The Lenovo Legion Y9 (2025 model) combines high-end hardware, including the Snapdragon 8 Elite chipset and 16GB of RAM, with the Lenovo G9 controller to deliver a versatile Android-based handheld gaming experience.
PC emulation on Android is becoming more popular, with many Android gamers finding it to be a viable option. ETA Prime showcased the capabilities of PC emulation on Android by running games like GTA V, Left 4 Dead 2, The Witcher 3, Spider-Man: Miles Morales, Marvel Cosmic Invasion, and Cyberpunk 2077 on various Android devices. GameHub, an app available on the Google Play Store, makes it easy to play PC games on Android by leveraging Valve's Proton compatibility layer.
The streets of Night City were too "hot" for mobile gaming as a blogger demonstrated running Cyberpunk 2077 on a smartphone, reaching temperatures up to 100°C due to thermal limitations.
YouTube's ETA Prime demonstrated that the PC version of Cyberpunk 2077 can run on a smartphone, achieving 30 to 40 FPS through emulation. This was made possible by the Red Magic 11 Pro, a powerful Android smartphone with an internal liquid cooling system and active cooling fan, paired with GameSir's GameHub platform. Valve has supported PC emulation for Android, enhancing GameHub's capabilities with its Proton compatibility layer. As smartphone processors advance, the potential for AAA PC gaming on mobile devices is increasing, with future possibilities of running Cyberpunk 2077 at frame rates near 60 FPS, assuming AI silicon demand does not impede progress.
Playing PC games on an Android device using GameHub and GameNative is legal and does not involve questionable workarounds. Game emulation for older systems and retro consoles is different and may have legality issues. GameHub and GameNative are recommended methods for playing games on Android, with GameHub being the best all-rounder. Tweaking settings may be necessary for optimal performance. Android handhelds have advantages over x86 gaming handhelds but may not be a proper replacement yet. The future for PC gaming on Android looks promising as more development is being done in this area.
The OnePlus 15 was tested for gaming performance using games like Call of Duty: Mobile and Genshin Impact. The phone performed well under pressure, dissipating heat effectively. Emulation tests for PS3 and Windows games were also conducted, with the phone handling them smoothly. The phone did not overheat during testing, indicating that OnePlus has fixed previous heating issues. The reviewer recommends the OnePlus 15 for potential buyers due to its stable performance and recent fixes for heating problems.
Emulation is a popular use for retro gaming handhelds, allowing them to mimic older devices like the Game Boy, Super Nintendo, and PlayStation 1 to play games originally released for those platforms. Emulators can recreate all the processes of old consoles using modern hardware. Emulation can lead to minor inaccuracies in sound or graphics, but also allows for games to be upscaled to higher resolutions and supports save states. Emulation is legal as long as copyrighted software is not distributed to run on emulators. Retro gaming handhelds can also play Android games and stream games from the cloud. There are ways to play PC games on retro gaming handhelds using Linux or Android, either through fan-made ports or compatibility layers. Some concerns exist with using certain apps to play Steam games on Android, but the future may hold an official way to play Steam games on these devices.