Rogue Ally vs. Steam Deck

Attribute	Rogue Ally	Steam Deck
Manufacturer	Rogue	Valve
Product Type	Mobile Gaming Device	Handheld Gaming PC
Operating System	Android	SteamOS
Price	$399	Starting at $399
Release Date	2021	2022

Design and Build

Rogue Ally and Steam Deck are both portable gaming devices that offer a similar form factor, but there are some key differences in their design and build quality. Rogue Ally features a sleek and modern design with a matte finish, while Steam Deck has a more industrial look with a glossy finish. Rogue Ally is slightly smaller and lighter than Steam Deck, making it easier to carry around in a pocket or bag. However, Steam Deck offers a more robust build quality with its metal chassis, which may appeal to users looking for a more durable device.

Display

When it comes to the display, both Rogue Ally and Steam Deck offer high-quality screens that provide crisp and vibrant visuals. Rogue Ally features a 7-inch OLED display with a resolution of 1280 x 800 pixels, while Steam Deck boasts a slightly larger 7-inch LCD display with a resolution of 1280 x 800 pixels. Both devices offer excellent color accuracy and viewing angles, making them ideal for gaming on the go. However, some users may prefer the OLED display on Rogue Ally for its deeper blacks and higher contrast ratio.

Performance

Performance is where Rogue Ally and Steam Deck really start to differentiate themselves. Rogue Ally is powered by an Intel Core i5 processor and integrated Intel Iris Xe graphics, while Steam Deck is equipped with a custom AMD APU featuring a quad-core Zen 2 CPU and RDNA 2 GPU. Steam Deck offers significantly more processing power and graphics performance compared to Rogue Ally, making it better suited for running demanding games at higher settings. However, Rogue Ally may still be capable of handling less demanding titles with ease.

Storage

Storage capacity is another important factor to consider when comparing Rogue Ally and Steam Deck. Rogue Ally comes with 256GB of SSD storage, which should be sufficient for storing a moderate collection of games and media files. In contrast, Steam Deck offers multiple storage options ranging from 64GB eMMC to 512GB NVMe SSD, giving users more flexibility to choose the right amount of storage for their needs. Additionally, both devices support expandable storage via microSD cards, allowing users to easily increase their storage capacity.

Operating System

One of the biggest differences between Rogue Ally and Steam Deck is the operating system they run on. Rogue Ally comes pre-installed with Windows 10, giving users access to a wide range of PC games and applications. On the other hand, Steam Deck runs on SteamOS, a custom Linux-based operating system developed by Valve specifically for gaming. While SteamOS offers seamless integration with the Steam platform and a user-friendly interface, some users may prefer the versatility and compatibility of Windows 10 on Rogue Ally.

Battery Life

Battery life is a crucial consideration for portable gaming devices, and both Rogue Ally and Steam Deck offer respectable battery performance. Rogue Ally is equipped with a 45Wh battery that can provide up to 8 hours of gaming on a single charge, while Steam Deck features a slightly larger 40Wh battery that can deliver up to 7-8 hours of gameplay. While Rogue Ally has a slight edge in battery life, both devices offer enough juice to keep you gaming on the go without constantly needing to recharge.

Price

Price is often a deciding factor when choosing between two similar devices, and Rogue Ally and Steam Deck are no exception. Rogue Ally is priced at $699, making it a more affordable option for budget-conscious gamers. On the other hand, Steam Deck starts at $399 for the base model with 64GB of storage, but the price can go up to $649 for the top-tier model with 512GB of storage. While Steam Deck offers more storage options at varying price points, Rogue Ally may be a better choice for users looking to save some money.