All articles tagged with #gaming handhelds
Engadget's weekly review roundup covers the latest tech, including the MSI Claw 8 EX AI+ delivering top-tier gaming performance at a premium; Sony A7R VI combining ultra-high resolution with speed; Ray‑Ban Meta Optics with prescription lenses; Insta360 Luna Ultra as a strong dual-lens vlogging camera; and updates on Google’s Gemini-era Home Speaker and XGIMI MemoMind One’s AI-enabled glasses.
Intel unveiled its Arc G3 Extreme for PC gaming handhelds just before Computex 2026, powering three flagships—Acer Predator Atlas 8, MSI Claw 8 EX AI+, and OneXPlayer 3—while Asus’s updated Xbox Ally X sticks with AMD. Prices look steep (MSI hints at about $1,500 for Claw 8 EX AI+; OneXPlayer 3 is expected to be costly), reflecting higher-end components and premium features like OLED and detachable controllers. In early hands-on testing, games ran in the high 40s to high 50s fps on medium settings with XeSS upscaling (some titles hit the 60fps target) and performance will hinge on cooling and tuning. The era of affordable handhelds may be giving way to a more competitive but pricier landscape, with Intel leading the charge and AMD poised to respond later.
Valve has discontinued the LCD model of the Steam Deck, leaving only the OLED versions available, which offer better battery life and display. The LCD model, previously the more affordable option, is now out of stock and will no longer be produced, but existing owners will still receive software support. Buyers now must choose between higher-priced OLED models with increased storage options.
Microsoft affirms its commitment to Xbox hardware with new partnerships like the ASUS Xbox Ally handheld, while also exploring future first-party Xbox handhelds, despite recent consumer trust issues and market challenges. The company emphasizes ongoing investment in gaming hardware and cloud infrastructure, aiming to innovate and expand options for gamers.
Battlefield 6 cannot be played on the Steam Deck due to its Linux OS and anti-cheat software incompatibility, but it is expected to run on Windows-based handhelds like the ROG Xbox Ally and Lenovo Legion Go, which have more powerful hardware and support Windows.
The Steam Deck is currently on a significant discount during the 2025 fall Steam sale, with the $400 LCD model reduced by 20%, making it cheaper than most current-gen gaming devices and putting pressure on competitors. This discount, possibly a clearance sale, highlights the device's competitive pricing amid rising costs for other consoles, and it remains the best-selling portable gaming device outside of Nintendo.
Lenovo has opened preorders for the Legion Go 2 gaming handhelds, available in two models with high-end specs, priced at $1,099.99 and $1,349.99, both set to release on October 31, featuring an 8.8-inch OLED display, large storage options, and included PC Game Pass.
The ROG Xbox Ally X and Lenovo Legion Go 2 are premium gaming handhelds with distinct features: the Xbox Ally X offers a more comfortable grip and Xbox interface, while the Legion Go 2 boasts a larger, OLED display with higher refresh rate and detachable controllers. The Legion Go 2 is likely more expensive, but provides a better display and more versatile controls, making it suitable for users seeking high-end features. Pricing and availability are expected in October 2025, with the Legion Go 2 starting at around $1,049.
The gaming handheld market is experiencing a price disparity, with the Steam Deck remaining affordable at $399, while competitors like Asus, MSI, and Ayaneo are releasing high-powered devices costing up to $999, reflecting a shift towards power over affordability. Despite the hardware advancements, the Steam Deck's popularity is driven by its price and user-friendly SteamOS, highlighting that gamers value core functionality and cost-effectiveness over raw power. The market's future remains dynamic, with anticipation for Valve's Steam Deck 2.
The Asus ROG Xbox Ally, a new gaming handheld, is gaining excitement due to its simplified, controller-friendly Windows 11 interface that boots directly into an Xbox UI, potentially offering better performance and battery life compared to traditional Windows 11 devices, and competing with SteamOS-based handhelds.
Xbox has announced a new Handheld Compatibility Program and release date for the Xbox Ally X, aiming to improve game compatibility and performance transparency for portable gaming devices, potentially addressing issues seen with Steam Deck verification. The system includes badges for game optimization and performance indicators, which could enhance user experience and prevent frustration from poorly running games on these new handhelds, set to launch on October 16, 2025.
A new tiny, removable mini SSD aims to address the growing storage needs of portable gaming systems by providing fast, easy-to-upgrade storage that can handle large game files and high-resolution assets without requiring system disassembly.
The article explores various innovative tech gadgets and concepts, including tiny gaming devices like the Thumby Color, transforming handhelds, modular phones, a Star Wars cargo bot, and a powerful gaming laptop, highlighting their features, potential, and the author's personal experiences and opinions.
The Lenovo Legion Go 2, a versatile gaming handheld with an OLED display and detachable controllers, has leaked, showcasing improvements over its predecessor and potential competition for the upcoming Xbox Ally X, with features like VRR, a large screen, and high storage capacity, though its final pricing and specifications remain uncertain.
Leaked prices suggest the Xbox Ally and Xbox Ally X will cost around $599 and $899 respectively, aligning with their predecessor's pricing in Europe, and potentially making them some of the most powerful gaming handhelds with Z2 APUs, though final prices await official confirmation.