The ASUS ROG Ally Z1 Extreme has become a favourite of the gaming population as one of the best portable gaming stations on the market today. It has made big promises about performance, picture quality and flexibility, and now gamers in the UK wonder whether it delivers on all of them. In this ASUS ROG Ally Z1 Extreme review, we’ll break down its features, performance, and battery life to help you decide if it’s the best handheld console for you.

A Portable Powerhouse: Key Features at a Glance

Before going into the details, let’s look at what makes the ASUS ROG Ally Z1 Extreme stand out:

  • Display: A 7-inch Full High-Definition display with a 120 Hz refresh rate and up to 500 nits of brightness.
  • Processor and RAM: AMD Ryzen Z1 Extreme CPU and integrated 24 GB LPDDR5X RAM.
  • Storage: 1TB SSD for storing all your games, it is a huge space even for ardent gamers.
  • Connectivity: Features 1x USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-C, 1x Thunderbolt 4, and a UHS-II microSD card reader.
  • Expandable Graphics: XG Mobile external GPUs support.
  • Colour: Sleek black finish.
  • Warranty: Comes with a 1-year warranty.

Now, let’s start our ASUS ROG Ally Z1 Extreme review.

Design and Build Quality

The ASUS ROG Ally RC71L comes with an extremely elegant and minimalistic design accompanied by a solid and premium black look and feel. It has a solid feel like you have a good weapon in your hands, yet it’s not too heavy to cause hand fatigue during hours of gaming. It is easy to reach out for the buttons and joysticks and has good ergonomic value.

Highlights:

  • Compact yet robust design.
  • High build quality that is not at the expense of portability.

Display: A Visual Treat

One of the main features of the ROG Ally Z1 Extreme is its display. Combined with a Full HD resolution of 1920 x 1200 on a 7-inch screen, and 120Hz refresh rate for smooth gameplay. Regardless of the ambient lighting in your immediate surrounding, the 500 nits of peak brightness of the ROG Ally Z1 Extreme display proves that gaming wouldn’t be a problem (especially in fast-action shooters or visually rich RPGs).

Highlights:

  • Full high-definition resolution for videos to ensure clear visuals.
  • 120Hz of refresh rate for perfect gaming experience.
  • Brightness levels for both indoor and outdoor use.

Performance: A Beast in Your Hands

Nestled in this ASUS ROG Ally handheld gaming console is the AMD Ryzen Z1 Extreme processor with the support of 24GB LPDDR5X RAM. Together, they yield stunning results; the M800 runs through AAA titles and more with ease. It is responsive with 1TB SSD to boost the load time and has excellent multitasking capabilities.

Highlights:

  • Copes well with challenging games without showing any signs of physical wear.
  • 24GB RAM is present which allows for experiencing problem-free multitasking.
  • The 1TB SSD is enough to store games and multimedia files that will help transcend time.

Battery Life: Can It Keep Up?

This brings us to the final issue, one of the most apparent ones for portable gaming consoles: battery life. The ROG Ally Z1 Extreme battery life lasts depending on the usage of the device. But still, performance mode offers 3-4 hours of gaming while that battery life decreases with graphical intensive games. But when on a power-saving display, it can last up to 6 hours, which is reasonable should you wish to engage in gaming on the move.

Highlights:

  • Performance mode lasts 3-4 hours.
  • Up to 6 hours in power save mode.
  • Connectivity and Expandability

The main perk of the ASUS ROG Ally RC71L is connectivity options. You have multiple choices when it comes to peripherals and additional storage with USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-C, Thunderbolt 4, and a UHS-II microSD card reader provisions. Also, the support of XG Mobile in external GPUs allows you to enhance the performance of its graphics when connected at home.

Highlights:

  • Multiple ports versatility.
  • External GPU support for increased graphics performance.
  • Gaming Experience

Playing on the ASUS ROG Ally Z1 Extreme is a great experience. Its controls are very sensitive and the screen practically glows, so you can enjoy your favourite games wherever you are. In indie games and even when you are challenging it with the best triple-A games, it delivers buttery smooth and bewildering graphics.

Pros and Cons

Let’s now look at the pros and cons of this amazing console.

Pros:

  • Compact and portable design.
  • Full High Definition 120 Hz screen.
  • High-performance AMD Ryzen Z1 chipset.
  • Ample storage with a 1TB SSD.
  • Options of connexion licences.
  • XG Mobile External Graphics Support.

Cons:

  • Battery life could have been better.
  • Expensive, not for the budget-conscious segment of customers.

How Does it Compare to Other Handheld Consoles?

As there are many alternatives available in the market and many new ones continue to pour in, how does the ASUS ROG Ally fare against them? It triumphs in terms of performance and clear display. As far as handheld consoles go, it is one of the best options for you depending on your preferences and values. In short, the Z1 Extreme is one of the most powerful handheld gaming consoles in the market today.

Who Is It For?

The ASUS ROG Ally Z1 Extreme is perfect for:

  • Gamers who want a portable gaming console with a large power output potential.
  • Those who value connectivity because of the display quality and smooth gameplay.
  • Gamers who want a hybrid device with portability, versatility, and multiple connectivity options.

Final Thoughts: Does It Live Up to the Hype?

In conclusion, our Z1 Extreme review confirms that it’s a powerhouse in the world of portable gaming. It has a beautiful screen, highly efficient processor, and many useful options that makes it one of the best gaming laptops available for customers in the United Kingdom. However, power backup might be an issue, due to the battery and it many people might find it expensive to afford.

If you’re into portable gaming and want a console with a reduced impact on performance, then the ASUS ROG Ally Z1 Extreme can help. Whether you are a casual game lover or a professional gamer, this handheld gaming console promises everyone a great time.

So, what do you think? Is the ASUS ROG Ally Z1 Extreme the handheld console that you’ve been waiting for?