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The Evolution and Comparison of Handheld Gaming Consoles in 2023-2024

GOOVER DAILY REPORT July 11, 2024
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TABLE OF CONTENTS

  1. Summary
  2. Overview of Major Handheld Gaming Consoles in 2024
  3. Detailed Review of Lenovo Legion Go as of 2023
  4. Comparison: Lenovo Legion Go vs. ASUS ROG Ally
  5. Conclusion

1. Summary

  • This report examines the leading handheld gaming consoles of 2023-2024, focusing on major brands such as Nintendo, ASUS, Lenovo, and PlayStation. It delves into the features, strengths, and weaknesses of prominent models including the Steam Deck, Nintendo Switch, ASUS ROG Ally, and Lenovo Legion Go. Particular emphasis is placed on comparing the Lenovo Legion Go and ASUS ROG Ally in terms of performance, display quality, and unique features, providing gamers with detailed insights to help them make well-informed decisions. The Lenovo Legion Go stands out with its large display and detachable controllers, while the ASUS ROG Ally is noted for its robust processing power and smoother gameplay experience.

2. Overview of Major Handheld Gaming Consoles in 2024

  • 2-1. Industry Dominance by Major Brands

  • The handheld gaming industry in 2024 features significant contributions from major brands such as Nintendo, ASUS, Lenovo, and PlayStation. The initial revolution in handheld gaming began with the Nintendo Switch and has since attracted entries from other big names in the video game industry. Each of these brands has designed consoles with key differentiators to compete in a diverse and rapidly evolving market.

  • 2-2. Key Features of Leading Consoles

  • The leading handheld gaming consoles of 2024 display a variety of advanced features tailored to different gamer preferences and needs. Key highlights include: 1. **Steam Deck**: Equipped with a powerful 4-core Zen 2 processor, 16GB RAM, 512GB built-in storage, and a 7.4-inch, 800p HD+ OLED display with HDR. The console supports a refresh rate of up to 90Hz, WiFi 6, Bluetooth v5.3, and video outputs of up to 8K@60Hz or 4K@120Hz. Pros include its compatibility with AAA PC games and built-in MicroSD slot, while cons involve its higher price and lack of built-in NFC. 2. **Nintendo Switch OLED**: This budget-friendly console comes with a Tegra X1+ chip, detachable controllers, and three gaming modes (handheld, tabletop, docked). It has an OLED display for vibrant graphics and built-in NFC for amiibos. Pros include a free dock, MicroSD slot, and sturdy kickstand. Cons touch on its struggle with AAA PC games and lower video output specs when docked. 3. **ASUS ROG Ally**: Featuring an 8-core Ryzen Z1 Extreme processor, 16 threads, and 8.6 Teraflops of processing power, the ROG Ally includes a 1080p@120Hz display, Windows 11 system, WiFi 6E compatibility, Bluetooth v5.2, and built-in ROG XG Mobile. Pros highlight its powerful performance and smooth handling of AAA games, while cons include less than desired battery life and lack of built-in trackpads. 4. **Lenovo Legion Go**: Debuted in late 2023, it combines the 8-core Ryzen Z1 Extreme processor, 8.8-inch QHD+ display at 144Hz, detachable controllers, WiFi 6E, Bluetooth v5.2, and built-in trackpad. Pros emphasize its powerful specs and versatility, with cons pointing to its bulkiness and lack of a dock station.

  • 2-3. Comparative Analysis of Steam Deck, Nintendo Switch, ASUS ROG Ally, and Lenovo Legion Go

  • 1. **Performance**: The ASUS ROG Ally and Lenovo Legion Go both use the Ryzen Z1 Extreme processor, positioning them as top performers for AAA games, surpassing the Steam Deck with its 4-core Zen 2 processor, and the Nintendo Switch using the older Tegra X1+ chip. 2. **Display Quality**: The Lenovo Legion Go leads with an 8.8-inch QHD+ display at 144Hz, followed by the ASUS ROG Ally with a 1080p@120Hz display. The Steam Deck offers an 800p HD+ OLED display, while the Nintendo Switch OLED boasts an OLED screen but at a lower resolution. 3. **Unique Features**: Steam Deck emphasizes versatility with its built-in trackpads for mouse emulation and high video output capabilities. Nintendo Switch focuses on modes of play and built-in NFC for amiibos. ASUS ROG Ally features the ROG XG Mobile for external GPUs, while Lenovo Legion Go combines features such as detachable controllers and trackpad, providing a hybrid experience akin to both NVIDIA Switch and traditional gaming PCs.

3. Detailed Review of Lenovo Legion Go as of 2023

  • 3-1. Highlight of Lenovo Legion Go's Unique Features

  • The Lenovo Legion Go stands out in the crowded handheld gaming console market due to several unique features. One of the prominent aspects is its large 8.8-inch display, which surpasses the 7-inch displays of its competitors like the Steam Deck and ASUS ROG Ally. The display boasts a resolution of 2,560 x 1,600 and a 144Hz refresh rate, delivering vibrant colors and sharp details in games like Cyberpunk 2077 and Doom Eternal. However, it should be noted that the display, while impressive, is not OLED. Additionally, the Legion Go is equipped with detachable controllers, a feature that offers flexibility even though it has received criticism for being difficult to detach and for the right controller's subpar performance when used as a pseudo mouse. Furthermore, the device includes a built-in kickstand that covers its entire backside, ensuring stability and providing an alternative way to play.

  • 3-2. Competition with Steam Deck OLED

  • In 2023, the Lenovo Legion Go, along with the ASUS ROG Ally, posed significant competition to the Steam Deck OLED. Despite neither device managing to surpass the Steam Deck OLED in overall dominance, they were considered worthy alternatives. The Steam Deck OLED remains a benchmark for handheld gaming consoles, but the Lenovo Legion Go, with its unique features like an 8.8-inch display and detachable controllers, has garnered attention. Performance-wise, the Legion Go's display performs admirably, though its brightness of 476 nits falls slightly short of the advertised 500 nits. Color accuracy and saturation are strong points, with the display achieving 151.8% of the sRGB color gamut and 107.5% of the DCI-P3 color space.

  • 3-3. Customization and User Experience

  • The Lenovo Legion Go offers a highly customizable user experience, thanks to its Windows 11 operating system. This allows users to run any Windows-compatible game or program. The built-in Legion Go launcher is intuitive, allowing users to quickly access their games and connect to various gaming services such as Xbox, Epic Games, and Steam. The settings menu offers extensive customization options for performance mode, display resolution, refresh rate, and controller mapping, further enhancing the user experience. Additionally, the device's wide kickstand ensures stable placement on flat surfaces, making it more convenient for extended gaming sessions.

4. Comparison: Lenovo Legion Go vs. ASUS ROG Ally

  • 4-1. Screen and Display Quality

  • The Lenovo Legion Go boasts a giant 8.8-inch display with a 16:10 aspect ratio, Quad HD+ (2560x1600) resolution, and a 144Hz refresh rate. It also supports 97% DCI-P3 color gamut and a maximum brightness of 500 nits. On the other hand, the ASUS ROG Ally features a smaller 7-inch IPS touch display with Full HD (1920x1080) resolution and a 120Hz refresh rate, supporting 80% DCI-P3 color accuracy. While the Legion Go offers a higher resolution and refresh rate, it might have a negative impact on battery life. The ROG Ally's lower resolution is more suitable for better gameplay settings and portability.

  • 4-2. Performance and Hardware Specifications

  • Both handhelds run on Windows 11 and are powered by AMD Ryzen Z1 series processors, specifically the Ryzen Z1 Extreme with 8 cores and 16 threads. The Legion Go distinguishes itself by using LPDDR5x RAM that is more battery-efficient and higher bandwidth compared to the ROG Ally. The ASUS ROG Ally comes with up to 512GB PCIe 4.0 NVMe M.2 2230 SSD storage, while the Legion Go offers up to 1TB PCIe 4.0 NVMe M.2 2242 SSD storage. Performance on both systems should be on par with laptops using Intel i7-10750H and GTX 1650, capable of running games like Grand Theft Auto V and Hades at medium to low settings.

  • 4-3. Price and Availability

  • As per the data, the ASUS ROG Ally is available for purchase at $700 in the U.S. for the high-end model with AMD Ryzen Z1 Extreme and 512GB of SSD storage. A lower-end model starting at $600 is announced but not yet available. The Lenovo Legion Go, set to start at $700, is not yet available for sale. It is expected to have configurations with Ryzen Z1 CPU, 16GB RAM, and 256GB of storage, potentially offering higher-end models with Ryzen Z1 Extreme and storage options up to 1TB.

  • 4-4. Overall Versatility and Features

  • The Lenovo Legion Go offers more versatility with its detachable controllers, which can be used as a mouse, similar to the Nintendo Switch. The right controller can be utilized in FPS mode due to its optical sensor. The controllers also feature Hall sensors for the thumbstick and RGB lighting. Meanwhile, the ASUS ROG Ally has built-in controllers and is more compact and portable. The Legion Go comes with additional features such as a trackpad, mouse wheel, and high-customizability with RGB lighting. Comparatively, the ROG Ally's simpler design might appeal to those needing a portable and straightforward gaming system.

5. Conclusion

  • The handheld gaming console market in 2023-2024 is marked by rapid innovation and heightened competition, particularly from brands like Nintendo, ASUS, and Lenovo. The report underscores the exceptional performance and distinctive features of consoles such as the Steam Deck and Lenovo Legion Go, noting their appeal to diverse gamer profiles. Despite the dominance of the Steam Deck OLED, both the Lenovo Legion Go and ASUS ROG Ally are distinguished by their superior display quality and versatility, making them formidable alternatives. Limitations include higher costs and varying battery life, prompting future research into emerging technologies and shifting consumer preferences in the handheld gaming space. Proactively understanding these trends will be crucial for potential buyers wanting to navigate this dynamic market effectively.

6. Glossary

  • 6-1. Steam Deck [Product]

  • A powerful handheld gaming console known for its OLED display and wide game compatibility. It stands out for its performance but comes at a higher price point.

  • 6-2. Nintendo Switch [Product]

  • A popular budget-friendly handheld console with decent features and performance, making it accessible for a broader audience.

  • 6-3. ASUS ROG Ally [Product]

  • Known for its powerful processor and display, providing a great gaming experience with a Full HD screen and a 120Hz refresh rate.

  • 6-4. Lenovo Legion Go [Product]

  • Features an 8.8-inch display, detachable controllers, and extensive customization options. It offers Windows 11 compatibility and is praised for its impressive display and innovative controller use.

7. Source Documents