When you stack the Asus ROG Ally against the Steam Deck and other handheld competitors, it clearly stands out for its superior performance. The 2024 upgrade, known as the ROG Ally X, takes things even further with enhanced capabilities, a sleeker screen, and improved comfort for gamers. To add to its appeal, the entire ROG Ally lineup includes a UHS-II microSD card slot. This means you can expect quicker read and write speeds compared to the UHS-I standard found in devices like the Steam Deck and Nintendo Switch. With the right card, your download times could see a significant boost.
Lexar claims that UHS-II offers a leap in speed, tripling the transfer rate of UHS-I by reaching up to 312 MB/s instead of the previous 104 MB/s. Yet, despite the abundance of microSD cards on the market, there’s a shortage of UHS-II microSD options. Big names like Samsung and SanDisk are yet to produce UHS-II cards. The few UHS-II cards available command a higher price, and frustratingly, don’t quite hit the maximum speeds promised by the UHS-II standard.
For those who don’t mind a bit of DIY, opening up your ROG Ally to install an M.2 SSD could be the smarter choice. It’s a more cost-effective storage upgrade and generally offers faster performance than a microSD. However, if you prefer an effortless solution and can justify the premium price for a speed boost, we’ve highlighted a couple of accessible models for you to consider.
If your priority is simply adding a lot of extra space and you’re not too fussed about having the latest in speed tech, you’re in luck. Reliable brands like SanDisk, Samsung, and Lexar offer various high-capacity microSD cards, some reaching up to 1.5 TB, to expand your handheld gaming experience.
