When it comes to handheld gaming devices, the Asus ROG Ally truly stands out with impressive performance that outpaces the Steam Deck and a host of other competitors. The 2024 version, the ROG Ally X, takes things up a notch with even better capabilities, an upgraded display, and more comfortable design tweaks. One of its standout features across the whole ROG Ally lineup is the UHS-II microSD card slot. This upgrade means faster read and write speeds compared to the UHS-I standard, which you’ll find in the Steam Deck, Nintendo Switch, and many similar devices. So, with the right card, you can expect significantly improved download times.
Lexar states that UHS-II technology offers triple the transfer speed of its predecessor, UHS-I, with potential speeds soaring to 312 MB/s, compared to the 104 MB/s limit of UHS-I. However, despite the abundance of microSD cards on the market, UHS-II variants are surprisingly scarce. Big names like Samsung and SanDisk haven’t yet stepped into the UHS-II microSD space. The limited options available tend to come with a higher price tag than standard microSD cards. Even more intriguingly, the few cards that are on offer don’t fully exploit the maximum speeds UHS-II can deliver.
For those who don’t mind diving into the internals of their ROG Ally (don’t worry, your warranty stays intact!), investing in an M.2 SSD could be a smarter choice. This approach offers better value in terms of storage and delivers faster performance compared to microSD cards. However, if you prefer keeping things simple and are willing to spend a bit more for that extra burst of speed, there are a couple of readily available microSD models worth considering.
On the other hand, if your main goal is simply expanding your storage capacity without worrying about cutting-edge speeds, you’re in luck. Brands like SanDisk, Samsung, and Lexar offer a variety of microSD options, with capacities reaching up to 1.5 TB—perfect for boosting your handheld’s storage space without any hassle.
