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NJHL Review For You: Steam Deck OLED vs Asus ROG Ally X - Which Handheld Gaming Beast Fits Singapore Gamers?

  • NJHL
  • Jul 9, 2025
  • 4 min read

Updated: Jul 14, 2025



ROG Ally X (2024). Credit: Asus
ROG Ally X (2024). Credit: Asus
Steam Deck OLED (2023). Credit: Steamdeck
Steam Deck OLED (2023). Credit: Steamdeck

Portable PC gaming has exploded in 2025, and for Singaporeans juggling tight apartments, long MRT rides, and after-hours gaming, the idea of AAA titles on a handheld is super tempting.


Two leaders stand out this year: the Steam Deck OLED and the brand-new Asus ROG Ally X. Here’s a deep dive based on official specs, reliable benchmarks, and how these specs might fit our local needs.



Design & Display: OLED Brilliance vs Fast FHD


Feature

Steam Deck OLED

ROG Ally X

Display

7.4″ HDR OLED, 1280×800, 90 Hz, ~1000 nits peak

7″ FHD IPS, 1920×1080, 120 Hz VRR, ~500+ nits

Weight

~640 g

~715 g

  • The Steam Deck OLED stands out for incredible blacks and HDR pop, making games like Cyberpunk 2077 or Hades 2 look stunning indoors or late-night.

  • The ROG Ally X’s higher-res 1080p panel and 120 Hz variable refresh rate shines for competitive games or if you want sharper UI text — helpful for Windows multitasking.


NJHL POV: If you game a lot at home or in low light, the OLED is unbeatable. For gaming in bright cafés or pool decks, the Ally X’s anti-glare improvements matter.


Gaming under bright sunlight with the Steam Deck OLED.
Gaming under bright sunlight with the Steam Deck OLED.


Performance & Hardware: ROG Ally X is a Spec Monster


Feature

Steam Deck OLED

ROG Ally X

CPU

AMD Zen 2 4-core, up to 3.5 GHz

AMD Ryzen Z1 Extreme (Zen 4, 8c/16t up to 5.10 GHz)

GPU

RDNA 2, 8 CUs (~1.6 TFLOPS)

RDNA 3, 12 CUs (~8.6 TFLOPS)

RAM

16 GB LPDDR5-6400

24 GB LPDDR5X-7500

Storage

512 GB / 1 TB NVMe, microSD

1 TB PCIe Gen4 NVMe, microSD UHS‑II

Battery

50 Wh (~3–12 hrs range)

80 Wh (~2–3 hrs under heavy gaming)

Wireless

Wi‑Fi 6E, Bluetooth 5.3

Wi‑Fi 6E, Bluetooth 5.2–5.4

  • The Ally X absolutely dominates on paper, with a CPU that’s roughly double the cores and far newer (Zen 4 vs Zen 2), plus a GPU that benchmarks up to 5× higher.

  • More RAM (24 GB vs 16 GB) means smoother heavy multitasking (mods, big texture packs, Chrome tabs, even light Blender work).



Benchmark tested for reference only. Actual FPS may vary in real-world conditions.
Benchmark tested for reference only. Actual FPS may vary in real-world conditions.


Battery & Heat: Both Handle SG Warmth Differently


  • ROG Ally X’s 80 Wh battery is nearly double the Deck OLED’s 50 Wh.

  • Still, real-world reviews suggest around 2.5–3 hours on demanding titles vs the Deck OLED’s ~1.5–2 hours under similar load, thanks partly to Valve’s software tuning.

  • Ally X’s dual-fan “Zero Gravity” cooling handles hot games well, even in non-aircon rooms — a plus under Singapore’s humidity.


NJHL POV: Either way, budget for a 65W GaN portable charger. Brands like Ugreen or Anker keep these handhelds juiced even if you’re hopping from Changi to Jurong.



OS & Ecosystem: Simple vs Versatile


Steam Deck OLED

  • Runs SteamOS (Linux) and boots directly into Steam Big Picture. Less Windows hassle.

  • Proton compatibility layer means most Windows games still run, but not every launcher is smooth (some Epic or EA titles need tweaks).


ROG Ally X

  • A full Windows 11 handheld, so you can install Steam, Epic, Xbox PC Game Pass, and even Netflix offline or Microsoft Office.

  • Slightly more maintenance (Windows updates, drivers), but hugely flexible.


NJHL POV: For many in Singapore who balance gaming, streaming and a bit of work, the Ally X is like a tiny laptop.



Docking: From Living Room TV to Multi-Monitor Setups

Device

Dock Options

Typical Cost (SG)

Best Use

Steam Deck OLED

Valve official dock (HDMI + DP + GigE), or JSAUX/Anker USB-C hubs

S$50–160

Seamless fit for couch gaming, local TV output

ROG Ally X

Asus Gaming Charger Dock, universal USB4 hubs (DP1.4 + PD)

S$40–100

Windows desktop replacement with keyboard/mouse

  • The Deck’s official dock is custom-fit (HDMI, DP, Ethernet) — great for throwing visuals on your living room OLED TV.

  • The Ally X works with nearly any laptop dock — just ensure it’s DP 1.4 or HDMI 2.0+ for 1080p120 output


NJHL POV: Sim Lim shops and Shopee are full of compatible hubs for both - this means you can go handheld on MRT, then dock at home for big-screen mayhem.


Steam Deck Docking Station sold separately. Credit: Steamdeck
Steam Deck Docking Station sold separately. Credit: Steamdeck
Docking Station allows the connection of multiple compatible devices with ease. Credit: Steamdeck
Docking Station allows the connection of multiple compatible devices with ease. Credit: Steamdeck
Asus Gaming Charger Dock for one HDMI output to fulfil big-screen gaming. Credit: Asus
Asus Gaming Charger Dock for one HDMI output to fulfil big-screen gaming. Credit: Asus


Local Pricing Snapshot (July 2025)


Model

Typical SG Price

Note

Steam Deck OLED (1TB)

~S$950–1,050

Parallel imports, usually with US plug

ROG Ally X (1TB)

~S$1,200–1,300

Often with local Asus warranty



NJHL Take: Which Should You Buy in Singapore?


Choose Steam Deck OLED if you want

  • A simple, streamlined, Steam-first machine with jaw-dropping OLED visuals.

  • Less fuss, more gaming, especially for indie and AAA on Proton.


Choose ROG Ally X if you want

  • A Windows powerhouse to run everything — from Game Pass to Photoshop to side-loading anime.

  • The best specs available in handheld gaming today, with headroom for future titles.



Bottom Line


  • The Deck OLED is your best bet if you’re after plug-and-play Steam gaming with amazing color and contrast.

  • The Ally X is for enthusiasts who want a Windows Swiss Army knife — faster CPU, bigger RAM, bigger battery, more platforms. Pricier.


Either way, both make Singapore MRT or kopi-time fly by.


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