Beyond the Alphabet
Beyond the Alphabet is a weekly column that focuses on the tech world each in and out of the confines of Mountain View.
With the rise in recognition of gaming handhelds, you is likely to be questioning as to which is best between your Android phone vs. handheld gaming consoles. There are undoubtedly professionals 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 questioned this query. If you are on the fence, I’m going to do my finest to try to break it right down to make your decision just a bit bit simpler.
Reasons to stay together with your Android phone
The most evident cause why you may need to use an Android phone for cellular gaming is that, likelihood is, you are studying this on one. The Play Store is filled with completely different retro emulators, not to say being able to obtain remakes of unique classics. Frankly, it is good with the ability to have a single machine for every part you want, particularly in case you have a Samsung phone, full with DeX.
This also needs to, at the very least typically, take away considerations about efficiency. There’s a fairly good probability that the phone you may have is already extra performant than any of the Android-based handheld consoles on the market. The solely exception is the AYN Odin 2 and its Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 SoC, as the most recent Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 is just now changing into extra extensively out there.
It additionally helps that there are a plethora of the way to skip utilizing the touchscreen, due to the bevy of accessible sport controllers. You can both pair it with one thing just like the 8BitDo Pro 2 or flip your phone right into a Nintendo Switch with the likes of the GameSir X3. With this, you are not restricted to no matter type issue the devoted handheld has.
Lastly, together with your phone in tow, controller or not, you may play just about no matter sport you need from wherever. Have a couple of minutes and need to hearth up some Xbox Game Pass? Or perhaps you are away from house and need to play some Cyberpunk with the assistance of GeForce Now.
You technically may do that with a handheld, supplied that you simply’re prepared to make use of your phone as a cellular hotspot. But that may simply find yourself draining your phone’s battery, together with the handheld, and you may want a beefy moveable charger to maintain them each from working out of juice.
Why you should not use your phone
There are two huge causes that I feel you need to keep away from utilizing your phone, the primary being that most of the finest Android telephones haven’t got expandable storage. It’s nonetheless irritating understanding that you simply’re caught with no matter storage choice you decide if you purchase the phone. Thus, you may must plan accordingly if you wish to have your phone pull double-duty as a transportable gaming handheld.
The different cause comes right down to utilizing the touchscreen, because it’s wonderful doing so in a pinch, however not that nice relating to longer gaming periods. Some Android gaming telephones, just like the RedMagic 9 Pro, attempt to alleviate this with the assistance of digital shoulder triggers. However, that is extra of an exception to the rule and not a characteristic you are prone to discover on many different telephones.
Plus, whereas it is nice with the ability to throw a controller in your bag, it is simply one thing else that it’s essential to keep in mind to seize. And, in the event you go for a Bluetooth controller, you may must ensure you keep in mind to cost it after your final gaming session away from house.
Reasons to go together with a devoted gaming Android handheld console
Something I’ve come to like about having a devoted handheld console is that it lets me disconnect. Sure, I may set up all the similar Android apps from my phone, and in some instances, I do. But I haven’t got to fret about notifications getting in my manner, folks calling me, or the rest that I must cope with on my phone. Yes, I perceive that Do Not Disturb is a factor, however at that time, there is a fairly good probability that I’ll miss one thing essential.
Another factor that these gaming handhelds have of their favor is the inclusion of a microSD card slot. It’s not like these units ship with 8GB of storage, however with the ability to put my whole library of ROMs onto a microSD card after which slap it in no matter handheld I’m utilizing provides a degree of comfort you simply will not discover with most Android telephones.
Then there’s the story of ergonomics, and whereas it might sound 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 group. 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 can 3D print one your self in the event you’re so inclined.
As for comfort, utilizing your phone may appear to be the higher alternative, as you may simply take it out and play a sport when you’re in line. But having a devoted handheld signifies that you will not have to fret about saving or dropping your progress when it is your flip in line or if it’s essential to shortly change over to a distinct app.
In the identical vein as comfort and ergonomics, a devoted handheld removes the necessity to fear about mapping controls. Many of the very best Android video games already characteristic controller assist, and a handheld gives one natively. In many instances, you can also map on-screen controls to a bodily button while not having to modify backwards and forwards between completely different apps.
Last however definitely not least, there is a nostalgia issue to think about. Imagine with the ability to re-live your childhood with a contemporary Game Boy just like the RG353V, with a vibrant display screen and twin thumb sticks. And in the event you go outdoors the world of Android handhelds, there is a flourishing market of Linux-based choices which can be even smaller and extra pocketable. So, whereas it is superior with the ability to have a lot energy in a tool like our phone, generally, the nostalgia is simply too good to go up.
Why you should not seize a handheld console
As I alluded to earlier than, with just a few exceptions, you are not prone to discover a handheld with as a lot energy as your phone. Even the AYN Odin 2 has since been usurped by the Galaxy S24 Ultra and OnePlus 12 now that the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 is offered. The overwhelming majority of Android handhelds both run processors which can be vastly outdated or haven’t got sufficient “oomph” to play what you need.
Another consideration to make is the software program, even when it is working Android. One instance of a possible frustration is what we noticed with the Pimax Portal, because it’s working a customized model of Android 10. Because of this, paired with the restrictions of the Yuzu emulator, I could not play Switch video games till a modified model of the app was launched.
Even in the event you needed to make a journey down reminiscence lane with the RG353V, the Play Store is not instantly accessible out of the field. Instead, you may must take a while to tinker with the software program to get every part working. Is it value it in the long term? Definitely. But it form of takes away from the attract of a “decide up and play” machine.
Is there a “proper” or “incorrect” alternative?
I’m not going to sit down right here and let you know that you simply want a devoted handheld console for gaming. It may not be within the price range, or there is likely to be too many compromises that you simply’re not prepared to concede.
So, no, there is not any incorrect decision right here, as the facility of Android provides us the flexibleness to rework just about any machine right into a handheld console. It’s only a matter of working throughout the confines of the phone you may have, whether or not it is not highly effective sufficient or ensuring you retain your storage good and tidy.