The Battle for Handheld Gaming Supremacy Heats Up
The world of handheld gaming has never been more exciting, with new contenders entering the fray and established players upping their game. At Computex 2024, we saw the unveiling of the Asus ROG Ally X, a beefed-up version of the original ROG Ally, and the Zotac Zone, a new challenger to the Steam Deck’s throne.
Asus ROG Ally X: A Mid-Cycle Refresh
The ROG Ally X is not a next-generation handheld, but rather a mid-cycle refresh of the original ROG Ally. It sports the same AMD Ryzen Z1 Extreme processor and 7-inch FHD panel with a 120Hz refresh rate as its predecessor. However, Asus has made some significant upgrades, doubling the storage to 1TB, the RAM to 24GB, and the battery capacity to 80Wh. The ergonomic design has also been improved, with better grips and more comfortable joysticks.
Zotac Zone: A New Challenger Emerges
The Zotac Zone, on the other hand, is a brand-new handheld gaming PC that’s set to arrive in September for $800. It boasts a 120Hz AMOLED display, dual touchpads, hall-effect joysticks, and a beefy Ryzen 7 8840U APU. With its impressive specs and competitive pricing, the Zotac Zone is poised to give the Steam Deck a run for its money.
The State of Handheld Gaming
As the handheld gaming market continues to evolve, one thing is clear: the competition is heating up. With the Asus ROG Ally X and Zotac Zone joining the fray, gamers have more options than ever before. But as prices continue to rise, one has to wonder: will we soon see a shift towards more affordable options?
What’s Next?
As we look to the future of handheld gaming, one thing is certain: the battle for supremacy is far from over. With new players entering the market and established brands continuing to innovate, the next few years are shaping up to be an exciting time for gamers.
Image: A collection of handheld gaming devices
