The 5 Best Gaming Handhelds to Buy in 2025: Next-Gen Portable Power

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Introduction

As of January 2025, the handheld gaming market has evolved significantly, offering a diverse array of devices that cater to various gaming preferences and needs. Whether you're seeking high performance, portability, or a blend of both, there's a handheld console designed to enhance your gaming experience. Here are the top five gaming handhelds to consider this year:

Whether you're seeking high performance, portability, or a blend of both, there's a handheld console designed to enhance your gaming experience

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1. Nintendo Switch 2

Building upon the success of its predecessor, the Nintendo Switch 2 retains the hybrid design, allowing seamless transition between handheld and docked modes. It features a larger, more vibrant display and redesigned Joy-Cons, available in black and pink, and black and blue color schemes. Backward compatibility ensures access to an extensive library of original Switch games, and the announcement of a new Mario Kart title has generated significant excitement. The Switch 2 is poised to continue Nintendo's legacy of delivering engaging and family-friendly gaming experiences.

2025 is the year for the Nintendo switch 2 release.

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2. Steam Deck OLED

Valve's Steam Deck OLED enhances the original model with a stunning 7.4-inch OLED display, offering richer colors and improved contrast. The device provides better battery life and runs quietly, maintaining a cool temperature during extended gaming sessions. While the APU performance remains unchanged, the Steam Deck OLED delivers a compelling portable gaming experience, especially for those invested in the Steam ecosystem.

Valve's Steam Deck OLED enhances the original model with a stunning 7.4-inch OLED display

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3. Asus ROG Ally X

For gamers seeking a Windows-based handheld, the Asus ROG Ally X stands out with its powerful AMD Ryzen Z1 Extreme processor and 24GB of LPDDR5-6400 RAM. The 7-inch 1080p display supports a 120Hz refresh rate, ensuring smooth visuals. Improvements over the original ROG Ally include a larger 80Wh battery and a 1TB PCIe 4.0 M.2 2280 SSD, enhancing both longevity and storage capacity. The device's ergonomic design ensures comfort during extended play, making it a top choice for performance enthusiasts.

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The device's ergonomic design ensures comfort during extended play, making it a top choice for performance enthusiasts.

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4. Lenovo Legion Go

The Lenovo Legion Go caters to those desiring a larger display, featuring an 8.8-inch QHD touchscreen with a 144Hz refresh rate. Powered by AMD's Ryzen Z1 Extreme processor and equipped with 16GB of LPDDR5X RAM, it delivers robust performance. Unique features include detachable controllers, reminiscent of the Nintendo Switch, and a kickstand for tabletop gaming. While its size makes it less portable than other options, the Legion Go offers an immersive gaming experience for those prioritizing screen real estate.

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While its size makes it less portable than other options, the Legion Go offers an immersive gaming experience for those prioritizing screen real estate.

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5. Ayaneo Flip DS

The Ayaneo Flip DS is a compact handheld that doesn't compromise on performance. It boasts a dual-screen setup, with a 7-inch primary display and a 3.5-inch secondary screen, facilitating easy desktop navigation. Powered by an AMD Ryzen 7 8840U processor and offering configurations up to 64GB of RAM, it handles modern games with ease. Its clamshell design enhances portability and protects the screens during transit, making it an excellent choice for gamers on the go.

Its clamshell design enhances portability and protects the screens during transit, making it an excellent choice for gamers on the go.

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conclusion

2025 presents a variety of handheld gaming devices tailored to different preferences. Whether you prioritize exclusive titles, performance, display quality, or portability, there's a handheld console to meet your gaming needs.