With Microsoft’s launch of the Asus ROG Xbox Ally handheld and it doubtlessly coming with an analogous worth level to the shiny, new Nintendo Change 2, a comparability between the 2 is inevitable.
On this article, we’ve taken the time to spherical up which one could possibly be finest for you by evaluating them in key metrics and coming to a valued and knowledgeable judgment.
Pricing and availability
The Nintendo Change 2 was launched on fifth June 2025, and is on the market now for £429.99/$449.99 with the Mario Kart World sport bundle.
We aren’t positive on how a lot the ROG Xbox Ally goes to be simply but, though rumours counsel it might land at $499-$599, making it costlier than Nintendo’s hybrid console. The collaborative handheld must also be out there by Vacation 2025, in accordance with a current Microsoft announcement.
Specs
| Asus ROG Xbox Ally | Nintendo Change 2 | |
| Working System | Home windows 11 House | Nintendo Change system software program |
| Processor | AMD Ryzen™ Z2 A Processor | Customized Nvidia chip – 8x ARM Cortex A78C |
| Reminiscence | 16GB LPDDR5X-6400 | 12GB LPDDR5X |
| Storage | 512GB M.2 2280 SSD for simpler improve | 256GB UFS inner |
| Show | 7” FHD (1080p) IPS, 500 nits, 16:9120Hz refresh rateFreeSync PremiumCorning Gorilla Glass Victus + DXC Anti-Reflection | 7.9-inch FHD (1080p)120Hz refresh rateNvidia G-SyncHDR10 help |
| I/O Ports | 2x USB 3.2 Gen 2 Sort-C with DisplayPort™ 2.1 / Energy Supply 3.0 | 2x USB-C connectors |
| 1x UHS-II microSD card reader (helps SD, SDXC and SDHC) | 1x Micro SD Specific card slot | |
| 1x 3.5mm Combo Audio Jack | 1x 3.5mm audio jack | |
| Dock additionally has two USB 2.0, HDMI & LAN ports | ||
| Community and Communication | Wi-Fi 6E (2 x 2) + Bluetooth 5.4 | Wi-Fi 6 + ‘Bluetooth’ |
| Dimensions | 290.8*121.5*50.7mm | 201*115*51.2mm |
| 670g | 534g | |
| Battery | 60Wh | 5200mAh |
| Included | ROG Xbox Ally 65W charger Stand | Change TV Dock, Pleasure-Con 2 controllers |
The Change 2 has a bigger display
One huge distinction between the 2 consoles is the truth that the Change 2 has a bigger display at 7.9 inches in opposition to the ROG Ally Xbox’s 7-inch display, that’s borrowed from the older Asus ROG Ally mannequin with a 7-inch 1920×1080 mannequin with 120Hz refresh charge
The Change 2’s display, in opposition to the unique mannequin, has been upgraded in each dimension and backbone, too, from a 6.2-inch one with a 1280×720 decision to a 7.9-inch 1920×1080 one with help for as much as 120Hz in sure video games.
The Change 2 is smaller and lighter
For pure portability, the Change 2 could also be a greater guess, as it’s a honest quantity narrower and shorter than the ROG Xbox Ally, in addition to being lighter at 534g in opposition to the ROG Xbox Ally’s 670g.
The Change 2 comes with a dock and intelligent controllers
One other space the place the Change 2 wins over the ROG Xbox Ally is the presence of a dock for supporting output to a TV at as much as 4K decision, and it comes with upgraded Pleasure-Con 2 controllers which have intelligent options reminiscent of its mouse mode.
By comparability, the ROG Xbox Ally is constructed as a simple handheld, however must also be capable of be docked to an exterior monitor – that isn’t included.
The ROG Xbox Ally has extra RAM and storage
One space the place the ROG Xbox Ally wins is with its default 512GB SSD storage being bigger than the Change 2’s default 256GB UFS choice. The Xbox handheld additionally has extra RAM, with 16GB of LPDDR5X-6400 inside in opposition to the Change 2’s 12GB of LPDDR5X reminiscence of an unspecified velocity.
When it comes to enlargement, the ROG Xbox Ally helps each a typical M.2 2280 slot for inner upgrades and has a UHS-II Micro SD reader. The Change 2 helps Micro SD enlargement too, though comes within the type of solely the newer, and quicker, Micro SD Specific format.
The ROG Xbox Ally has seemingly extra superior USB-C ports
One small however vital distinction is with the USB-C ports that the console has. Microsoft specifies that the ROG Xbox Ally has a pair of USB 3.2 Gen 2 Sort-C ports that help each DisplayPort 2.1 and Energy Supply 3.1.
Nintendo doesn’t specify which customary the USB-C ports on Change 2 conform to, however it has been reported that the console received’t output on to a show linked through USB-C, due to utilizing the identical Mobility DisplayPort (MyDP) customary it used with the unique Change.
The Change 2 as an alternative makes use of its included dock to output to a display over HDMI.
Each consoles run totally different working programs, with totally different functions
The important thing distinction between the 2 is their working system, with the ROG Xbox Ally coming with Home windows 11 House and a gaming-first Xbox menu to permit customers to get straight into video games which are performed from the system’s inner storage.
By comparability, the Change 2 runs Nintendo’s Change system software program and works as extra of a conventional video games console with video games both downloaded from its retailer and performed digitally, or utilizing cartridges.
They’ve a unique function, with the Change 2 as a hybrid console you may tackle the go or play hooked as much as a TV in your lounge, whereas the ROG Xbox Ally is there as a Home windows-based gaming handheld for customers to take their gaming PC and Xbox video games on the go, primarily.
Early Verdict
It’s troublesome to name between the Change 2 and ROG Xbox Ally as to which one is healthier, given their inherently totally different functions and what your wants is likely to be.
If you would like a traditional Nintendo expertise of a hybrid console, then there is no such thing as a finer selection than the Change 2. Nevertheless, if you need a gaming-first handheld with modest energy to play PC and Xbox video games, then the ROG Xbox Ally would be the higher guess.
