When it comes to handheld gaming, the Asus ROG Ally stands head and shoulders above others like the Steam Deck. Released in 2024, the more advanced ROG Ally X elevates gaming to a new level with its boosted performance, a sleeker screen, and refined ergonomics. A standout feature of the entire ROG Ally range is its UHS-II microSD card slot. This advancement promises faster read and write speeds compared to the UHS-I standard used by the Steam Deck, Nintendo Switch, and many other devices. So, with the right card, your download speeds should see a noticeable improvement.
Now, Lexar claims that UHS-II offers speeds up to three times faster than UHS-I, reaching 312 MB/s instead of just 104 MB/s. However, despite the growing availability of microSD cards, UHS-II versions are scarce. Big names like Samsung and SanDisk haven’t jumped into producing UHS-II microSD cards yet, and the few that are available come at a hefty price tag. It’s a bit concerning that even these pricier options don’t fully utilize the UHS-II interface’s maximum speed.
For those willing to dive inside their ROG Ally, it’s worth considering an M.2 SSD. This doesn’t void the warranty and gives you more bang for your buck in terms of storage and speed over microSD. But if you’re looking for convenience and don’t mind paying extra for a slight speed boost, we’ve highlighted a couple of models below that are easily accessible.
On the other hand, if you’re just after a high-capacity microSD card and speed isn’t your primary concern, the market offers plenty of choices. Brands like SanDisk, Samsung, and Lexar can provide up to a whopping 1.5 TB of additional storage for your gaming handheld. So, there’s something for every gamer, depending on your priorities and budget.
