Top microSD Cards for the Asus ROG Ally

When it comes to handheld gaming, the Asus ROG Ally truly stands out, outshining the Steam Deck and many of its competitors. But what really sets the ROG Ally series apart is the ROG Ally X, a version launched in 2024. This model takes performance to another level with advancements in screen quality and overall design. One of the family’s most notable features is its UHS-II microSD card slot. This capability means you can benefit from significantly faster read and write speeds compared to the UHS-I standard that’s common in devices like the Steam Deck, the Nintendo Switch, and others. So, if you’re equipped with the right card, expect quicker download speeds.

Lexar claims that UHS-II can boost maximum transfer speeds threefold compared to UHS-I, reaching up to 312 MB/s instead of just 104 MB/s. Despite this progress, options for UHS-II microSD cards are limited. Major storage brands like Samsung and SanDisk haven’t ventured into producing these yet, so the few available options tend to cost more than typical microSD cards. Additionally, the current UHS-II cards don’t fully utilize the speed potential that the interface can support.

If you’re tech-savvy and don’t mind tinkering with your ROG Ally (no worries, it won’t void the warranty), you might want to swap in an M.2 SSD. This approach provides better storage value and faster performance than microSD cards. However, if simplicity is your priority and you’re willing to pay a bit extra for a slight speed boost, we’ve identified a few available models that could work for you.

On the other hand, if you’re just after a larger capacity microSD card and cutting-edge speed isn’t your top concern, there are numerous choices from brands like SanDisk, Samsung, and Lexar. These options offer significant storage boosts, going up to 1.5 TB to expand your handheld’s capacity.