Best hand-held gaming console 2024

Nintendo Switch: It is a hybrid console that can be played both on-the-go and at home. It features a detachable Joy-Con controller that has versatile usage in both single-player and multiplayer games, making it a unique device.

Steam Deck: It is actually a handheld gaming PC. It allows you to play PC games on the go, similar to Switch and Ally. It runs on Valve’s Steam operating system, which makes it unique.

ROG Ally: This handheld console is developed by Asus, which is popular for its gaming machines like laptops. This device is a powerful PC that runs on Windows 11 Home, making it different from its other rivals.

Comparing these consoles on 7 parameters:

Processor: The Asus ROG Ally has the most powerful processor compared to both the Switch and Steam Deck, making it more powerful.
Graphics: There is the same case in graphics as well; Asus has the latest APU, giving it an upper hand.
Display: Here the story changes as the Steam Deck has the biggest display, but the Ally has the highest refresh rates and brightest screen, whereas the Switch offers the unique feature of a detachable screen, so it can only be evaluated based on an individual’s usage.
Storage: Steam Deck bags a point here for having the maximum variety in storage.
RAM: Both Ally and Steam Deck have equal 16GB LPDDR5 RAM, making them far superior to Nintendo’s 4GB LPDDR4 RAM.
Weight: The switch is the lightest of all, making it very convenient to use.
Games: Last but not most important of all are the games that can be played on these consoles. Nintendo is only and only preferable if a person wants to play Nintendo’s exclusive titles like Mario and Pokémon series, but other than that, Nintendo has a very small library of PC AAA titles, making it suitable for a selective audience. Talking about Ally and Deck, they both can manage modern games decently, but their performance varies from game to game.

So, what is the conclusion? It simply depends on personal preference because a single factor might determine a person’s decision.

But my personal suggestion is to wait for the new iPhone 16 series, as the A17 chipset in the 15 Pro and Pro Max gives almost similar performance to these gaming consoles, and moreover, it is a primary multipurpose device with a much better display.

Recently, several AAA titles like Resident Evil Village are being added to the App Store, and the number of iOS-developed games will definitely increase. Moreover, the A18 chipset will definitely be more powerful and capable than the A17, which means it might outperform these consoles.