Cheaper Switch 2 rivals performance of ROG Xbox Ally X, with DLSS showing advantages over FSR

With the Switch 2 price less than half that of the ROG Xbox Ally X, gamers might expect significantly worse performance. However, a comparison video from ElAnalistaDeBits shows that Nintendo’s handheld meets the challenge. The Windows 11 device offers some frame rate advantages, but image quality often suffers from its FSR upscaling.

Thanks to improved specs, Switch 2 games now include some of the most intensive AAA titles. The YouTuber found that with Hogwarts Legacy, the ROG Xbox Ally X produced higher frame rates. Still, it needed Turbo Mode to achieve higher than the Switch 2’s 30 fps. Even then, the differences in performance were minimal.

The ElAnalistaDeBits video demonstrated similar findings with other games like Star Wars Outlaws. At the same time, the custom DLSS of the Switch 2 often results in superior image quality. In the Ubisoft open-world adventure, the two handhelds upscale from 635p to 1080p. Yet, with FSR active, the ROG Xbox Ally displays softer images, particularly with textures in the distance.

How the ROG Xbox Ally X outshines the Switch 2

Even with this surprising comparison, the pricier Microsoft-endorsed system has some benefits. In the lower-power Performance Mode, the Xbox Ally X battery life was superior when running Cyberpunk 2077 and Silksong. The Asus competitor also loaded games from its internal SSD more quickly than the Nintendo console.

Despite the larger collection of AAA Switch 2 games, the device can’t match the library available on Windows 11 and Steam. Nevertheless, that added selection may come at the cost of user friendliness. Notebookcheck’s review didn’t reveal many issues with the interface of the Xbox Ally X. Still, the Xbox full-screen experience doesn’t yet have the simplicity of a console or SteamOS.

Buyers will have to decide if the freedom that a Windows 11 handheld grants is worth the investment. Without the $999.99 Xbox Ally X boasting a monumental performance leap, the Switch 2 price seems more appealing.