Windows Central Insider
What you need to know
- dbrand is a popular manufacturer specializing in protective accessories for portable devices like cell phones and handheld consoles.
- Pre-orders for a two-pack of tempered glass screen protectors for the upcoming ASUS ROG Ally are now live.
- Shipping for the screen protector begins in June, hinting at a possible summer release window for ASUS' handheld console.
If you've ever been in the market for screen protectors, whether for a Steam Deck or whatever is taking the place of a Windows Phone in your pocket these days, you've probably seen dbrand pop up in search results. They're more than a little experienced in manufacturing high-quality protective accessories for handheld devices and have a respectable reputation for owning and fixing its million-dollar mistakes.
> ASUS ROG Ally: All you need to know
> dbrand Steam Deck skin & protector
> Windows gives ROG Ally the advantage
> Ally price leaks: Better value vs Valve?
Considering the upcoming ASUS ROG Ally handheld stands to be Valve's biggest rival in the handheld PC gaming scene, it makes sense that dbrand would offer an equivalent range of screen protectors; but I didn't think they'd be this fast.
Official details for the upcoming portable console are still thin on the ground until ASUS gives us the scoop during its official launch event on May 11. Still, dbrand's involvement seems to point to a much closer availability than I'd have ever expected.
If nothing else, it means the design has been finalized if third-party accessories are on their way since any changes to the screen size would make the whole thing pointless. The dbrand ROG Ally tempered glass screen protector is set for release in June, which raised my eyebrows. Would anyone buy a $25 screen protector for a console that hasn't been released yet? Maybe. But probably not.
There are two tempered glass protectors included, with dbrand understanding that not everyone makes an entirely perfect fit on their first attempt. Inherently, it's not that exciting of an accessory, but I'll always recommend it to everyone picking up such a valuable piece of portable hardware. There's no reason not to protect your handheld consoles from scratches, and the dbrand Steam Deck skins and screen protectors already impressed in our review.
Boasting an edge-to-edge fit to absolute perfection, the dbrand screen protector will protect your future ROG Ally from greasy fingerprints thanks to its oleophobic coating. It's a fancy way of saying they're oil-proof, but it's a welcome investment for a device you'll likely be rubbing your hands over regularly.
Keep an eye out for them in the coming months, perhaps alongside the console itself. We'll keep you posted on anything related to ASUS' upcoming Steam Deck competitor. Even something as thrilling as tempered glass screen protectors.
