There has never been a better time to invest in one of the best handheld game consoles: 2024 already has a flurry of exciting new releases inbound, which we’re eagerly anticipating. Today’s contested question of the MSI Claw vs ASUS ROG Ally is an interesting one: both Steam Deck alternatives promise gaming on the go with incredible performance benchmarks. Although we are still some time away from the MSI Claw release date, when we’ll be able to put the new handheld under the microscope properly, we’ve got enough information to warrant a technical comparison between it and the ASUS ROG Ally.
We’ve broken down all the key features and specifications of these two handheld peripherals, to see how they measure up against one another. From price to performance, we’ve analysed as much as we could to see how these two measure up. In order to keep things fair, we’ve compared the top models of both: though there is only currently one model of ROG Ally, there are a few different variants of the Claw due upon release. We’ve chosen to compare the MSI Claw Ultra 7 155H, in order to highlight the best both brands have to offer.
ASUS ROG Ally 7″ 120Hz FHD IPS 1080p Gaming Handheld
Screen Size
7 Inches
Ram Memory Installed Size
16 GB
Resolution
1080p
Graphics Coprocessor
AMD Radeon RDNA 3
MSI Claw vs ASUS ROG Ally: At a Glance
| ASUS ROG Ally | MSI Claw Ultra 7 155H | |
| CPU | AMD Ryzen Z1 Extreme | Intel Core Ultra 7 155H |
| GPU | AMD Radeon Integrated Graphics | INTEL Arc 5 Integrated Graphics Processing |
| RAM | 16GB LPDDR5 | 16GB LPDDR5 |
| OS | Windows 11 64-bit | Windows 11 64-bit |
| Battery | 40WHr | 53WHr |
| Screen Resolution | 7″, 1920x1080p, 120Hz touchscreen | 7″, 1920x1080p, 120Hz touchscreen |
| Storage | 512GB | 1TB |
| Wireless | WiFi 7, Bluetooth | WiFi 7, Bluetooth |
| Dimensions | 28.0cm (W), 2.12cm (D). 11.1cm (H) | 29.2cm (W), 2.12cm (D), 11.7cm (H) |
| Weight | 1.34lbs (608g) | 1.48lbs (675g) |
| RRP | $768 | $799.99 |
In terms of the overall picture, the MSI Claw and the ASUS ROG Ally are quite evenly matched. Both consoles boast similar internal specifications, with identical memory capacities and screen sizes – along with similarly powerful integrated graphics processors. However, the subtle differences between these two handhelds tip the scales in either direction, and could make one console appeal over the other.
Processor & Graphics
Though the ROG Ally employs an AMD Radeon APU and the MSI Claw boasts an Intel mode, both are similarly powerful processors. Both also employ AI-driven upscaling technology – RDNA 3.0 from AMD and XeSS from Intel respectively – to deliver better performance during peak gameplay moments.
RAM
The memory that both consoles run on is also neck-and-neck: both having 16GB of DDR5 RAM. This places them both alongside the Steam Deck for gaming proficiency, allowing modern triple-A titles to run on a lightweight system.
Operating System
We’ve mentioned before how the ROG Ally and Steam Deck are both prone to crashing – one of the drawbacks of running the latest games on such a small device. The ROG Ally and MSI Claw run on Windows 11 as their native OS, and unlike the Steam Deck don’t have access to Valve’s proprietary operating system – though both still run Steam. We’re yet to see for ourselves, but we’re hoping for better software stability for the MSI Claw.
Battery Life
The major selling point of the MSI Claw in marketing material is an upgraded battery lift compared to other handhelds. With a 53WHr battery, the MSI Claw can in theory run for 2 hours under full load before running out of charge – comparatively, the ROG Ally’s battery generally lasts around 90 minutes at best, but charges quickly. Though this is pending a full stress test, this makes the MSI Claw a promising portable peripheral.
Screen Resolution
Another similarity between the two models is the screens: both the MSI Claw and ROG Ally boast a 7″ touchscreen. Though the Steam Deck OLED model beats them both in terms of visual quality, initial hands-on impressions with the MSI Claw highlighted great visual quality and smooth action – perhaps more a result of the aforementioned AI upscaling.
Storage
Though the more affordable MSI Claw options have a reduced storage capacity, the top-rated model boasts a whopping terabyte of storage for games and media. If you want to have as many options as possible on the road, the MSI Claw has the superior storage space.
Design
Design-wise, there are some similarities between the MSI Claw and ROG Ally, as both use an offset joystick layout and have customizable button inputs. Both also boast RGB lights that can be tailored to different moods or games, which is a welcome level of custom configuration in a handheld. There’s also a marginal size difference between the two: the MSI Claw is a handful of millimeters taller and wider, which could be a benefit or a drawback depending on your storage and portability requirements.
Weight
On the subject of portability, there is again a marginal difference. The ROG Ally is the lighter of the two by a few dozen grams, but both are highly lightweight handhelds for easy transportation on the go. We recommend investing in a carry case of some variety for either, however, to avoid damaging the handheld whilst in your bag.
Price
Though the price of the ROG Ally has fluctuated since its release, it generally hovers around the $750 mark. In this regard, the MSI Claw pulls ahead: the cheapest model has a pre-release price of $699.99, whilst the top-tier unit is only $799.99. Compared to some premium handheld alternatives such as the upcoming OneXPlayer X1, this pricing is significantly lower. However, both are more expensive than the Steam Deck or even the PS5.
MSI Claw vs ASUS ROG Ally: Which is Better?
Considering the MSI Claw offers upgraded storage and battery life, you could assume that the MSI Claw is the better value for money from the outset. However, it’s worth mentioning that it is untested at present, as we lack any concrete performance data on it.
In terms of raw technical data, the MSI Claw is the better handheld console – but don’t be too quick to discount the ROG Ally altogether. It has become a favorite among handheld console enthusiasts for its processing power and impressive display.
FAQs
The MSI Claw releases on the 20th of March 2024.
Yes: If the console game in question has had a PC release via Xbox Game Pass or Steam, then you can play it on the ASUS ROG Ally.
In Summary
The challenge of “MSI Claw vs ASUS ROG Ally” is compounded by the fact that the former isn’t released yet: these two consoles are practically neck-and-neck in terms of specifications, but until we can truly put the MSI Claw through its paces, there’s no telling how well it performs compared to other handheld consoles. We hope that it lives up to the promise, but remain big fans of the ROG Ally – a proven performer in top-quality handheld gaming.
Stay tuned with us here at Silent PC Review, as we’ll be bringing you all the latest tech comparisons: from handheld peripherals to fully-fledged consoles like the PS5 Slim.
