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ASUS announced on April 17, 2024 that it would extend the SD card reader warranty for the US version of the 2023 ROG Ally (RC71L) from 12 to 24 months. The extension applies to the reader, not the entire handheld warranty. ASUS also described reimbursement for SD cards damaged by the reader through its RMA process.
What ASUS extended—and which ROG Ally it covers
ASUS’s April 17, 2024 US announcement names the ROG Ally (2023) RC71L and says the SD card reader warranty is extended from 12 to 24 months. The announcement labels the offer as US-only. It does not say that every component of the Ally receives a two-year warranty.
ASUS did not publish an affected-unit count or rate; it described the affected population only as “a small number.” The announcement also does not provide a country-by-country policy list, so owners outside the US should not assume the same extension applies to them.
What to do if the SD card reader fails
- Contact ASUS support for an assessment. In the US, ASUS lists 1-888-678-3688 and its support page for details. Ask about RMA eligibility for your specific RC71L, taking account of your region, purchase history and any earlier service.
- Include the damaged SD card if you seek reimbursement. ASUS says it will consider reimbursement for cards damaged by the reader when the card is sent in with the Ally for RMA. Provide proof of purchase; if you do not have it, ASUS says it will determine fair market value.
- Raise any earlier unreimbursed service case. ASUS says owners who previously sent an Ally in for warranty service without receiving SD card reimbursement can contact the company to discuss it.
- Outside the US, contact local customer service. ASUS directs owners in other countries who are experiencing reader issues to local customer service to request an RMA. That direction is not confirmation of the US extension or reimbursement terms in another territory.
Reader malfunction and physical port damage are treated differently
ASUS’s warranty support criteria say warranty service covers technical hardware issues during the warranty period under normal use. The same FAQ lists I/O port damage, including SD card reader damage, among examples of customer-induced damage that may not be covered; authorized service centers may offer paid repairs for such damage. A reader that malfunctions is not automatically the same case as a visibly damaged port, and ASUS must assess the individual unit.
#1 Best Overall
- Compatible with portable gaming devices, smartphones, tablets, and Nintendo-Switch 1 (NOT compatible with Nintendo-Switch 2)
- Fast transfer speeds for quick loading time with up to 205MB/s read
- Improved write speeds of up to 140MB/s for quicker downloads
- Store more videos, movies, games, music, and your favorite content with large capacity up to 1TB
- Quickly capture, play back and transfer Full-HD and 4K video
Why the reader issue drew attention
In a July 2023 ROG forum post, an ASUS administrator said, “After confirmation from internal testing, under certain thermal stress conditions the SD card reader may malfunction.” The post said ASUS planned to fine-tune default and minimum fan speeds and advised affected users to contact regional customer service for RMA inspection and repair. This historical explanation does not establish that fan tuning or a hardware revision permanently resolved every reader issue.
A limited refund alternative
ASUS also described a full refund instead of RMA, but only for an ROG Ally (2023) RC71L purchased directly from ASUS and only within 90 days of purchase. The announcement does not extend this option to retailer purchases or establish it as available beyond that stated window.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- Blazing Fast Data Transfers: Powered by UHS-I tech, the Lexar Blue microSD card achieves read speeds topping 160MB/s. Effortlessly transfer Full-HD and 4K UHD media files, streamlining your digital life. Note, speeds based on internal testing, actual performance may vary. Peak read speeds require pairing with select Lexar 2-in-1 USB 3.1 card reader. Actual usable memory capacity may vary. 1GB equals 1 billion bytes
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Rank #4
- Compatible with Nintendo-Switch 1 (NOT compatible with Nintendo-Switch 2), smartphones, and tablets
- Boost your gaming experience with up to 160MB/s read for fast load times
- A2-rated app performance lets you quickly access and enjoy games and apps without lag for an enhanced gaming experience and a competitive edge
- Store more of your favorite games and other content with capacities up to 2TB
- Built to endure with temperature resistance, waterproofing, x-ray protection, and more
Rank #3
- UHS Speed Class 3 (U3) A2 and Video Speed Class 30 (V30)
- Design for Gaming Handheld: Steam Deck, ROG Ally and Nintendo Switch
- High compatibility for different types of devices including smartphones, tablets, Drones, Android Tablets, Tablet PCs, Action Cameras, DSLR and 4K or Full HD camcorder.
- Equipped with an automatic error correction code (ECC) function
- 5-year limited manufacturer warranty
Rank #2
- Compatible with Nintendo-Switch 1 (NOT Nintendo-Switch 2), smartphones, and tablets
- Boost your gaming experience with up to 160MB/s read for fast load times
- A2-rated app performance lets you quickly access and enjoy games and apps without lag for an enhanced gaming experience and a competitive edge
- Store more of your favorite games and other content with capacities up to 2TB
- Built to endure with temperature resistance, waterproofing, x-ray protection, and more
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