processor, the ROG Ally offers significantly higher performance compared to the AMD APU in the Steam Deck OLED. It can scale its power consumption up to 30W, enhancing its performance capabilities. However, some reports indicate that performance has regressed slightly over time due to BIOS updates.
Steam Deck OLED: Powered by a custom AMD APU, the Steam Deck OLED is limited to 15W power consumption, which places it behind the ROG Ally in raw performance.

Display

Steam Deck OLED: Features a 7.4-inch OLED display with an 800p resolution and a 90Hz refresh rate. The OLED panel provides superior contrast, color accuracy, and HDR performance.
ROG Ally Z1 Extreme: Comes with a 7-inch 1080p LCD display and a 120Hz refresh rate. While this display is sharper and faster, it lacks the vibrant color and contrast levels of the OLED screen on the Steam Deck.

Design and Ergonomics

Steam Deck OLED: Offers a more understated, utilitarian design with an emphasis on functionality. It includes trackpads that provide mouse-like control, enhancing gameplay in genres that benefit from precise cursor movement.
ROG Ally Z1 Extreme: Boasts a more stylized appearance with aggressive aesthetics typical of the ROG (Republic of Gamers) brand. It lacks trackpads, which might be a disadvantage for certain games.

Both devices weigh around 600-650 grams, making them relatively portable and comfortable for extended gaming sessions.

Pricing and Availability

Steam Deck OLED: Priced at £479 for the 512GB model, it is more widely available and easier to purchase.
ROG Ally Z1 Extreme: Costs £599 and can be harder to find in stock, possibly due to higher demand or limited production.

Software and Ecosystem

Steam Deck OLED: Runs Valve’s SteamOS, providing a streamlined and user-friendly experience for accessing and playing games from the Steam library. This OS is optimized for handheld gaming, offering seamless integration with Steam’s vast ecosystem.
ROG Ally Z1 Extreme: Operates on Windows 11, offering greater flexibility and compatibility with a broader range of applications and games. However, it may provide a less optimized handheld experience compared to SteamOS out of the box.

Battery Life

Steam Deck OLED: Benefits from the power efficiency of its custom APU and OLED screen, potentially offering longer battery life under typical gaming conditions.
ROG Ally Z1 Extreme: While capable of higher performance, its increased power consumption at peak settings may lead to shorter battery life.

Game Library Compatibility

Steam Deck OLED: Seamlessly integrates with the Steam library, providing an optimized experience for Steam games, including easy access to features like cloud saves and community mods.
ROG Ally Z1 Extreme: Supports a wider range of game libraries due to its Windows 11 operating system, including Steam, Epic Games Store, Xbox Game Pass, and more, offering more flexibility in game selection.

Additional Features

Steam Deck OLED: Includes haptic feedback, customizable controls, and a more polished user interface tailored for gaming.
ROG Ally Z1 Extreme: Leverages ROG’s suite of gaming software and features, including Armoury Crate for performance tuning and game library management.

Conclusion

The Asus ROG Ally Z1 Extreme excels in raw performance, a faster display, and a stylized design, making it an excellent choice for gamers who prioritize performance and versatility. Conversely, the Steam Deck OLED shines with its superior OLED display, ergonomic controls, and polished handheld gaming experience, ideal for users who value display quality and a streamlined user interface.

Ultimately, the decision between the two hinges on individual priorities: choose the ROG Ally for cutting-edge performance and Windows compatibility, or opt for the Steam Deck for a better display and a more cohesive handheld gaming experience. Both devices are available for purchase on our website, phonesrefurb.com.