• ASUS has provided a launch date and some specifications for its upcoming handheld, the ROG Ally.
• The machine will be lightweight at 608g and will feature a purpose-built AMD Ryzen Z1 processor and Windows 11.
• ASUS expects the ROG Ally to launch on 11th May during a virtual presentation from the manufacturer.

First announced on April Fool’s Day by ASUS, the Republic of Gamers (ROG) Ally is anything but a joke.

For all intents and purposes, it is ASUS’ turn at taking on the Steam Deck. On Tuesday ASUS South Africa sent out more information about the ROG Ally, hopefully indicating that the machine could be heading for the local market at some point in the near future.

ASUS also gave us a bit more information on the hardware we’re looking at for the ROG Ally, namely that it is powered by an AMD Ryzen Z1 series processor, and that it runs Windows 11 as its OS. Users can navigate through menus using its touchscreen display. Further, ASUS says the machine will be quite lightweight at only 608g.

In terms of its handgrips, which gamers will be holding on to for most of the time, come with unique triangle texturing on the rear allowing for “a solid hold on the machine from any angle”. ROG styling lines adorn the palm side of the grip while also helping to reduce any accidental slipping.

ASUS indicates that the ROG Ally processor, the AMD Ryzen Z1 is all-new and purpose-built for the machine. It features RDNA 3 graphics with the manufacturer hoping for, “never-before-seen levels of handheld gaming performance.”

While light-on-performance indie titles and boomer classics will be a breeze on the Ally, ASUS says that AAA power hogs will also hit high frames, especially through the Ally’s Zero Gravity thermal system. A dual-fan affair with ultra-thin heatsink fins and high-friction heat pipes. Ensuring that your handheld doesn’t become as hot as lava in your hands.

In terms of display, ASUS says the ROG Ally is equipped with a 120Hz Full HD (1080p) panel with FreeSyncTM Premium support. It has a max brightness of 500 nits allowing for outdoor play.

The touchscreen display also allows navigation of the Windows desktop when you need to change settings or install new games.

“Navigating the Windows desktop is a seamless experience, either through the Ally’s joysticks and buttons or through Windows’ robust touchscreen support,” enthuses ASUS.

Addiotionally, ASUS says a new special edition of the Armoury Crate app is making its debut with the ROG Ally. This app comes with performance toggles for more game customization, a game launcher, and in-game performance monitoring, and more.

ROG is also offering a bundled 90-day trial of Xbox Game Pass Ultimate when purchasing the machine, giving users instant access to hundreds of games from Xbox Game Studios, indie studios, and others. It has been confirmed that since it runs Windows 11, Steam games will also be available on the Ally.

According to ASUS, the ROG Ally will see its launch at an event on 11th May 2023. The keynote of this event will start at 16:00 South African time. While no local availability has yet to be revealed, we reported previously that the machine would most likely hit the Canadian market first before a wider global rollout.

There is no pricing either, but users can expect a hefty sum for the hard at play here. The Steam Deck puts a ~R15 000 hole in your wallet, and the ROG Ally will undoubtedly be in the same region. If ASUS is smart, it will be competitive with its pricing to provide a true competitor for the Steam handheld.

To access the ROG Ally event site, click here.

[Images – Provided]