Zotac Zone Review: The Powerful Yet Pricey Steam Deck OLED Challenger
As the handheld gaming market evolves, the portable device landscape continually welcomes new contenders. Enter the Zotac Zone, a device poised as a direct competitor to the popular Steam Deck, specifically looking to dethrone the newer Steam Deck OLED model. Priced higher than many of its rivals, this device comes packaged with impressive hardware specifications that warrant a deep dive.
The Zotac Zone boasts impressive hardware that stands out in the crowded handheld market.
Design and Features: A Closer Look
Zotac’s reputation in the graphics card arena precedes it, and their handheld design does not disappoint. The Zotac Zone features a robust 7-inch AMOLED display boasting a stunning resolution of 1920x1080 and a refresh rate of 120Hz. At its core lies the AMD Ryzen 7 8840U processor alongside AMD Radeon 780M graphics, making this device an impressive powerhouse on paper. Coupled with 16GB LPDDR5X RAM and a speedy 512GB NVMe SSD, the specs provide the kind of performance that serious gamers will appreciate.
Control-wise, Zotac has delivered an experience that transcends the current standard. The device incorporates Hall effect thumbsticks and clicky D-pads evocative of elite gamepad controllers, while dual trackpads offer precise navigation. As noted, “the input flexibility currently stands unique among handheld PCs, allowing ease of use even when executing complex tasks on Windows 11.”
Performance: Benchmarking the Zone
When it comes to raw performance, the Zotac Zone makes its mark significantly. Gamers can expect faster frame rates as the integrated Radeon graphics deliver top-tier benchmarks compared to its peers. Even when pitted against the Steam Deck, the Zone largely outperforms it in high-demand gaming scenarios.
For example, while games like Horizon Forbidden West are demanding, the Zone manages to handily keep above playable frame rates at a lower resolution. This performance is further exemplified when compared to its competitors. In lower configurations, the Zotac Zone effectively handles several demanding titles at 720p and even manages to squeeze out a decent 35 fps on medium settings for titles that make the Steam Deck sweat.
Performance benchmarks display the Zotac Zone’s capabilities against the competition.
Display Quality: A Visual Treat
The AMOLED screen of the Zone presents vibrant color reproduction and impressive responsiveness, surpassing the Steam Deck OLED’s specifications in terms of resolution. Technically, the Zone covers 100% of the sRGB gamut. However, it does face competition in peak brightness, with the Steam Deck OLED managing 984cd/m2 as opposed to the 916cd/m2 from the Zone. Those seeking a device for outdoor gaming may want to consider the practical aspects of screen glare versus performance claims.
Despite these variations, the standout feature of the Zotac Zone is the ability to utilize its stunning display effectively across numerous game genres, providing a visual edge when gaming at 120Hz.
Software and Usability: Where It Struggles
However, navigating Windows 11 on a handheld poses its own challenges. Even with enhancements through Zotac’s ONE utility, the overall experience can feel clunky compared to the streamlined SteamOS that Valve provides. The necessity to toggle HDR settings manually detracts from user experience, particularly when the device prompts users to connect to a power source to utilize HDR. This inconvenient requirement overshadows the portability aspect that handheld systems strive for.
Battery Life: A Major Trade-off
One of the critical areas where the Zotac Zone falters is battery performance. Users can expect significantly shorter gameplay sessions, averaging just under two hours on demanding titles such as Elden Ring and often less in graphically intensive moments. For travelers or gamers seeking extended play sessions away from a power source, this could be a substantial drawback compared to the Steam Deck, which boasts nearly six hours in similar scenarios.
Understanding battery performance is crucial for portable gaming devices.
Conclusion: Valuing Performance vs. Practicality
In the current market, the Zotac Zone presents an enticing yet polarizing option for enthusiasts willing to invest heavily in portable gaming. It certainly excels in performance and graphics but falls short in practical aspects such as battery life, usability, and light handling.
While the fluid graphics and advanced controls may attract power users, the Steam Deck OLED remains a more balanced choice overall. With a competitive price, extended battery life, and an optimized software experience, the Steam Deck continues to lead in the portable gaming space—proving that sometimes, practicality should outweigh sheer power.
Ultimately, buyers will need to weigh what they value more—speed and performance, or usability and endurance. This choice might signify whether the Zone becomes the handheld of choice for gamers or remains just another strong alternative on the market.
Further Reading
To explore more about the Zone and its competitors:
