PlayStation 4 had some powerful hardware for its time, but is it valid to compare Asus ROG Ally VS PS4 in 2023? Let’s find out.
PlayStation 4 has been around for over a decade, and the console also gained popularity for hosting an extensive library of popular game titles. Over the past 9 to 10 years, people have found PC replacements for PlayStation 4 with some increasingly popular PS4 emulators to enjoy the PlayStation exclusive titles on PC.
But can this 10-year-old console compete with one of the best handheld gaming consoles of 2023, Asus ROG Ally? Let’s find out.
PS4 VS Asus ROG Ally
Performance
Performance is the core factor that decides how smoothly your games will run on your gaming console. Starting with the PlayStation 4, it has a CPU Semi-custom 8-core AMD x86-64 Jaguar 1.6 GHz CPU (2.13 GHz on PS4 Pro) integrated as an APU. The integrated APU can deliver 1080p with 30 FPS locked for PS4, and the PS4 PRO is a bit better with 4K image quality and 60 FPS of output.
On the other hand, the AMD Ryzen™ Z1 Series processor has 8-core 3.3GHz processor with 1500 MHz of GPU clock in ROG Ally, giving you decent frame rates with 60 Hertz Display at 1080p display screen. With AMD FSR on Asus ROG Ally set to Quality settings, you can achieve up to 45 to 55 FPS on various CPU-intensive games. And if you Dock Asus ROG Ally, you can get 4K display output, too.
Hence, the specs sheet and benchmarks show that Asus ROG Ally is definitely better than the PlayStation 4 Slim but slightly under or nearly equivalent to the power of a PS4 PRO.
Game Library
Asus ROG Ally is a Windows-based handheld gaming console, and it pretty much covers all the gaming platforms. You can run all the game launchers on it, too. ROG Ally includes Xbox Game Pass Ultimate subscription free of cost for the first 3 months.
And you can even play offline games via Xbox Game Pass on Asus ROG Ally. Hence, the feasibility of having a Windows-based gaming system is that you can run any game, whether it’s a decade-old classic or the latest AAA game titles for ROG Ally.
On the other hand, PlayStation has a reputation for owning platform-exclusive titles like Forspoken. Still, Asus would beat it without a chance since the console has various games. You can install any launcher and Remote Play PlayStation on Asus ROG Ally to get the best of both worlds.
So, regarding the range of games you can play, Asus ROG Ally is definitely a winner, even with PlayStation 4’s backward compatibility.
Controller Setup
The DualShock 4 was the last of PlayStation’s controller evolution until the PlayStation 5’s DualSense was released. This new controller introduced a touchpad with the ability to click, which is something that you find on a Steam Deck console but not on the ROG Ally.
The new trackpad unlocked interactivity in gaming, and the new ergonomic design was much lighter to hold. In addition, the DualShock 4 came with the cool RGB LED light effect that defined the state of the controller and synced with many game activities.
On the other hand, Asus ROG Ally’s controller setup looks the same as an Xbox controller since ROG Ally is a Windows-based gaming console. Hence, the gameplay experience with the controller setup of PlayStation 4 is nearly the same as Asus ROG Ally.
In simple words, the controller setup is pretty decent on both PS4 VS Asus ROG Ally. In the end, it depends on your preference. You can even connect the PS4 controller with Asus ROG Ally, a plus for the handheld gaming console.
Upgrades and Attachments
The PlayStation 4 came with some very basic attachments and upgrades. Certainly, there is no way to upgrade RAM or Processor on either PS4 or Asus ROG Ally. Still, you could always get more storage space on both PS4 and Asus ROG Ally.
To get more storage on PS4 and PS4 Pro, you can attach a USB External Hard Drive with a minimum of 250 GB and a maximum of 8 TB of storage capacity. Unfortunately, Sony does not let you transfer the saved files, screenshots, or video clips to the extended storage, and it is only for games.
On the other hand, change the joystick color on Asus ROG Ally, and that’s pretty much it. As for expandable storage, you can always use an SD card for Asus ROG Ally to get some extra storage space for storing anything, even the operating system. Other common attachments like headset, dock, and the ability to attach multiple controllers come with PS4 and Asus ROG Ally.
One additional advantage that you get in terms of upgrades with Asus ROG Ally is the GPU memory. Fortunately, if you feel like you lack the GPU memory, you can attach an external GPU with Asus ROG Ally to expand your capabilities. But it won’t feel like a portable device anymore in that case.
Hence, in terms of attachments and upgrades, the Asus ROG Ally is much better than the PlayStation 4 and PlayStation 4 PRO.
Convenience of Gameplay
Regarding the convenience of gaming between PS4 VS Asus ROG Ally, the choice merely depends on your routine and gaming preferences.
Asus ROG Ally gives you the convenience of carrying it anywhere, anytime. However, if you are concerned about battery charging and focus more on getting the best performance, going for the PlayStation 4 is always preferable. However, if you are always on the go, then Asus ROG Ally is the best choice.
Final Words
For a handheld gaming console in 2023, PS5 VS Asus ROG Ally seems more like a valid comparison. While comparing the PS4 VS Asus ROG Ally, you must consider ROG Ally a Windows-based mid-range gaming console. The convenience of portability is a huge plus in a gaming console. And by far, Asus ROG Ally is one of the most powerful handheld gaming consoles without a question. So, if you want high-end gaming anywhere, anytime, Asus ROG Ally should be your first choice.
