Android telephone vs. handheld gaming console: It isn't a simple resolution

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(Picture credit score: Nicholas Sutrich / Android Central)

Past the Alphabet is a weekly column that focuses on the tech world each inside and outside of the confines of Mountain View.

With the rise in recognition of gaming handhelds, you could be questioning as to which is healthier between your Android telephone vs. handheld gaming consoles. There are positively execs and cons to each, with various concerns and concessions to make.

As somebody who has been diving headfirst into the world of gaming handhelds, I’ve typically puzzled this query. For those who’re on the fence, I will do my greatest to try to break it right down to make your resolution just a bit bit simpler.

Causes to stay together with your Android telephone

ASUS ROG Phone 8 Pro review — (Picture credit score: Apoorva Bhardwaj / Android Central)

The obvious purpose why you would possibly wish to use an Android telephone for cell gaming is that, chances are high, you are studying this on one. The Play Retailer is stuffed with completely different retro emulators, to not point out being able to obtain remakes of authentic classics. Frankly, it is good having the ability to have a single gadget for all the things you want, particularly when you have a Samsung telephone, full with DeX.

This must also, not less than most often, take away issues about efficiency. There is a fairly good probability that the telephone you will have is already extra performant than any of the Android-based handheld consoles on the market. The one exception is the AYN Odin 2 and its Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 SoC, as the most recent Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 is barely now changing into extra broadly out there.

It additionally helps that there are a plethora of how to skip utilizing the touchscreen, because of the bevy of obtainable sport controllers. You may both pair it with one thing just like the 8BitDo Professional 2 or flip your telephone right into a Nintendo Swap with the likes of the GameSir X3. With this, you are not restricted to no matter kind issue the devoted handheld has.

Playing Minecraft on a Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 5 using a GameSir X2 controller

(Picture credit score: Nicholas Sutrich / Android Central)

Lastly, together with your telephone in tow, controller or not, you possibly can play just about no matter sport you need from wherever. Have a couple of minutes and wish to hearth up some Xbox Recreation Cross? Or perhaps you are away from house and wish to play some Cyberpunk with the assistance of GeForce Now.

You technically may do that with a handheld, supplied that you just’re keen to make use of your telephone as a cell hotspot. However that may simply find yourself draining your telephone’s battery, together with the hand held, and you will want a beefy transportable charger to maintain them each from operating out of juice.

Why you should not use your telephone

The back of the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra in the Titanium Grey colorway

There are two large causes that I feel you need to keep away from utilizing your telephone, the primary being that lots of the greatest Android telephones haven’t got expandable storage. It is nonetheless irritating realizing that you just’re caught with no matter storage choice you decide while you purchase the telephone. Thus, you may have to plan accordingly if you wish to have your telephone pull double-duty as a conveyable gaming handheld.

The opposite purpose comes right down to utilizing the touchscreen, because it’s fantastic doing so in a pinch, however not that nice on the subject of longer gaming classes. Some Android gaming telephones, just like the RedMagic 9 Professional, attempt to alleviate this with the assistance of digital shoulder triggers. Nonetheless, that is extra of an exception to the rule and never a function you are more likely to discover on many different telephones.

Plus, whereas it is nice having the ability to throw a controller in your bag, it is simply one thing else that you have to bear in mind to seize. And, in the event you go for a Bluetooth controller, you may have to be sure to bear in mind to cost it after your final gaming session away from house.

Causes to go along with a devoted gaming Android handheld console

Tears of the Kingdom on AYN Odin 2

(Picture credit score: Andrew Myrick / Android Central)

One thing I’ve come to like about having a devoted handheld console is that it lets me disconnect. Positive, I may set up the entire similar Android apps from my telephone, and in some circumstances, I do. However I haven’t got to fret about notifications getting in my means, folks calling me, or the rest that I must cope with on my telephone. Sure, I perceive that Do Not Disturb is a factor, however at that time, there is a fairly good probability that I am going to miss one thing vital.

One other factor that these gaming handhelds have of their favor is the inclusion of a microSD card slot. It isn’t like these units ship with 8GB of storage, however having the ability to put my whole library of ROMs onto a microSD card after which slap it in no matter handheld I am utilizing gives a degree of comfort you simply will not discover with most Android telephones.

Then there’s the story of ergonomics, and whereas it may appear higher to have your decide of what controller to make use of, it is simply not a necessity right here. As the recognition of those handhelds has risen, so has the assist from the neighborhood. So, in the event you have been to seize the AYN Odin 2 or Retroid Pocket, you will get a grip attachment, whether or not it is direct or by means of Etsy. Or, you may 3D print one your self in the event you’re so inclined.

Gran Turismo on Anbernic RG353V

(Picture credit score: Andrew Myrick / Android Central)

As for comfort, utilizing your telephone would possibly appear to be the higher alternative, as you possibly can simply take it out and play a sport whilst you’re in line. However having a devoted handheld implies that you will not have to fret about saving or dropping your progress when it is your flip in line or if you have to rapidly swap over to a distinct app.

In the identical vein as comfort and ergonomics, a devoted handheld removes the necessity to fear about mapping controls. Most of the greatest Android video games already function controller assist, and a handheld offers one natively. In lots of circumstances, you can also map on-screen controls to a bodily button while not having to change backwards and forwards between completely different apps.

Final however actually not least, there is a nostalgia issue to contemplate. Think about having the ability to re-live your childhood with a contemporary Recreation Boy just like the RG353V, with a vibrant display screen and twin thumb sticks. And in the event you go exterior the world of Android handhelds, there is a flourishing market of Linux-based choices which are even smaller and extra pocketable. So, whereas it is superior having the ability to have a lot energy in a tool like our telephone, typically, the nostalgia is simply too good to go up.

Why you should not seize a handheld console

Pimax Portal next to Pixel 8 Pro showing Android Easter Eggs

(Picture credit score: Andrew Myrick / Android Central)

As I alluded to earlier than, with just a few exceptions, you are not more likely to discover a handheld with as a lot energy as your telephone. Even the AYN Odin 2 has since been usurped by the Galaxy S24 Extremely and OnePlus 12 now that the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 is accessible. The overwhelming majority of Android handhelds both run processors which are vastly outdated or haven’t got sufficient “oomph” to play what you need.

One other consideration to make is the software program, even when it is operating Android. One instance of a possible frustration is what we noticed with the Pimax Portal, because it’s operating a customized model of Android 10. Due to this, paired with the restrictions of the Yuzu emulator, I could not play Swap video games till a modified model of the app was launched.

Even in the event you wished to make a journey down reminiscence lane with the RG353V, the Play Retailer is not instantly accessible out of the field. As a substitute, you may have to take a while to tinker with the software program to get all the things working. Is it price it in the long term? Undoubtedly. But it surely form of takes away from the attract of a “decide up and play” gadget.

Is there a “proper” or “mistaken” alternative?

Minecraft on Retroid Pocket 2S

(Picture credit score: Andrew Myrick / Android Central)

I am not going to sit down right here and let you know that you just want a devoted handheld console for gaming. It won’t be within the finances, or there could be too many compromises that you just’re not keen to concede.

So, no, there is no mistaken resolution right here, as the ability of Android offers us the flexibleness to rework just about any gadget right into a handheld console. It is only a matter of working inside the confines of the telephone you will have, whether or not it is not highly effective sufficient or ensuring you retain your storage good and tidy.