I generally like using the Peak Design backpack, except that bringing it on vacations means that I have to leave my handheld(s) at home. It's not wide enough to accommodate even the original Switch once things are stuffed into its side pockets. The Vortex 1.0, on the other hand, let me bring both my Switch 2 and Steam Deck, thanks to its two dedicated handheld sleeves. It's also wider and taller, which means its top zipper compartment can hold a 16-inch laptop and a tablet.
Ayaneo has been on top of its game lately with handhelds that serve every type of gamer who loves the freedom of mobility while gaming. Known for its premium handhelds that more often than not reach the $1,000 mark (or even cross it), the brand has something to offer its more budget-conscious gamer. Under the sub-brand KONKR, the Chinese brand has just teased the first-ever budget-friendly Android handheld, which most likely will be powered by the Snapdragon Elite 8 SoC.
Microsoft is creating a new "advanced shader delivery" feature for the ASUS ROG Xbox Ally handhelds that might make loading games faster and more stutter-free. The company teased the upcoming feature alongside the announcement of the launch date for the first Xbox-branded handhelds and the company's new compatibility system for figuring out if games will run well on handhelds. It sounds like this new shader delivery system will require some amount of buy-in from developers, which means it likely won't impact every game at launch.
MSI's Claw 8 handheld features an eight-inch FHD+ touchscreen with a 120Hz refresh rate, delivering excellent visuals and smooth animations, outperforming the Steam Deck's display.
The Backbone Pro promises quality handheld gaming with its advanced features, competing directly with dedicated consoles at a fraction of the price.