The ROG Xbox Ally X is now available, and if you’re wondering how it compares with the Nintendo Switch 2 in terms of graphics, performance, and battery life, read ahead.
In terms of image quality, the ROG Xbox Ally X uses AMD FSR to upscale to its native resolution while Nintendo Switch 2 titles can take advantage of NVIDIA DLSS, giving the latter a distinct edge. Examples of this can be seen in the video below, where games like Hogwarts Legacy, Cyberpunk 2077, Star Wars Outlaws, and Hitman World of Assassination resolve more detail on the Nintendo Switch 2 when upscaling from the same resolution on the ROG Xbox Ally X. However, the Xbox handheld is able to run the aforementioned titles at higher graphical settings.
In terms of performance, it’s a clear win for the Ally X in most of the aforementioned games, as it is able to deliver notably higher frame rates than the Nintendo Switch 2. The only exception here is Star Wars Outlaws, which tends to run a bit better on Nintendo’s console, owing to its optimized port running at graphical settings not available in the PC version.
Load times are generally faster on the ROG Xbox Ally X in the aforementioned titles, though the difference is usually 4 to 5 seconds. The one exception is Cyberpunk 2077, which loads around 17 slower on the Nintendo Switch 2. Download times are also much faster on the Xbox handheld.
With regards to power on time, the Nintendo Switch 2 takes the lead, booting up around 6 seconds quicker than the Ally X. Furthermore, restart time is over 35 seconds faster on Nintendo’s console.
As far as the battery is concerned, it lasts for around 3.5 hours when running a low-demand game on the Nintendo Switch 2, 4.38 hours when running a low-demand game on the Ally X in its 25W mode, and 5.02 hours when running a low-demand game on the Ally X in its 17W mode. In a a high-demand game, the Nintendo Switch 2 battery lasts for around 2.07 hours, the Ally X battery lasts for around 1.59 hours in its 25W mode, and the Ally X battery lasts for around 1.59 hours in its 25W mode and 3.03 hours in its 17W mode.
All in all, the ROG Xbox Ally X is undoubtedly the more powerful handheld, but it’s also over twice the price of the Nintendo Switch 2. The latter pushes above its weight with the help of DLSS to deliver crisper image quality. However, frame rates, load times, and battery life are all notably better on the Xbox handheld.
