gaming handhelds Archives

Winsage

November 22, 2025

Microsoft’s big push to dethrone SteamOS in the handheld market launches tomorrow

Microsoft's Windows 11 platform is facing competition from alternatives like SteamOS and Bazzite in the handheld gaming market, leading users to replace Windows 11 on third-party devices. To address this challenge, Microsoft is launching the Full Screen Experience (FSE), which aims to enhance the gaming environment on Windows 11 by streamlining the user interface. Initially exclusive to Asus ROG Xbox Ally and Ally X, FSE will be available to all Windows 11 handhelds starting tomorrow. The rollout was announced on Xbox Wire and will expand to more Windows 11 PC form factors through the Xbox and Windows Insider programs. Initial impressions suggest that while FSE improves game booting convenience, it has not yet significantly boosted game performance.

AppWizard

November 17, 2025

Hurry if you still want to grab six Steam Deck games for just $15, saving you $141

This month’s Humble Choice bundle offers eight games for a subscription price of .99, with six titles confirmed as Steam Deck Verified or Playable. The bundle includes: 1. Total War: Warhammer 3 - Steam Deck Unsupported 2. Another Crab's Treasure - Steam Deck Verified 3. No More Heroes 3 - Steam Deck Unsupported 4. Etrian Odyssey HD - Steam Deck Verified 5. Pharaoh: A New Era - Steam Deck Playable 6. Synergy - Steam Deck Playable 7. Spin Hero - Steam Deck Playable 8. Paleo Pines - Steam Deck Verified The total game value is 9.92 (£195.62), with .94 (£133.64) for Steam Deck compatible games. Subscribers can pause or cancel their subscription at any time.

BetaBeacon

November 15, 2025

Android 17 May Bring Forced Controller Support for Every Game

Google is preparing a quality-of-life update for Android 17 that will introduce native, system-level support for managing game controllers. This update will include a new Controller Remapping permission restricted to system-signed apps, a central hub for controllers in the Settings app, and a virtual gamepad that can map on-screen touch controls to physical controller inputs. This update aims to provide stable, low-latency, and predictable behavior across all games and devices, making mobile gaming more enjoyable for users.

BetaBeacon

November 14, 2025

Android gaming handhelds are great, but there’s an ugly side to the space I’m tired of ignoring. Here’s a glimpse at my journey through the frustrating world of delayed Android gaming handhelds and what it reveals about one of the market’s biggest players

AYANEO is experiencing quality control issues, poor build quality, and shipping delays due to trying to do too much too fast.

BetaBeacon

November 13, 2025

GameHub makes surprise Play Store appearance, making it easier than ever to play Windows games on Android

GameSir's GameHub application is now available on the Google Play Store for free. GameHub allows users to play Windows games on Android devices by signing into their personal Steam account.

BetaBeacon

November 7, 2025

Android gaming handhelds are having their ‘Steam Deck moment’ as new devices like the AYN Odin 3 and KONKR Pocket FIT deliver Snapdragon 8 Elite power and full PC game emulation at unprecedented budget prices, ushering in a golden age for portable gaming

The Steam Deck originally launched with a price tag of 9, cheaper than other x86 handhelds. AYANEO and AYN have now released Android gaming handhelds powered by the Snapdragon 8 Elite, offering top spec models for 9 and 9 respectively. These handhelds can run Windows emulation and offer a user-friendly experience for gaming. The Snapdragon 8 Elite is capable of emulating other consoles, including Switch games. AYANEO, AYN, and Retroid are releasing handhelds with a similar price-to-performance ratio as the Steam Deck.

BetaBeacon

November 6, 2025

AYANEO’s Pocket Vert breaks cover in its first teaser video

AYANEO provided a first look at the Pocket Vert, a Game Boy-styled handheld with a 3.5-inch LCD display and 1600 x 1440 resolution.

AppWizard

November 5, 2025

I’d pay $1,500 for an Xbox Ally X with 2.5x the performance, and this leaked AMD CPU could nudge that dream closer to reality

AMD is rumored to be developing the Ryzen AI Max+ 388 chip, featuring the largest integrated GPU it has produced, built on the Strix Halo design. This chip has a streamlined architecture with eight CPU cores and 40 compute units (CUs) based on RDNA 3.5 architecture, distinguishing it from its predecessor, the Ryzen AI Max+ 395, which has 16 CPU cores. The Max+ 388's GPU is expected to be significantly more powerful than existing models like the Steam Deck and Xbox Ally X, potentially offering 2.5 times the performance of the Xbox Ally X. The current market for handheld gaming chips includes devices like the Steam Deck and Xbox Ally X, with the Max+ 388 anticipated to set a new benchmark for portable gaming performance. The only current handheld using the Strix Halo architecture is the GPD Win 5, priced around ,000.

Winsage

November 1, 2025

Announcing Windows 11 Insider Preview Build 26220.7051 (Dev & Beta Channels)

Windows 11 Insider Preview Build 26220.7051 (KB5067115) has been released to the Dev and Beta Channels. Insiders in the Dev Channel can switch to the Beta Channel while both channels receive the same 25H2-based updates. The update introduces the Ask Copilot feature in the taskbar, allowing users to interact with their PC using text or voice commands. The full screen experience (FSE) is now available on more Windows 11 handheld devices, designed for console-style navigation. A preview of shared audio is being rolled out, enabling two users to share audio from connected devices. The update also includes improvements to Prism, enhancing compatibility for 64-bit x86 applications. Various fixes have been implemented, including issues with USB devices, the Start menu, File Explorer, lock and login screens, and Settings. Known issues include problems with the Start menu and system tray for some users. Features are rolled out gradually, and feedback is encouraged through the Feedback Hub.

AppWizard

November 1, 2025

RX 6000 cards lose game-specific optimisations as AMD puts RDNA 1 and 2 in ‘maintenance mode’

AMD has launched the RX 9070 XT and RX 9060 XT, improving its consumer perception, especially compared to Nvidia's underperforming RTX 5070. However, AMD is facing backlash for transitioning RDNA 1 and 2 graphics cards to legacy support. The announcement indicated new game support for Radeon RX 7000 and 9000 series products, but concerns arose regarding the lack of support for RDNA 2, which could affect gaming handhelds. Consumer frustration has been evident on platforms like Reddit, where many questioned the decision to discontinue RDNA 2 support, particularly for GPUs like the 6700XT, 6800XT, and 6900XT. The absence of ongoing support may reduce the value of RDNA 2 cards for future builds, contrasting with Nvidia's continued support for its older RTX 20-series cards. This shift in AMD's support strategy raises concerns about the longevity of RDNA 1 and 2 cards in the evolving gaming landscape.