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Explore the five best handheld gaming devices of 2025, featuring the ROG Ally X, Steam Deck OLED, and more.
In 2025, portable gaming is quite popular, with brands such as Asus, Valve, MSI, and others entering the market. Although the trend began in the mid-2000s with devices like the Sony PSP and later gained attention with the Nintendo Switch in 2017, it has continued to evolve since then. Now, x86 hardware is also available in handheld form, allowing both Linux and Windows operating systems to be used.
This article covers the latest x86-powered handhelds that you can use for gaming, work, and almost any other purpose. It’s basically a PC, but it feels like a tablet. Without further delay, let’s get started!
1. Asus ROG Ally X
Price Range: $799-$899
ROG Ally X is one of the best handheld gaming devices available. It has improved a lot since the backlash it faced in its previous iterations, such as the battery capacity. Overall, the RDNA 3 architecture within the Z1 Extreme is highly capable of driving any title, with reasonable settings, at a playable framerate. The Ally X also has multiple power modes and packs in all the AMD exclusive features, such as FSR, RSR, etc.
Key specifications:
- AMD Ryzen Z1 Extreme Procesor
- RDNA 3 GPU
- 24GB LPDDR5X RAM
- Up to 2TB of Storage
- 7-inch IPS Display with 120Hz refresh rate
- 80Wh battery
- Windows 11 Operating System
2. Steam Deck OLED
Price Range: $549-$649
The Steam Deck OLED is widely prevalent among gamers seeking a portable gaming option. This iteration of the Steam Deck has an upgraded OLED screen, which means punchy colors and longer battery life. Unlike the ROG Ally, the specs are a bit weaker. It has a custom Zen 2 APU along with an RDNA 2 GPU. What it makes up for is the Steam OS, which is a Linux-based operating system tuned to excel in gaming. Overall, the Steam Deck is a great handheld gaming option for anyone who wants it with portability.
Key specifications:
- Custom 6nm Zen2 AMD APU Processor
- RDNA 2 GPU
- 16GB LPDDR5 RAM
- Up to 1TB of Storage
- 7.4-inch HDR OLED Display with 90 Hz refresh rate
- 50Wh Battery
- Steam OS Operating System
3. Ayaneo Kun
Price Range: $999 – $1199
The Ayeneo Kun is one of the most customizable handhelds out there. Regarding processing power, RAM, and storage options, the Ayaneo looks to be the most compelling option. Although it has a bigger screen than the competition, the standard 60Hz refresh rate is not desired anymore.
Key specifications:
- Ryzen 7 8840 U processor (5.1 GHz)
- RDNA 3 GPU
- Up to 64GB LPDDR5X RAM
- Up to 8TB of Storage (To be purchased separately)
- 8.4-inch IPS Display with 60 Hz refresh rate
- 75 Wh Battery
- Windows 11 Operating System
4. MSI Claw 8 AI+
Price: $899
The Claw 8 AI+ is a unique offering from MSI; unlike the competitors, who rely on AMD for the CPU and GPU, we have Intel on offer here. The Lunar Lake CPU architecture incorporates the Battlemage GPU. Although RDNA architecture is much faster than the Battlemage, Intel’s efficiency makes it appealing for handheld devices.
Key specifications:
- Intel Core Ultra 7-258V Processor
- Intel Arc Graphics 140V
- 32GB LPDDR5X RAM
- 1TB of Storage
- 8-inch IPS LCD display with 120Hz refresh rate
- 80Wh Battery
5. GPD Win 4 2025
Price: $1499
Ever used BlackBerry phones with sliding keypads? This one brings back nostalgia! The GPD Win 4 is the most powerful option in terms of CPU performance. The sliding feature reveals a physical keyboard that you can use for productivity tasks, such as coding and writing. It also expands your game choices, as now you can perform those combo moves in MOBA/RPG over here, too. Lastly, you can connect an eGPU to this device, a rare feature in the handheld gaming segment.
Key specifications:
- AMD Ryzen AI 9 HX 370 Processor
- RDNA 3 GPU
- 32GB LPDDR5X RAM
- 2TB of Storage
- 6-Inch FHD Screen with 60Hz Variable Refresh Rate.
- 45.62 Wh Battery
Final Verdict
Every device mentioned is highly capable of handling your gaming needs, but the choices can differ when you are looking for more than specs. Here are a few criteria you can focus on if you’re having a tough time choosing one:
- Efficiency King – MSI Claw 8 AI+
- Best Specifications – GPD Win 4 2025; It also carries the retro feel found on the BlackBerry/Nokia devices.
- Best Display and Operating System – Steam Deck OLED.
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