Comparative Analysis of Handheld Gaming Consoles: 2023-2024

1. Summary

• The report titled 'Comparative Analysis of Handheld Gaming Consoles: 2023-2024' evaluates the key handheld gaming consoles currently available, specifically the Steam Deck OLED, ASUS ROG Ally, Lenovo Legion Go, and Retroid Pocket 4 Pro. It provides a detailed analysis of each console's features, pros, and cons, helping consumers make well-informed purchasing decisions. The report covers the evolution and current landscape of handheld gaming, comparing consoles based on their display quality, performance, price, and unique features. Significant findings indicate that the Steam Deck OLED offers the best display and overall performance, the ASUS ROG Ally is recognized for its processing power and affordability during deals, the Lenovo Legion Go is distinguished by its high-resolution display and versatility, and the Retroid Pocket 4 Pro excels in portability and cost-effectiveness for retro gaming enthusiasts.

2. Introduction to Handheld Gaming Consoles

• 2-1. Evolution of handheld gaming consoles

• The concept of playing video games on the go has evolved significantly over the years. Initially, portable gaming experiences were limited, reflecting the technology and market demands of the time. The revolution in the gaming industry began with the introduction of the Nintendo Switch, which set a new standard for portable gaming. Soon after, major corporations like PlayStation, ASUS, and Lenovo entered the handheld gaming market, expanding the range and capabilities of these devices. The evolution from earlier handheld consoles to today's sophisticated models like the Steam Deck OLED and ASUS ROG Ally highlights significant advancements in processing power, display quality, and overall user experience.

• 2-2. Current landscape of handheld gaming

• In 2024, the market for handheld gaming consoles is varied and competitive, featuring prominent models such as the Steam Deck OLED, ASUS ROG Ally, Lenovo Legion Go, and Retroid Pocket 4 Pro. Each of these consoles brings unique features and capabilities to the table, attracting different segments of gamers. The Steam Deck OLED is praised for its powerful performance and high-quality display. The ASUS ROG Ally stands out with its superior processing power and deal offerings. Lenovo Legion Go is notable for its versatility, featuring detachable controllers and a high-resolution display. Meanwhile, the Retroid Pocket 4 Pro is acclaimed for its portability and affordability. The presence of both gaming consoles and gaming PCs in the handheld market indicates a blending of features, catering to both casual and hardcore gamers. This blend encompasses devices running on various operating systems, such as SteamOS for the Steam Deck and Windows for the ASUS ROG Ally, demonstrating the diverse applications of handheld gaming technology.

3. Top Handheld Gaming Consoles in 2023-2024

• 3-1. Steam Deck OLED

• The Steam Deck OLED is considered the best overall handheld gaming console for 2023-2024. It features a powerful 4-core Zen 2 processor, 16GB of RAM, and 512GB of built-in storage. The 7.4-inch OLED display offers 800p HD+ resolution with HDR, providing richer color details and deep blacks. The display supports up to 90Hz refresh rate. It's compatible with WiFi 6E, Bluetooth v5.3, and includes built-in trackpads to emulate a mouse. It can output videos at up to 8K@60Hz or 4K@120Hz when docked. Despite its premium quality, it is relatively pricey, and the dock station must be purchased separately. Additionally, it lacks built-in NFC for amiibos.

• 3-2. Nintendo Switch

• The Nintendo Switch OLED is the best budget option in the handheld gaming console market. Priced at around $350, it offers a good balance of features and performance. It includes a Tegra X1+ chip, three different play modes (handheld, tabletop, and docked), and built-in NFC for amiibos. The 7-inch OLED display provides vibrant graphics. Its pros include removable controllers, built-in dock station, MicroSD card slot for expandable storage, and a sturdy kickstand for tabletop mode. However, it struggles with AAA PC games and has a maximum video output of 1080p@60Hz when docked. It also doesn’t support the latest WiFi 6E standard.

• 3-3. ASUS ROG Ally

• The ASUS ROG Ally is marked as the best deal, often available at a reduced price during promotions. With an 8-core Ryzen Z1 Extreme processor, it boasts enhanced processing power. It features a 7-inch 1080p@120Hz display, Windows 11 system, compatibility with WiFi 6E, and a MicroSD slot for storage expansion. Additionally, it includes Bluetooth v5.2 and can handle many AAA games smoothly at 1080p resolution. The main drawbacks include suboptimal battery life and the lack of built-in trackpads. The ROG dock with HDMI output is sold separately.

• 3-4. Lenovo Legion Go

• The Lenovo Legion Go is recognized for its value, equipped with an 8-core Ryzen Z1 Extreme chip, an 8.8-inch QHD+ display, and a 144Hz refresh rate, ensuring smooth gaming. It has detachable controllers, multiple gaming modes, and built-in trackpads for a mouse-like experience. Other features include compatibility with WiFi 6E, Bluetooth v5.2, and a MicroSD slot for storage. Its primary issues are the poor battery life and bulkiness compared to competitors. Lenovo has not released a dock station yet.

• 3-5. Retroid Pocket 4 Pro

• The Retroid Pocket 4 Pro stands out for its portability with a compact, lightweight design. It features a 4.7-inch IPS display with 750p HD+ resolution at 60Hz, a MediaTek Dimensity 1100 chip, and runs on Android 11 with 8GB RAM. Suitable for retro gaming, it supports MicroSD for storage expansion, has a long battery life of over 15 hours, and includes Bluetooth v5.2. Despite these advantages, it may be less comfortable for users with larger hands, displays ghosting issues, and supports only up to 720p/1080p when connected to an external monitor.

4. Comparative Analysis of Handheld Consoles

• 4-1. Steam Deck OLED vs Competitors

• The Steam Deck OLED is considered one of the best handheld gaming consoles available. According to a review by Tom's Guide, the Steam Deck OLED, with its vivid display and performance, set a high benchmark in the handheld gaming market. Competitors like ASUS ROG Ally and Lenovo Legion Go, though impressive, have not managed to surpass the Steam Deck OLED entirely. The Steam Deck OLED boasts a 7-inch OLED display, providing exceptional contrast ratios and color reproduction that remain unmatched by rivals such as the ASUS ROG Ally and Lenovo Legion Go.

• 4-2. Lenovo Legion Go vs Asus ROG Ally

• The Lenovo Legion Go and ASUS ROG Ally are two notable contenders in the handheld gaming console market. The Lenovo Legion Go features an 8.8-inch display, 2,560 x 1,600 resolution, and 144Hz refresh rate, which surpasses the smaller 7-inch Full HD display and 120Hz refresh rate of the ASUS ROG Ally. However, despite its superior display and detachable controllers, the Legion Go's availability is a concern, as it was not yet for sale during the review period. The ASUS ROG Ally, conversely, offers a more portable design with AMD Ryzen Z1 processors and is available at a starting price of $700. Both devices possess unique strengths, such as the Legion Go's enhanced screen quality and customizable controllers, and the ROG Ally's compact form factor and strong performance.

• 4-3. Feature comparisons: display, performance, price

• When comparing features, the display quality of the handheld consoles is a crucial differentiator. The Steam Deck OLED excels with its bright and vibrant OLED screen. The Lenovo Legion Go takes display performance further with an 8.8-inch, 2,560 x 1,600 resolution, and a 144Hz refresh rate, which outdoes the ASUS ROG Ally’s 7-inch, 1920x1080 resolution, and 120Hz refresh rate. Performance-wise, both the Lenovo Legion Go and the ASUS ROG Ally utilize AMD Ryzen Z1 series chipsets, providing robust processing power suitable for gaming. In terms of pricing, the ASUS ROG Ally is available at $700 for the high-end model with the AMD Ryzen Z1 Extreme chip, while the Lenovo Legion Go is expected to start at the same price but was not yet available for purchase. The differentiating factor here is the advanced display and unique detachable controller feature of the Legion Go against the ROG Ally's portability and immediate availability.

5. Evaluation of Unique Features

• 5-1. Display and resolution

• The Steam Deck OLED boasts a 7.4-inch, 800p HD+ OLED display with HDR, offering a 90Hz refresh rate. It provides excellent color detail and deep blacks. The ASUS ROG Ally features a 7-inch, 1080p display with a 120Hz refresh rate. The Legion Go stands out with its 8.8-inch QHD+ display, presenting a 2560x1600 resolution and a 144Hz refresh rate—its brightness tested at 476 nits with 151.8% sRGB color gamut and 107.5% of the DCI-P3 color space. The Retroid Pocket 4 Pro has a smaller, 4.7-inch 750p HD+ IPS display with a 60Hz refresh rate.

• 5-2. Portability and usage convenience

• The Lenovo Legion Go includes detachable controllers and a built-in kickstand, allowing versatile gaming modes. The Steam Deck OLED, although praised for its comprehensive gaming experience, is relatively bulky compared to the ASUS ROG Ally, which is noted for its gaming-centric design and slight portability edge. The Retroid Pocket 4 Pro is notably the most portable option, designed to fit easily in a pocket. Its compact size and lightweight make it highly convenient for on-the-go gaming.

• 5-3. Processor and RAM specifications

• The Steam Deck OLED is powered by a 4-core Zen 2 processor with 16GB RAM. The ASUS ROG Ally uses the more powerful 8-core Ryzen Z1 Extreme processor, enhancing its raw processing power. Lenovo Legion Go also utilizes the Ryzen Z1 Extreme processor, paired with LPDDR5x RAM, which may offer slight improvements in data efficiency and battery life.

6. Conclusion

• The analysis concludes that each handheld gaming console—Steam Deck OLED, ASUS ROG Ally, Lenovo Legion Go, and Retroid Pocket 4 Pro—meets different gamer preferences effectively through their unique strengths and limitations. The Steam Deck OLED emerges as the top choice for those prioritizing high display quality and robust performance, despite its higher price point. The ASUS ROG Ally provides a balanced option with significant processing power and decent portability, although it lacks detachable controllers. Lenovo Legion Go's notable high-resolution display and detachable controllers make it a versatile choice, albeit with concerns about battery life and bulkiness. The Retroid Pocket 4 Pro is best suited for gamers needing maximum portability and affordability. However, the report acknowledges constraints, such as the limited availability of certain models, and suggests focusing on features like display quality, portability, and specific gaming needs when selecting a console. Future developments in handheld gaming could likely focus on enhancing battery performance and integrating more advanced features like detachable components for greater versatility.

7. Glossary

• 7-1. Steam Deck OLED [Product]

• The Steam Deck OLED is highly praised for its exceptional display quality and performance. It is a top choice among hybrid handheld gaming consoles but is critiqued for its higher price point.

• 7-2. ASUS ROG Ally [Product]

• The ASUS ROG Ally is known for its powerful processor and decent portability. It lacks detachable controllers, which may be a drawback for some users.

• 7-3. Lenovo Legion Go [Product]

• The Lenovo Legion Go stands out due to its large, high-resolution display, detachable controllers, and additional features like a touchpad on the controller. It is considered versatile and offers good performance-to-price value.

• 7-4. Retroid Pocket 4 Pro [Product]

• The Retroid Pocket 4 Pro is highlighted for its excellent portability, making it a good choice for gamers who value compactness and ease of transport.

8. Source Documents

• Games on the Go: The Best Handheld Gaming Console In 2024https://www.cravingtech.com/games-on-the-go-the-best-handheld-gaming-console-in-2024.html
• I review gaming hardware and this was my favorite non-Steam Deck handheld of 2023https://www.tomsguide.com/opinion/i-review-gaming-hardware-and-this-was-my-favorite-non-steam-deck-handheld-of-2023
• Lenovo Legion Go vs Asus ROG Ally: Which handheld gaming PC is better for you?https://www.xda-developers.com/lenovo-legion-go-vs-asus-rog-ally/