Should I buy the Steam Deck OLED or ROG Ally X for GTA-style games?

For GTA-style open-world games, the ASUS ROG Ally X is generally the stronger pick, while the Steam Deck OLED is still a great choice if your games and launchers fit its ecosystem.

Why the ROG Ally X has the edge:
Open-world games can be demanding, and the Ally X is the better option if you want more headroom for newer or heavier games, or if you plan to use a docked setup with a monitor. Its extra memory and Windows 11 support also make it easier to run common PC storefronts and launchers without extra work.

When the Steam Deck OLED makes more sense:
If you mostly buy on Steam and want the simplest, most console-like handheld experience, the Steam Deck OLED is excellent. Its OLED display offers very strong contrast and deep blacks, which looks great in dark city scenes and neon-heavy environments. The tradeoff is that non-Steam launchers can sometimes take extra setup on SteamOS.

Bottom line:

• Pick the ROG Ally X if you want the best shot at smoother performance and easier launcher compatibility.
• Pick the Steam Deck OLED if you want the best handheld-first experience and mostly stick to Steam.

For GTA V and similar games bought through Steam, the Steam Deck OLED can work very well; setup for non-Steam launchers can vary and may take some extra steps.