2025 was the year of handheld PC gaming, but it won’t get bigger until manufacturers fix some of these awful naming conventions

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I’ve done a lot of thinking about handheld gaming recently, especially over the holidays. I’ve realized it’s become how I play games most often, and this year felt like a turning point for the whole scene.

Honestly, I haven’t played handheld games this much since the Nintendo DS! The Steam Deck really got me hooked last year, and now with the Xbox ROG Ally X, it’s been the same story. I’ve gotten to the point where I barely even turn on my Xbox Series S anymore – I mostly leave that for the kids now!

I love how easily I can play games with family nearby, maybe while watching TV or just hanging out. Handheld consoles are perfect for squeezing in a few hours of gaming when life gets busy, without needing to go to another room. They fit into everyday life much better than a traditional console or PC for me.

2025 was a huge year for handheld gaming, with a ton of new devices hitting the market. The success of the Steam Deck led the way, followed by the release of the ROG Ally, several Lenovo models, and finally, the long-awaited Switch 2, which offered a significant performance boost.

It seemed like every month brought news of a new handheld gaming device, often touted as a rival to the Steam Deck. But honestly, nothing currently available truly competes with either the Nintendo Switch or the Steam Deck. The biggest issue? The way these devices are named is incredibly confusing and inconsistent.

The Switch is simple. Other gaming handhelds need to take note.

The Nintendo Switch, and the newly released Nintendo Switch 2, have been incredibly popular with a wide audience. Part of their success is how easy they are to understand – most people know what a Switch, Switch Lite, or Switch OLED is. The names themselves are clear and simple, meaning even people unfamiliar with technology can easily choose the right model.

Think about how easy it is to understand this compared to the current selection of PC handhelds. If you showed someone who doesn’t spend a lot of time online all the different options, they wouldn’t know which one is best. Even the Legion Go S comes in several versions with different processors, memory, storage, and even operating systems, and they all cost about the same.

SteamOS works great, but the Windows version isn’t as good (check out our reviews of both the Legion Go S and the SteamOS version to see the difference). It’s confusing for regular customers to understand these distinctions.

And then, there is Xbox

The Xbox Series S and X have different names to show they’re aimed at different customers, though some people find this two-tiered system a bit confusing. Generally, most understand the Series S is the more affordable option, while the Series X is the more powerful, premium model.

Why didn’t Xbox use a similar naming convention for the Xbox ROG Ally devices? Since the Ally X is the higher-end model, it would make sense for the white version to be called the Xbox Ally S, making the differences between them clearer and more consistent with the Xbox brand. Beyond the design, what actually distinguishes the ROG Ally X from the Xbox Ally X?

It’s worth remembering this is the same company that released multiple versions of the Xbox Elite controller – the original Elite, the Elite Series 2, and the Elite Series 2 Core.

Consumers shouldn’t need a spreadsheet to buy a gaming handheld, and right now, Steam Deck is doing the best

Most handheld gaming devices currently cost between $500 and $800, and people spending that much should ideally do some research beforehand. However, it’s a common issue that two devices with similar prices can have vastly different specs – one might have twice the memory, a faster processor, or a better operating system. Without significant research, it’s easy to miss these important differences.

That approach won’t help expand the market or compete with consoles like the Nintendo Switch. In fact, the Steam Deck is doing a much better job at that right now.

I recently got the Xbox ROG Ally X and I’m having fun with it. Being able to play games from more stores is a big plus, and it handles demanding games much better than my Steam Deck’s screen. However, I find myself constantly adjusting settings and dealing with updates – sometimes even in the middle of playing, which can cause me to lose my progress. I’m often having to fix things with it, which is something I rarely had to do with my Steam Deck.

SteamOS offers a console-like experience right away, something the Xbox Full Screen Experience still needs to improve on. The Steam Deck is also the most user-friendly gaming handheld available, designed for a wide range of players, not just tech experts. While many enthusiasts enjoy customizing their Steam Deck, it’s not necessary to enjoy it.

2025 was huge for handheld gaming, but 2026 will make or break it.

Handheld gaming saw major developments this year. Lenovo’s Steam Deck competitor launched, the long-awaited Switch 2 is arriving, and Xbox is working on improving Windows-based handheld experiences with its FSE software, though it’s still a work in progress. There’s also been a lot of debate about whether the ROG Ally is truly an Xbox device – but it isn’t, despite what some people think.

Handheld PCs have the potential to be as popular as the Nintendo Switch, but the industry needs to improve how it names and categorizes devices. Clearer marketing and explanations of what each device can do are also essential. There’s definitely a growing interest in handheld gaming, and it fits well with many people’s lifestyles, but customers need to understand exactly what they’re purchasing.

If you were thinking about getting a portable gaming device last year, did you end up buying one, or are you waiting to see what new options are released? Or maybe you’re not interested in handheld gaming at all! Share your thoughts in the comments and vote in the poll!

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2026-01-02 18:10