OneXPlayer 2 Gaming Handheld with Joy-Con Style Removable Controllers Competes with Steam Deck
OneXPlayer unveils a new gaming handheld, the OneXPlayer 2, which features unique removable controllers and it may be a threat to the Steam Deck.
By: Sarah Fields
The Steam Deck has taken portable gaming to a new level, but it may have a new competitor in the OneXPlayer 2 handheld gaming device with Nintendo Joy-Con-like controllers. The device packs significant power and is more flexible than other portable PC gaming devices on the market at this time, which may set it apart from the competition.
The Steam Deck is Valve's attempt to corner the portable gaming market, with a Nintendo Switch-like handheld capable of playing PC games. The device is more powerful than the Switch, but has certain drawbacks, like its weight and limited battery life. However, the Steam Deck has been a massive success for Valve thus far, so it's no wonder that other companies are attempting to compete.
The OneXPlayer 2 handheld gaming device has been officially revealed. The handheld features a 8.4-inch screen, a full 1.4 inches bigger than the Steam Deck's, a AMD Ryzen 7 6800U CPU, and Radeon 680M GPU. The Deck features a base 16 GB of RAM, but the OneXPlayer2 has multiple options of 16GB or 32GB of RAM. Maximum built-in storage on the Deck is limited to 512GB (with the ability to expand further via a microSD card), while the OneXPlayer 2 has 512GB, 1TB, and 2 TB storage options. The resolution is a stunning 2560 x 1600, leaving the Deck's 1280 x 800 display in its dust.
Both the Steam Deck and the OneXPlayer 2 feature a kickstand and expandable memory, but one of the most interesting features on the OneXPlayer 2 is the ability to remove its controllers and use them separately from the unit, like players can on the Switch with its included Joy-Cons. With a larger screen, it makes sense to include removable controllers, as holding a large device for long periods of time can be uncomfortable for some users.
At this time, the OneXPlayer 2 isn't available for purchase, as it's entering the crowdfunding phase. On December 20 the product will launch on IndieGogo, and if the campaign performs as well as the company hopes, then the product will start shipping in March and April of 2023. Valve has resolved many of its supply issues, and is shipping the Steam Deck at a steady rate now, so players will have to decide whether they want a portable PC gaming device ASAP or are willing to wait for a more powerful system.
While most PC gamers likely still stick to their computers for long-running gaming sessions, it's clear that portable PC gaming is becoming more popular as the technology progresses. The OneXPlayer 2 isn't the first competitor of the Steam Deck to be revealed, and it certainly won't be the last.
