It is no secret that cellular gaming has exploded, and in some ways, surpassed “conventional” gaming. With the ability to take out your telephone and play the finest Android video games when you’re ready in line provides an unparalleled degree of comfort. Nonetheless, the market began to see a little bit of a shift following the discharge of the Steam Deck.
Not solely are you able to play your favourite video games from anyplace, however you are not simply restricted to what’s accessible within the Play Retailer. Whereas Android gaming handhelds have been round for years, they too have seen a somewhat dramatic uptick in recognition. It is helped spawn gadgets just like the Logitech G Cloud and Razer Edge and even sparked Qualcomm to introduce a devoted chip only for these kind of gadgets.
Though the market is filled with all kinds of decisions, we’re rounding up simply a few of our favorites which might be operating Android. Which means you will not discover the Steam Deck right here, however you may simply uncover that you do not want one thing that sturdy.
At a look
Greatest general
If you take a look at every thing that the AYN Odin 2 has to supply, and what it is able to, you will shortly perceive why the Odin 2 is our favourite Android handheld.
Greatest finances decide
Retroid is aware of the way to make a stable Android handheld, even when it is operating customized software program. However, the Pocket 2S provides unbelievable worth in comparison with a lot of the competitors.
Greatest vertical handheld
In case you’re in search of simply the correct quantity of nostalgia, whereas enjoying rather more than simply GameBoy video games, then you definitely will not be upset with Anbernic’s RG353V.
Greatest display screen
It is not typically that we discover ourselves choosing a show with solely a 60Hz refresh charge. Ayaneo manages to shock us with the OLED panel discovered on the Pocket AIR.
Greatest for cloud gaming
Though it is pricier than it ought to be, Logitech’s G Cloud provides top-of-the-line cloud gaming handhelds. It additionally helps that the G Cloud is extremely comfy to carry and does extra than simply stream video games.
Greatest for gaming on the go
The Razer Edge got here as a little bit of a shock, because it’s primarily only a 7-inch pill with a removable controller. However, it is fairly a bit extra highly effective than its closest competitors, at a price.
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Greatest DS-style handheld
Sadly, gaming handhelds styled just like the Nintendo DS lineup are few and much between. Fortunately, the Retroid Pocket Flip picks up the flak.
Taking pictures for the moon
Even in the event you ignore the claims of turning this right into a VR headset, the Pimax Portal nonetheless supplies one of many extra distinctive experiences on this section.
Greatest general
In case you’re in search of probably the most performant and spectacular Android handheld gaming console, then it does not get any higher than the AYN Odin 2. It is powered by the identical Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chip that is present in most of the finest Android telephones, such because the Galaxy S23 Extremely and OnePlus Open. With this, you are assured a degree of efficiency that you simply will not discover anyplace else within the area.
The Odin 2 is available in three completely different configurations, providing completely different quantities of RAM and storage. This begins with the Odin 2 Base, because it consists of 8GB of RAM and 128GB of storage, whereas the Odin 2 Professional options 12GB of RAM and 256GB of storage. Rounding out the pack is the Odin 2 Max, outfitted with 16GB of storage and 512GB of storage. For these frightened about operating out of area, you will be completely happy to know that there is a microSD card slot, supplying you with room for much more video games.
When it comes to efficiency, what extra can we actually say? It will deal with all the finest Android video games from the Play Retailer with ease, and issues get much more thrilling on the subject of emulation. After configuring all your emulators, the Odin 2 is able to enjoying every thing from the NES all the way in which as much as some Change video games. Nonetheless, it is essential to notice that the state of Change emulation on Android remains to be a piece in progress however is transferring at an extremely fast tempo.
The most important factor holding the Ayn Odin 2 again is the value for the Professional and Max fashions. For $369, you are already solely $30 away from the value of the LCD Steam Deck, which is rather more performant and may play all your favourite video games, together with most of the finest PC video games. And the $459 price ticket for the Odin 2 Max is type of in “no man’s land” between the Steam Deck LCD and the brand new Steam Deck OLED. So the choice will actually come down as to whether you need a gaming handheld solely for emulation and Android, or in the event you additionally need the flexibleness to play PC video games.
Greatest worth
For fairly some time, Retroid dominated the retro gaming handheld scene with the likes of the Retroid Pocket 2. Since then, the corporate has ramped up its manufacturing of recent handhelds, all operating some type of Android. Our present favourite decide is the Retroid Pocket 2S, which is operating a personalized model of LineageOS.
This takes us again into the realm of horizontal-styled handhelds however is kind of a bit extra performant than was initially anticipated. It is able to operating video games at full velocity all the way in which as much as the PS1 earlier than you begin operating into slow-downs and different points with GameCube, Wii, and the 3DS. It is also small and light-weight making it nice for shortly choosing it up and enjoying a recreation, even when for only a few minutes.
Even with the Retroid Pocket 4 starting to ship, the Pocket 2S nonetheless provides unbelievable worth for beneath $100. The 2 largest detractors are all concerning the display screen, as the three.5-inch show feels fairly small. Perhaps, Retroid might launch an up to date model with a bigger display screen and ditch the bezels altogether.
Greatest vertical handheld
Up so far, the listing has been comprised of gaming handhelds which might be extra paying homage to a Nintendo Change, and never these from our childhood. The Anbernic RG353V scratches the “itch” of wanting a contemporary Sport Boy, with out coping with bodily modding an authentic handheld. The RG353V is a little bit of an outlier, as effectively, due to the truth that it runs each Linux and Android, whereas sporting twin microSD card slots.
The most important catch right here is that whereas it dual-boots with Android, you possibly can’t simply begin downloading the finest Android video games from the Play Retailer. As a substitute, you will have to sideload and set up each the Play Retailer and Play Companies APK. Nonetheless, since that is solely outfitted with 2GB of RAM, you are in all probability higher off solely counting on the Android facet to sideload varied emulators that run higher in comparison with the Linux partition.
We’re hoping to see a extra highly effective successor to the RG353V over the following 12 months, particularly contemplating how incessantly new handhelds are hitting the market. That is largely since you’ll in all probability run into bottlenecks once you begin stepping into N64, PSP, and Dreamcast video games. To not point out that the RG353V is kind of a bit costly, even in the event you opted for the RG353VS that solely provides Linux.
Greatest display screen
In late 2023, Ayaneo made waves as the corporate was introduced as a associate with Qualcomm for an upcoming Snapdragon G3x Gen 2-powered gadget. This was revealed to be the Ayaneo Pocket S, however exterior of the design and a few gameplay footage, we aren’t certain precisely what to anticipate simply but. Earlier than then, the Pocket AIR was launched, trying to offer a performant Android gaming handheld console with just a few further tips.
Arguably, the largest promoting level of the Pocket AIR is the distinctive cooling system that has been built-in. Ayaneo pulled from its expertise growing and creating varied Home windows handhelds, implementing an “X86-level lively cooling system.” It is not a lot that the MediaTek Dimensity 1200 has overheating issues, however this cooling system ensures that you will by no means have to fret about efficiency degradation whereas enjoying video games.
The inclusion of the Dimensity 1200 was a bit stunning, as this chip was launched again in 2021, providing the same degree of efficiency to the Snapdragon 870. Ayaneo additionally shocked us, because the Pocket AIR includes a SIM card tray, permitting you to play video games from anyplace, with no need to be related to Wi-Fi.
In addition to bumping up towards the efficiency limitations of the Dimensity 1200, our largest grievance concerning the Pocket AIR is with the software program. Out of the field, Ayaneo consists of its personal AyaHome launcher, together with AyaSpace in your recreation library. Nonetheless, it isn’t the best expertise, and it did not take lengthy earlier than I simply downloaded and converted to utilizing Daijisho.
Greatest cloud gaming
There wasn’t a variety of love for the Logitech G Cloud when it was first launched, as its major focus was to function as a cloud streaming handheld. You can even go as far as to think about it as a PlayStation Portal however for cloud gaming companies. However, it did not take lengthy to comprehend that, not like the Portal, there’s rather more that you are able to do with the G Cloud.
It is undoubtedly underpowered, as Logitech opted for the Snapdragon 720G and simply 4GB of RAM. However, that is loads of juice for a lot of of your favourite Android video games, and even allows you to dabble with emulation, to a sure diploma. On that entrance, the G Cloud can emulate as much as Sega Saturn with ease, whereas additionally being performant sufficient for some GameCube, Wii, and even the PS2.
If there’s one factor that’s holding the G Cloud again, even right this moment, it is the value. Logitech launched this Android gaming handheld with a retail value of $349, but it surely appears that there is a everlasting value drop all the way down to $299. Even on the value, $299 is a tricky promote for a handheld that does not embrace issues like Wi-Fi 6.
Greatest on-the-go gaming
On the alternative finish of the spectrum from the Logitech G Cloud is the Razer Edge, which was introduced in late 2022, and subsequently launched early in 2023. Energy is not a lot of a difficulty right here, due to the Snapdragon G3x Gen 1, together with the attractive 6.8-inch AMOLED touchscreen show, full with a 144Hz refresh charge.
At its core, that is simply an Android pill with the Razer Kishi V2 Professional controller hooked up. However, there are two variations of the Edge, as you possibly can go for both the mannequin with simply Wi-Fi, or recreation on the go along with 5G. This alone offers the Edge a leg up on most of the different gaming handhelds available on the market. Plus, there’s even a microSD card slot, which got here as a little bit of a welcome shock.
Sadly, the Razer Edge suffers from the identical drawback because the G Cloud because it’s simply actually too costly. At $400 or $600, you are firmly planted in the identical value vary because the Steam Deck, which is kind of a bit extra highly effective than what you get with the Edge. Razer additionally pulled a “quick one” with the discharge, as the corporate did not initially reveal that the Wi-Fi-only mannequin would have 6GB of RAM in comparison with the 8GB of RAM within the 5G model.
Greatest flip design
Whereas the marketplace for transportable and pocketable gaming handhelds has exploded in recognition, many of those are restricted to both Sport Boy or Nintendo Change kind components. That is to say that there simply have not been very many Advance SP or Nintendo DS/3DS handhelds to select from. Retroid is making an attempt to vary that narrative because it launched the Retroid Pocket Flip in early 2023.
Flip open the lid, and also you’re greeted with a 4.7-inch touchscreen, together with twin analog sliders and your conventional button format. Retroid additionally solved one of many bigger issues with gaming handhelds in that the corporate makes it straightforward to remap controls with out inflicting a headache. And, by way of energy, we’re taking a look at emulation as much as the Sega Saturn, whereas additionally with the ability to deal with most of the finest Android video games.
You possibly can attempt to play a few of your favourite GameCube video games on the Pocket Flip, however, there simply aren’t many who play effectively. One thing else to bear in mind is that the slider joysticks do not sit as excessive up as different handhelds on this listing. This was achieved to keep away from contact between the sticks and the display screen, however it is going to in all probability take some getting used to whereas enjoying video games.
Greatest for combating video games
On the tail finish of 2023, Anbernic shocked many with the discharge of the RG ARC-D and ARC-S. The previous is the one that you will need in the event you’re in search of an Android gaming handheld, because it dual-boots each Linux and Android. What makes this so distinctive is that Anbernic constructed a handheld that appears like a SEGA Saturn controller with a touchscreen in the midst of it.
Even the D-Pad and button format is similar, with the Black shade coming with purple Begin and Choose buttons to match the aesthetic. In fact, this format implies that you will not discover a joystick, however the ARC-D is virtually good for side-scrollers and combating video games. Some may discover this to be a disappointment, however retro emulation efficiency caps out across the N64 and Dreamcast, so there are fewer video games to fret about.
It should not come as an excessive amount of of a shock, however whereas operating Android, the ARC-D does not include the Play Retailer or Play Companies pre-installed. That is as a result of this is similar internals because the aforementioned RG353V, simply in a totally completely different physique. The ARC-D can also be costlier than its counterpart, the ARC-S, which solely runs a modified model of Linux.
Greatest aspirations
One Android gaming handheld that piqued the curiosity of many was the Pimax Portal, because it was one of many first gadgets to comply with the Nintendo blueprint of detachable controllers. However, that is not how the corporate initially positioned the Portal, as evidenced by the quite a few cameras on the gadget. Pimax is making an attempt to create a two-in-one gadget, supplying you with a transportable gaming console, together with a competitor to the Meta Quest 2.
It even shares the identical chipset because the Quest 2, together with utilizing a shocking 4K QLED show with a 144Hz refresh charge. Regardless of operating Android 10 out of the field, the Portal nonetheless provides stunning ranges of efficiency as a handheld. Thanks partially to builders, a modified model of the Yuzu Nintendo Change emulator was launched, bringing compatibility to the Portal.
By itself, the Portal is a fairly superior Android gaming handheld, even with it operating an outdated model of Android. Nonetheless, the Portal VR Package that is wanted to show this right into a modular VR headset has solely shipped to a handful of customers however hasn’t been broadly launched. Due to that, it is powerful to suggest the Portal at its present (discounted) value of $399.
Put together for an inflow of Android gaming handhelds
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The gaming handheld market is not slowing down any time quickly, as there are much more choices to contemplate on the horizon. Certainly one of which is coming within the type of the Ayaneo Pocket S, a tool that was fashioned out of a partnership between Ayaneo and Qualcomm. We aren’t certain simply but when the Pocket S shall be launched, however Ayaneo has supplied a look at what we will count on from gameplay.
With that in thoughts, the Odin 2 from AYN is hands-down the most effective Android gaming handheld, no less than for now. It is powered by the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2, might be configured with as much as 16GB of RAM, and is only a pleasure to make use of. There are some things we would prefer to see in a future iteration, corresponding to an OLED show, and even only a sooner refresh charge. However, given its value in comparison with the finest Android telephones of final 12 months, the Odin 2 blows every thing else away.
What in the event you’re in search of a gaming handheld with a extra “retro vibe?” You need not look any additional than the Anbernic RG353V, particularly if you need a contemporary GameBoy. As we talked about beforehand, we’re actually hoping for an up to date and extra highly effective model to be launched, however the RG353V nonetheless packs a punch and hits the nostalgia bone, all on the identical time.
