When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Heres how it works.
The tradeoff for these features is a higher price point.
We’ll be testing this rig and updating this page in the near future.
MSI Claw vs ROG Ally specs.
However, it’s more susceptible to joystick drift.
When Asus released theROG Allylast year, it made a huge splash as a competitor to theSteam Deck.
Since then, multiple companies have released their owngaming handheldsand the latest to join the ranks is theMSI Claw.
So which of these devices is best?
Let’s dive in and compare what they have to offer.
As for MSI Claw, there will be three configurations to choose from.
MSI Claw vs ROG Ally specs.
That’s quite a bit more expensive than what the ROG Ally configurations are selling for.
While using it, I was struck by how smooth gameplay was.
There was no choppiness, and everything reacted the way I expected it to.
ROG Ally has two versions. One sells for $599 while the other sells for $699.
As for storage, the MSI Claw can be purchased with either a 512GB SSD or a 1TB SSD.
Of course, additional storage can easily be supplied using the microSD card slot.
Now, someearly MSI Claw benchmarksdid show that the MSI Claw underperformed compared to the ROG Ally.
The biggest difference with the MSI Claw is the Intel chip inside.
However, you shouldn’t count the Claw out yet.
Since then, I’ve continued to use my ROG Ally regularly to play various games.
When it comes to storage, the ROG Ally only comes with a 512GB SSD.
I got to play Assassin’s Creed Mirage on the MSI Claw at CES 2024.
Now, Asus' handheld does have a big problem that you should be aware of.
Due to an overheating issue, theROG Ally can cause microSD cards to malfunction.
TL:DR PERFORMANCE AND STORAGE WINNER:It’s too early to say before testing.
Both have 7-inch FHD IPS touchscreens that can reach up to a 120Hz refresh rate.
This is likely all the same for the MSI Claw.
TL:DR DISPLAY WINNER:We have a tie, folks.
The ROG Ally can get very hot near the microSD card slot which can cause these external storage cards to malfunction.
Before testing, it looks as though the MSI Claw and ROG Ally’s screens are basically the same.
When I held it, it felt very well-balanced and all of the buttons responded beautifully to my presses.
All in all, it looks good and feels good too.
MSI Claw has a 120Hz display and supports Intel XeSS as well as VRR.
As for the ROG Ally, it too is well-balanced with grips that help relieve wrist and hand pressure.
The buttons are also very large and easy to use.
However, while the triggers use Hall Effect, the joysticks are potentiometers, which are susceptible to drift.
The MSI Claw features a 7-inch IPS display that can reach up to a 120Hz refresh rate.
So, it seems like the MSI Claw is a better option when it comes to longevity.
So, you’re able to expect that the company will continue to do so going forward.
So it’s possible ROG Ally has better customization.
MSI Claw has ergonomic grips, Hall Effect joysticks, and comfortable button positioning.
We’ll know more when we do testing.
The longest I’ve ever gotten it to last was around four hours.
It’s not great, especially not for people who like to play long gaming sessions.
ROG Ally is designed with ergonomic grips and large buttons.
TL:DR BATTERY LIFE WINNER:It’s currently too early to tell.
We’ll update this section after testing.
But then over time, more third-party accessories became available for the gaming handheld.
the MSI Center M Quick Settings make it easy to make adjustments mid-game.(Image credit: MSI)
If interested, check out our lists for thebest ROG Ally accessoriesor thebest ROG Ally power banks.
Of course, we also know of several of thebest microSD cards for MSI Clawas well.
For now, you could look at our list of thebest MSI Claw accessories.
The MSI Center M’s Quick Settings Editor allows you to determine what shows up in the Quick Settings menu.(Image credit: MSI)
You’ll just need to double-check wattage and accessory dimensions before purchasing anything, just to check that.
However, MSI does offer a few official MSI Claw accessories.
MSI Claw vs ROG Ally: Which should I buy?
You can adjust the MSI Claw’s RGB lighting via MSI Center M.(Image credit: MSI)
Now we come down to the meat of it all which gaming handheld is better?
Overall, the ROG Ally is looking like the best option between the two.
However, it does have a notable microSD card malfunction issue that could cause a major problem for you.
The MSI Center M interface also lets you record macros.(Image credit: MSI)
The tradeoff for these features is a higher price point.
We’ll be testing this gadget and updating this page in the near future.
ROG Ally’s Armoury Crate also allows you to adjust which settings options appear in the Quick Settings menu.
MSI Claw has a 54Whr battery.
Charging the ROG Ally.
WD_BLACK SN770M is an amazing accessory for ROG Ally that increases internal storage.
MSI offers an official MSI Claw Docking Station for connecting the handheld to a TV or monitor.
The MSI Claw is looking really tempting.
