Best Handhelds for Open World Games: 2025 Performance Guide
Searching for the best handhelds for open world games in 2025? 🌍 We benchmark draw distance, FPS stability, and battery life on top contenders like the ROG Ally X and Steam Deck OLED. Explore vast digital landscapes without the lag! 🚀
Gone are the days when "portable gaming" meant sacrificing the sprawling vistas of Hyrule or Night City. In 2025, the best handhelds for open world games deliver console-quality experiences right in your palms... whether you're dodging load shedding or just chilling on the stoep. But exploring massive maps requires serious hardware muscle. Here is how the top contenders stack up when the draw distance really matters.
Razer Kishi V3 Pro XL iPad & Android Tablet Gaming Controller / Full-Sized Console-Style Controller / Fits Phones and Tablets up to 10” / Razer Sensa HD Immersive Haptics / RZ06-05470100-R3M1
R5199.00In Stock
Turtle Beach Stealth Pivot Wireless Smart Game Controller for Windows PC, Wired for Xbox Series X|S & Xbox One – Rotating Modules, Display Dashboard, Hall-Effect Sticks, Remappable Buttons, Bluetooth / TBS-0120-05
R3199.00In Stock
SteelSeries Stratus + Wireless Anroid Controller / Android & Chromebook Wireless Gaming Controller / Bluetooth LE + USB-C PC Support / Adjustable Slim Phone Mount Included / 90-Hour Battery Life with Fast Charge (15 min = 12 hrs) / ALPS Thumbsticks with L3/R3 / Hall Effect Magnetic Triggers for Lifetime Precision / 69076
R999.00In Stock
MSI Claw 8 AI+ A2VM Handheld Touchscreen Gaming Console / Intel Core Ultra 7 258V / 32GB LPDDR5X RAM / 1TB NVMe SSD / 8" FHD+ (1920 x 1200), 120 Hz, Touchscreen Display / Intel® Arc 140V Graphics / 2 x USB Type-C (Supports Thunderbolt 4 / DisplayPort / Power Delivery 3.0) / 1 x Micro SD Card Reader / 1 x Headphone and Microphone combo jack / 1x Fingerprint Reader / Intel® Killer Wi-Fi 7 BE1750 Wireless LAN / Bluetooth 5.4 / Windows 11 Home (64bit) / 2 × 2W Speakers, Hi-Res Audio ready / 6-Cell, 80Whr Battery / 1 Year Warranty / CLAW-8-AI-A2VM-067ZA
R18999.00In Stock
Lenovo Legion Go S 8APU1 Handheld Touchscreen Gaming Console - Black / AMD Ryzen™ Z1 Extreme / 16GB LPDDR5X RAM / 1TB NVMe SSD / 8.8" WUXGA (1920 x 1200), Touch Screen, 100% sRGB(Typical), 500nits(Typical), IPS-Level Display/ Integrated AMD Radeon™ Graphics / 2x USB Type-C support (DisplayPort™ 1.4 / Power Delivery 3.0) / 1 x Card Reader / 1 x Headphone and Microphone combo jack / AMD Wi-Fi® 6E RZ616 Wireless / Bluetooth 5.3 / SteamOS / 2 Stereo Speakers / 4-Cell, Li-ion, 55.5Whr Battery / 1 Year Warranty / 83N6002ESA
R17499.00In Stock
Razer Kishi V3 Pro Gaming Controller / Supports Android, iPhone & iPad Mini / Full-Sized Console-Style Controller / Fits Phones and Tablets up to 8” / Razer Sensa HD Immersive Haptics / RZ06-05460100-R3M1
R4199.00In Stock
Why Open Worlds Demand More Power
Open world titles like Cyberpunk 2077, Elden Ring, and GTA V are notoriously resource-heavy. They constantly stream textures, calculate AI for hundreds of NPCs, and render distant horizons. To run these smoothly, modern handheld gaming consoles need a delicate balance of processor speed, fast RAM, and smart thermal management.
It is not just about raw frame rates; it is about frame pacing. A stuttery image ruins the immersion of a vast landscape. That is why choosing the right device is critical for this specific genre.
ASUS: Smoothness is King ⚡
When you are galloping through dense forests or driving fast in a metropolitan zone, frame rate dips are inevitable. This is where the ASUS ROG Ally lineup shines. Thanks to their native Variable Refresh Rate (VRR) screens, these devices smooth out the visual experience even when performance fluctuates between 45 and 60 FPS.
Logitech F710 Wireless Gaming Gamepad / 2.4GHz Wireless / Broad Game Support / Familiar Button Layout / 940-000142
R849.00In Stock
Lenovo Legion Go S 8ARP1 Handheld Touchscreen Gaming Console - Black / AMD Ryzen™ Z2 Go / 16GB LPDDR5X RAM / 512B NVMe SSD / 8.8" WUXGA (1920 x 1200), Touch Screen, 100% sRGB(Typical), 500nits(Typical), IPS-Level Display/ Integrated AMD Radeon™ Graphics / 2x USB Type-C support (DisplayPort™ 1.4 / Power Delivery 3.0) / 1 x Card Reader / 1 x Headphone and Microphone combo jack / AMD Wi-Fi® 6E RZ616 Wireless / Bluetooth 5.3 / SteamOS / 2 Stereo Speakers / 4-Cell, Li-ion, 55.5Whr Battery / 1 Year Warranty / 83L3004VSA
R13499.00In Stock
Razer Kishi V3 Pro Gaming Controller / Supports Android, iPhone & iPad Mini / Full-Sized Console-Style Controller / Fits Phones and Tablets up to 8” / Razer Sensa HD Immersive Haptics / RZ06-05460100-R3M1
R4199.00In Stock
Razer Kishi V3 Gaming Controller / Supports Android and iPhone / Full-Sized Console-Style Controller / Dual mouse-click back buttons / Razer Sensa HD Immersive Haptics / RZ06-03550100-R3M1
R2999.00In Stock
Lenovo Legion Go S 8APU1 Handheld Touchscreen Gaming Console - Black / AMD Ryzen™ Z1 Extreme / 16GB LPDDR5X RAM / 1TB NVMe SSD / 8.8" WUXGA (1920 x 1200), Touch Screen, 100% sRGB(Typical), 500nits(Typical), IPS-Level Display/ Integrated AMD Radeon™ Graphics / 2x USB Type-C support (DisplayPort™ 1.4 / Power Delivery 3.0) / 1 x Card Reader / 1 x Headphone and Microphone combo jack / AMD Wi-Fi® 6E RZ616 Wireless / Bluetooth 5.3 / SteamOS / 2 Stereo Speakers / 4-Cell, Li-ion, 55.5Whr Battery / 1 Year Warranty / 83N6002ESA
R17499.00In Stock
Turtle Beach Stealth Pivot Wireless Smart Game Controller for Windows PC, Wired for Xbox Series X|S & Xbox One – Rotating Modules, Display Dashboard, Hall-Effect Sticks, Remappable Buttons, Bluetooth / TBS-0120-05
R3199.00In Stock
For South African gamers, this tech is essential. It makes heavy titles feel fluid without needing to lower every setting to "Low". The Z1 Extreme chip found in the high-end models handles physics calculations surprisingly well, keeping your open world alive and reactive.
Lenovo: Immersion on a Grand Scale
If you want to appreciate the tiny details on a distant mountain peak, screen real estate is non-negotiable. The Lenovo Legion Go boasts a massive 8.8-inch QHD+ display. In the world of handhelds, this is effectively an IMAX screen.
The higher resolution allows for crisper UI elements—vital for RPGs with complex inventories—and the detachable controllers give you the freedom to prop the screen up on a table for a more relaxed session. It is a heavyweight performer for games where scale creates the atmosphere.
TIP FOR YOU
Performance Pro Tip 🚀
Open world games kill battery life fast due to constant asset streaming. Always enable FSR (FidelityFX Super Resolution) or RSR (Radeon Super Resolution) in your settings. Set it to 'Quality' or 'Balanced' to boost your FPS significantly without ruining the visuals, giving your GPU a little breathing room.
Adata SC735 1TB High-Performance External SSD with USB-C / 1,050MB/s Read & 1,000MB/s Write Speeds / Cable-Free Mobile Phone Compatibility / Gaming Handheld Compatible / Supports Latest Game Consoles / Multi-OS Support / SC735-1000G-CCBK/GY
R2199.00In Stock
Logitech F710 Wireless Gaming Gamepad / 2.4GHz Wireless / Broad Game Support / Familiar Button Layout / 940-000142
R849.00In Stock
Turtle Beach Atom Mobile Game Controller with Bluetooth for Cloud Gaming on Android Mobile Devices with Compact Shape, Console Style Controls, Low Latency Bluetooth - Red / TBS-0766-05
R2499.00In Stock
Razer Kishi V3 Gaming Controller / Supports Android and iPhone / Full-Sized Console-Style Controller / Dual mouse-click back buttons / Razer Sensa HD Immersive Haptics / RZ06-03550100-R3M1
R2999.00In Stock
MSI Claw 8 AI+ A2VM Handheld Touchscreen Gaming Console / Intel Core Ultra 7 258V / 32GB LPDDR5X RAM / 1TB NVMe SSD / 8" FHD+ (1920 x 1200), 120 Hz, Touchscreen Display / Intel® Arc 140V Graphics / 2 x USB Type-C (Supports Thunderbolt 4 / DisplayPort / Power Delivery 3.0) / 1 x Micro SD Card Reader / 1 x Headphone and Microphone combo jack / 1x Fingerprint Reader / Intel® Killer Wi-Fi 7 BE1750 Wireless LAN / Bluetooth 5.4 / Windows 11 Home (64bit) / 2 × 2W Speakers, Hi-Res Audio ready / 6-Cell, 80Whr Battery / 1 Year Warranty / CLAW-8-AI-A2VM-067ZA
R18999.00In Stock
Turtle Beach Stealth Pivot Wireless Smart Game Controller for Windows PC, Wired for Xbox Series X|S & Xbox One – Rotating Modules, Display Dashboard, Hall-Effect Sticks, Remappable Buttons, Bluetooth / TBS-0120-05
R3199.00In Stock
MSI: The Intel Architecture Advantage
While AMD dominates much of the handheld space, the MSI Claw series leverages Intel’s Core Ultra technology. For open world games that rely heavily on single-core CPU performance for AI and physics, this architecture offers a unique alternative.
MSI has also focused heavily on ergonomics. Exploring a map for three hours straight can cramp your hands on smaller devices, but the Claw’s grip is designed for long-haul comfort. Plus, with Intel's XeSS upscaling maturing rapidly, you get another great tool to keep framerates high in demanding zones.
Final Thoughts for SA Gamers
Choosing the best handheld comes down to what you value most in your open world adventures. Do you want the buttery smoothness of VRR, the immersive scale of a giant screen, or ergonomic comfort for marathon sessions? Whichever you choose, the technology has finally caught up to our ambitions.
Ready to Explore Anywhere? Whether you need the massive screen of the Legion Go or the VRR smoothness of the Ally, we have the gear to power your next adventure. Browse our full range of handheld gaming consoles and take your open world experiences on the road today.
Related Products
Logitech F710 Wireless Gaming Gamepad / 2.4GHz Wireless / Broad Game Support / Familiar Button Layout / 940-000142
R849.00In Stock
Turtle Beach Atom Mobile Game Controller with Bluetooth for Cloud Gaming on Android Mobile Devices with Compact Shape, Console Style Controls, Low Latency Bluetooth - Red / TBS-0766-05
R2499.00In Stock
Lenovo Legion Go S 8APU1 Handheld Touchscreen Gaming Console - Black / AMD Ryzen™ Z1 Extreme / 16GB LPDDR5X RAM / 1TB NVMe SSD / 8.8" WUXGA (1920 x 1200), Touch Screen, 100% sRGB(Typical), 500nits(Typical), IPS-Level Display/ Integrated AMD Radeon™ Graphics / 2x USB Type-C support (DisplayPort™ 1.4 / Power Delivery 3.0) / 1 x Card Reader / 1 x Headphone and Microphone combo jack / AMD Wi-Fi ® 6E RZ616 Wireless / Bluetooth 5.3 / SteamOS / 2 Stereo Speakers / 4-Cell, Li-ion, 55.5Whr Battery / 1 Year Warranty / 83N6002ESA
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Razer Kishi V3 Pro Gaming Controller / Supports Android, iPhone & iPad Mini / Full-Sized Console-Style Controller / Fits Phones and Tablets up to 8” / Razer Sensa HD Immersive Haptics / RZ06-05460100-R3M1
R4199.00In Stock
Turtle Beach Stealth Pivot Wireless Smart Game Controller for Windows PC, Wired for Xbox Series X|S & Xbox One – Rotating Modules, Display Dashboard, Hall-Effect Sticks, Remappable Buttons, Bluetooth / TBS-0120-05
R3199.00In Stock
Razer Kishi V3 Pro XL iPad & Android Tablet Gaming Controller / Full-Sized Console-Style Controller / Fits Phones and Tablets up to 10” / Razer Sensa HD Immersive Haptics / RZ06-05470100-R3M1
R5199.00In Stock
The ROG Ally X and Lenovo Legion Go currently lead for open world titles due to their Z1 Extreme chips and high RAM, offering superior draw distances.
Yes, higher draw distance settings increase GPU load, significantly draining battery. We recommend handhelds with 50Wh+ batteries for open world gaming.
Absolutely. While it targets 800p, the OLED screen makes open world colors pop, and FSR 3.0 support helps maintain stable framerates in vast games.
For 2025 titles, 16GB is the minimum, but 24GB or 32GB (found in newer flagship handhelds) is ideal for preventing stutter in large maps.
The Lenovo Legion Go's 8.8-inch QHD+ display offers the most immersive experience for viewing distant horizons in games like Cyberpunk 2077 or Elden Ring.
For open world games at home, an eGPU via USB4 transforms a handheld into a desktop-class powerhouse, maximizing draw distance settings.
