This year's gaming handheld war rages over premium hardware — but what we really need are weird and affordable devices

At CES 2026, Intel unveiled its next-gen Core Ultra Series 3 chips (Panther Lake) and its powerful ARC B390 graphics, which will challenge AMD's handheld dominance in what some are calling the handheld war.

Currently, AMD handheld SoCs (system on a chip) power most mainstream handhelds, including ASUS ROG Xbox Ally X, Legion Go 2 (Windows), the recently announced Legion Go 2 (SteamOS), and even the Steam Deck.

Sure, Intel and AMD can wage a handheld war over who can create the most powerful handheld processors, advancing premium portable gaming hardware to ever-increasing heights... and equally premium prices, too.

Thing is, we've already got so many flagship handhelds to choose from, and they're going to continue to get next-gen successors. If companies want their handhelds to really stand out going forward, they need to focus on innovation and affordability (as current events allow).

I'm talking about unique, fun, and perhaps even weird designs that offer new handheld experiences.

After all, it was a strange, never-before-seen, and relatively affordable design that launched the whole handheld gaming PC craze to begin with. These devices really haven't changed that much over the last few years, and most of them feel like the same blocky idea rehashed over and over again.

It's time for a change, and I have a few ideas I'd love to see in future gaming handhelds.

Surprising innovations and weird new designs are what launched the gaming handheld craze

Before I dive into the new features I want to see in future handhelds, let's do a refresher, discuss what launched the handheld craze. Feel free to skip to the next section if you already know all this.

While not a handheld gaming PC, the Nintendo Switch was an extremely innovative hybrid console when it launched in 2017, with its detachable controllers and ability to be played in handheld, tabletop, or docked mode.

It might not seem like it now, but this design was wildly different from anything people had seen before; many even thought it was a weirdly confusing device at the time, to the point that it took months before its genius was understood, and it really started to sell. It's now the third-best-selling console of all time, soon to be second-best (see Wikipedia).

If nothing else, Nintendo showed the world that AAA handheld gaming was now possible. Following its success, it didn't take long for other tech companies to imitate Nintendo's avant-garde design. AYANEO's first handheld launched in 2021, the Steam Deck launched in 2022, and then the ASUS ROG Ally, Legion Go, and several other devices followed in 2023 and beyond.

We need more innovations like this in 2026, preferably some ideas that seem crazy or weird now, but could become the new norm that other companies follow. As it stands, most of the gaming handhelds available today basically look and function the same.

That said, there are some companies out there trying new things. It's impossible to list them all, so I'll just give a few highlights.

Lenovo Legion Go and Legion Go 2 offer some of the most versatile designs of any handheld gaming PC, but they also took most of their ideas from Nintendo and Steam Deck, such as the detachable controllers and touchpad. Of course, Lenovo added a fingerprint reader as well as an FPS mode to the right controller that allows it to function a lot like a mouse, which was a cool new feature. But we need more of this innovation.

One company that really does experiment with different handheld designs is AYANEO. Among the prolific company's devices are a dual-screen handheld and even a handheld with a full keyboard that slides from under the screen (as seen in my AYANEO Slide review). It's incredibly convenient for interacting with certain games that don't play nice with the on-screen keyboard.

Focusing on "unique" and "weird" designs like this that surprise and delight us could be just what handhelds need to keep them relevant and appealing in 2026. Otherwise, they threaten to become a stagnant category that loses momentum only to become a passing fad.

I'm talking crazy new ideas we haven't seen yet, or even a return to nostalgic designs that people already love — in short, we've gotten enough premium handhelds to choose from already, now what we need is more fun and unique options that focus more on new features, true portability, affordability, and casual gaming.

I'll discuss some ideas I'd love to see in future handheld gaming PCs, and I'd love to hear any ideas you might have in the comments.

Bring back small clamshells — they're nostalgic, convenient, and actually portable

If you're a chronically online kind of person or a nostalgic tech junkie, you've probably seen that the Nintendo 3DS gaming systems of old have once more exploded in popularity.

This is sort of wild considering the retro handheld launched way back in 2011 and was discontinued in 2020. Since 3DS handhelds are no longer in production, the prices for these nostalgic devices have soared to ridiculously high levels at places like eBay and Facebook Marketplace, selling up to 76% higher than their original retail values (thanks, Tom's Hardware).

I could discuss at length what makes these gaming systems so appealing, but suffice it to say that some of the aspects of these nostalgic devices are well-suited for new Windows and SteamOS handheld gaming PCs, as illustrated by the dual-screen clamshell handheld concept images I put together in Photoshop (see above).

Take the dual screens for starters, having two displays makes it easier to multitask between two programs. You could even watch a YouTube game guide on one display while playing a game on the other.

Then there's the compact clamshell design. This casing is self-protecting since it closes in on itself to shield the dual screens, joysticks, and buttons. That, combined with its smaller size, makes it easier to slip into your pocket or travel somewhere without needing a special carrying case or bag.

The majority of handheld gaming PCs today are massive in comparison; I'm constantly worried my handhelds will get damaged when I travel. It would be great to see some smaller designs like this that are actually, truly portable and better protected.

To be fair, AYANEO does offer a clamshell Windows handheld (as seen in my AYANEO Flip DS review), but it is rather expensive. Ideally, we'd have more options out there at different price points, which brings me to my next topic.

We need more low-cost handhelds designed for casual gaming, not just afterthoughts

As I said before, the plethora of premium gaming handhelds currently on the market doesn't leave us wanting for choices. However, casual gamers and people who prefer to play less intensive pixel art titles (like Little Witch in the Woods, Witchbrook, Stardew Valley, etc.) do need more budget-friendly, casual handhelds to choose from.

Now, there are some lower-priced devices already out there, but some of them honestly feel like more of an afterthought or catchall for those who don't want to spend as much for a company's flagship handheld. What we need are perfectly engineered entry-level devices specifically designed for casual gaming and low pricing.

That said, I do love ASUS ROG's latest entry-level handheld, as seen in my Xbox Ally review. The problem is that it has a relatively high starting price of $599.99, and ASUS has already announced that ROG handheld prices are going up in 2026. So, that takes it out of the budget-friendly category.

Of course, the beloved Steam Deck has held the crown as budget king for years now, but with Valve no longer producing the entry-level Steam Deck LCD ($399), the entry point for handheld gaming PCs has gone up to $549 for the starting Steam Deck OLED, and gamer wallets aren't happy about it.

Now is the perfect time for one of the big OEMs (ASUS, Lenovo, etc.) to design a Windows or SteamOS handheld gaming PC using reliable, lower-tier internals to take the Steam Deck LCD's place as the perfect budget handheld — preferably something that sells for around $300. But as much as I want this, it looks highly unlikely that this will happen in 2026, at least, not at that low of a price.

For one thing, companies often prefer to create premium gaming hardware because those devices are more likely to offer a bigger ROI (return on investment). Secondly, Valve might have been more willing to sell its hardware at a loss because it helps bring people into its game store ecosystem, where it can make more money over time, but most OEMs don't have that connection. Thirdly, there are global issues (see below) driving tech prices higher this year. But you could argue that all of these things also make the idea of budget handheld gaming PCs even more appealing in 2026.

⚠️ REALITY CHECK: Between the ongoing US-China tariff situation (where most handheld hardware is made), RAM price increases, and the GPU shortage, it's looking like all tech is going to get more expensive this year unless something changes.

More crazy (and not-so-crazy) handheld ideas

Of course, just because someone can think up an idea or create a visual concept for a new handheld design doesn't mean it can actually be implemented. Not only does the hardware need to fit, but it needs to work efficiently, or else these designs fall flat.

Still, here are some of my own crazy and not-so-crazy ideas I'd love to see in future handhelds, once the tech is feasible and affordable:

• Smaller, truly portable handhelds that don't take up a lot of room
• A handheld where the actual computer is a keyboard (like HP EliteBoard G1a) with controllers that attach to a screen
• Alternatively, a handheld that comes with a carrying case that has a built-in keyboard and touchpad
• A fingerprint reader on the grip for convenient login that requires minimal movement
• Magnetic modular handhelds for swappable parts and maximum customization
• A dual-screen handheld where one display attaches to the other magnetically
• Rollable, expanding display (like Lenovo ThinkBook Plus Rollable proof of concept)
• A handheld that is technically a controller connected to AR glasses (like ROG XREAL R1)
• A built-in height-adjustable kickstand that can tilt and pivot
• Support for handwriting recognition and an included tiny stylus that can be used like a mouse, so a keyboard isn't needed
  • Bonus points if the stylus is magnetic or there's a stylus slot on the handheld
• Wireless charging support (we're a long way off from this one; gaming takes a lot of power)
• A physical button or dial for adjusting screen brightness

Also, can we get some color, please? The vast majority of handheld gaming PCs on the market right now are either white or black (or a deep purple that looks like black), with one notable exception being the MSI Claw 8 AI+ Glacier Blue Edition.

We really need to see portable gaming devices in vibrant hues or the nostalgic transparent purples and blues from the 2000s.

Focusing more on innovation and affordability will help handhelds stand out in 2026

Gaming handheld PCs have been around for a few years now, inspired by the original Nintendo Switch, which launched nine years ago, and then the Steam Deck, which is going to hit its fourth year next month. Now we have an overabundance of premium handhelds on the market.

Intel and AMD will continue to battle for the most powerful options, but innovation outside of the hardware is also needed to keep the handheld market from going stagnant.

Specifically, surprising new features will continue to keep these devices relevant and appealing, and companies also need a greater focus on budget-friendly options to meet consumer needs.

When it comes to future handheld gaming PCs, are you more interested in affordability, portability, innovation, premium performance, or comfort? What innovative new features would you like handhelds to have? Let's discuss in the comments.

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