Console vs Handheld Gaming: ASUS ROG Ally vs PS5: How Are They Different? And Which One Should You Get?

The ASUS ROG Ally is currently available at a massive price cut on Amazon. To recall, the ROG Ally was unveiled in India last year with a price tag of Rs 69,999. However, the Windows handheld gaming console can be purchased for Rs 43,940 now.

At its current price, the ROG Ally costs nearly the same as a PlayStation 5 Slim Digital Edition. So is the ROG Ally comparable to a PS5 and should ditch tradition for a handheld? Let's find out!

What does the ROG Ally Offer?

The ASUS ROG Ally runs on Windows 11, which means you can simply sign in to Xbox and subscribe to Game Pass for vast library of games. It also features a 120Hz IPS LCD screen and 500 nits of peak brightness, making it perfect for gaming both indoors and outside.

However, its Ryzen Z1 Extreme SoC has its share of drawbacks. For one, it can barely handle AA A titles, limiting frame rates to 30fps on Low to Medium settings. But given its size, it can simply be picked up and used anywhere and everywhere, although battery limitations, only provides an hour and a half of gameplay without the charger.

The ROG Ally also comes with the XG Mobile port, which will allow you to hook it up to the ASUS ROG Mobile laptop e-GPU for performance equivalent to an enthusiast gaming PC. We managed to test this out on the ROG Ally, where the handheld gaming console was able to run FIFA 2023 in 4K resolution on a 55-inch television.

Can you use the ROG Ally for Productivity?

Yes, the ROG Ally can be hooked up to an external monitor, acting as a desktop. Given it is design to run games, it should handle everyday multitasking with ease. Moreover, since it run on Windows 11, it also has access to all Windows-supported productivity and creative apps. Additionally, Bluetooth support will allow you to add wireless peripherals and accessories without any hassle.

The one downside to the ROG Ally is that it only has a single USB Type-C port, so you will have to get an external docking station with an HDMI port and a USB Type-C port that supports 65W fast charging to use the Ally as a workstation. However, you can easily get one on Amazon for around Rs 1,500 to Rs 2,000.

What does the PlayStation 5 offer?

Unlike the Ally, a PS5 doesn't feature an integrated screen, so you'll have to hook it up to a TV or monitor. It also doesn't run on battery and isn't designed with portability in mind. However, once hooked up to a TV, the PS5 can run most games in 4K resolution, while newer AAA titles will run in 2K to 1080p resolution, balancing visuals and performance.

While you can connect a mouse and keyboard to the PS5 for gaming on supported titles, the console is solely designed for gaming. There's no question of productivity. Users can also subscribe to Sony's PlayStation Plus membership to get access to games, although its content library is far smaller than the Xbox Game Pass Ultimate.

Handheld vs Console Gaming?

Considering the price of the PS5 Digital Edition Slim (Rs 44,990) and ASUS ROG Ally are nearly the same in India, which one should you buy? There is no definitive answer to this question as both devices serve a different purpose. The Sony PS5 is a traditional gaming console that must be hooked up to an external screen, while the ASUS ROG Ally is essentially a handheld gaming PC.

A PS5 is designed for gaming enthusiasts, with performance comparable to a mid-range gaming PC. On the other hand, the ROG Ally's performance is in line with that of an entry-level gaming laptop. For gaming, the PS5 easily wins and cannot be replaced by an Ally unless you opt for an external GPU that costs nearly twice as much as a PS5.

The ROG Ally can replace a desktop tower for productivity, content creation, or photo and video editing. This might be a little inconvenient, considering you do require an external docking station with the right power output (65W). However, with the right docking station, you can also carry your Ally and use it with a TV when you don't have access to your desk setup.

While gaming on-the-go is a key facet of the ROG Ally, its abysmal battery life will require you get an external power bank with a charging output of 65W to get any more than 90 to 120 minutes of gaming on battery alone. To conclude this comparison, the ASUS ROG Ally isn't quite a laptop replacement, but it can function as a NUC or a Mini PC.