Past the Alphabet
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 cellphone vs. handheld gaming consoles. There are undoubtedly execs and cons to each, with various issues and concessions to make.
As somebody who has been diving headfirst into the world of gaming handhelds, I’ve usually questioned this query. In the event you’re on the fence, I’ll do my finest to try to break it right down to make your resolution just a bit bit simpler.
Causes to stay together with your Android cellphone
The obvious purpose why you may need to use an Android cellphone for cell gaming is that, likelihood is, you are studying this on one. The Play Retailer is filled with totally different retro emulators, to not point out being able to obtain remakes of authentic classics. Frankly, it is good with the ability to have a single machine for the whole lot you want, particularly when you have a Samsung cellphone, full with DeX.
This must also, no less than usually, take away considerations about efficiency. There is a fairly good probability that the cellphone you’ve gotten 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 just now turning into extra broadly out there.
It additionally helps that there are a plethora of the way to skip utilizing the touchscreen, because of the bevy of obtainable recreation controllers. You’ll be able to both pair it with one thing just like the 8BitDo Professional 2 or flip your cellphone 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.
Lastly, together with your cellphone in tow, controller or not, you’ll be able to play just about no matter recreation you need from wherever. Have a couple of minutes and need to hearth up some Xbox Recreation Move? Or possibly 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 cellphone as a cell hotspot. However that can simply find yourself draining your cellphone’s battery, together with the hand held, and you may want a beefy moveable charger to maintain them each from working out of juice.
Why you should not use your cellphone
There are two large causes that I believe it is best to keep away from utilizing your cellphone, the primary being that most of the finest Android telephones haven’t got expandable storage. It is nonetheless irritating understanding that you simply’re caught with no matter storage choice you decide while you purchase the cellphone. Thus, you will have to plan accordingly if you wish to have your cellphone pull double-duty as a transportable gaming handheld.
The opposite purpose comes right down to utilizing the touchscreen, because it’s advantageous doing so in a pinch, however not that nice in terms 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. Nevertheless, that is extra of an exception to the rule and never 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 you could bear in mind to seize. And, in the event you go for a Bluetooth controller, you will have to ensure you bear in mind to cost it after your final gaming session away from house.
Causes to go together with a devoted gaming Android handheld console
One thing I’ve come to like about having a devoted handheld console is that it lets me disconnect. Positive, I may set up all the identical Android apps from my cellphone, and in some circumstances, I do. However I haven’t got to fret about notifications getting in my method, folks calling me, or the rest that I must cope with on my cellphone. Sure, I perceive that Do Not Disturb is a factor, however at that time, there is a fairly good probability that I will miss one thing necessary.
One other factor that these gaming handhelds have of their favor is the inclusion of a microSD card slot. It isn’t like these gadgets 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 am utilizing presents a stage 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 had been to seize the AYN Odin 2 or Retroid Pocket, you may get a grip attachment, whether or not it is direct or via Etsy. Or, you could possibly 3D print one your self in the event you’re so inclined.
As for comfort, utilizing your cellphone may seem to be the higher alternative, as you’ll be able to simply take it out and play a recreation when 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 could 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 finest Android video games already characteristic controller assist, and a handheld gives one natively. In lots of circumstances, you can also map on-screen controls to a bodily button without having to change backwards and forwards between totally different apps.
Final however definitely not least, there is a nostalgia issue to contemplate. Think about with the ability to re-live your childhood with a contemporary Recreation Boy just like the RG353V, with a vibrant display 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 with the ability to have a lot energy in a tool like our cellphone, 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 a couple of exceptions, you are not prone to discover a handheld with as a lot energy as your cellphone. 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 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. 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 needed to make a journey down reminiscence lane with the RG353V, the Play Retailer is not instantly accessible out of the field. As an alternative, you will have to take a while to tinker with the software program to get the whole lot working. Is it price it in the long term? Positively. However it form of takes away from the attract of a “decide up and play” machine.
Is there a “proper” or “unsuitable” alternative?
I am 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 funds, or there could be too many compromises that you simply’re not prepared to concede.
So, no, there isn’t any unsuitable resolution right here, as the ability of Android offers us the flexibleness to remodel just about any machine right into a handheld console. It is only a matter of working throughout the confines of the cellphone you’ve gotten, whether or not it isn’t highly effective sufficient or ensuring you retain your storage good and tidy.
