Handheld Gaming PC Trends: What’s Next for Portable Power?

Remember when "portable gaming" meant squinting at a tiny, underpowered screen? Those days are long gone. The last few years have seen an explosion in powerful handheld PCs, letting us play AAA titles anywhere from a coffee shop in Cape Town to a holiday spot in the Drakensberg. But with the market heating up, what are the handheld gaming PC trends we can expect to see next? Let’s look at what’s on the horizon. 🚀

Razer Wolverine V3 Pro 8K PC Wireless Controller / Hyper Polling Technology / Swappable Thumbstick Caps / 4 Back Paddles / RZ06-05540100-R3M1

R4699.00In Stock

Xbox Rechargeable Battery + USB-C Cable - SXW-00002

R649.00In Stock

PowerA Advantage Wired Xbox Controller - Sonic Style / 3-Way Trigger Locks / Officially Licensed for Xbox Series X|S / XBGP0229-01

R699.00In Stock

Xbox Series X/S Wireless Controller - Pulse Red / Enhanced Comfort / New Hybrid D-pad / Xbox Wireless and Bluetooth Technology / 3.5mm Audio Jack / QAU-00012

R1599.00In 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 Wolverine V3 Pro Wireless Gaming Controller: Licensed for Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, Windows PC / 6 Remappable Buttons / Fast Triggers / Customizable Thumbsticks / Wired Tournament Mode - White / RZ06-05200200-R3M1

R4999.00In Stock

The Current State of Portable PC Power

The revolution kicked off by devices like the Steam Deck and refined by the ASUS ROG Ally and Lenovo Legion Go proved one thing: gamers are hungry for high-performance, portable PCs. These machines aren't just for emulation or indie titles anymore; they're capable of running the latest blockbusters. This new category has also spawned a massive ecosystem of docks, controllers, and other essential gaming accessories designed to enhance the experience, turning a single device into a versatile entertainment hub.

Key Handheld Gaming PC Trends to Watch

The first wave of devices was impressive, but the next generation is where things get truly exciting. Technology in this space is moving at lightning speed, and several key trends are shaping the future of portable power.

Better, Brighter Screens are Becoming Standard

The biggest visual leap is the widespread adoption of OLED screen technology. While early models used capable LCD panels, the difference is night and day. The Steam Deck OLED demonstrated just how much impact a better screen can have, with perfect blacks, incredible colour vibrancy, and faster response times. Expect future handheld gaming PCs from all major brands to prioritise high-refresh-rate OLED displays as a standard feature, not a premium extra. ✨

MARVO GT-88 WIRELESS GAMING GAMEPAD / Compatible With PC / Analog Mini Sticks With Xbox Positioning / Double Triggers And Analog Mumpers / Rapid Fire With Turbo Mode / Dual Motors For Vibration Feedback / Soft, Sweat-resistant Coating / GT-88

R499.00In 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

Mad Catz C.A.T. 7 Gamepad - 2 Profiles + 2 Macro Settings - Detachable Micro-USB Connection - OLED Display for Configuration - 6 Programmable Tactile Buttons - Multi-Format Compatibility, ideal for PC and console gaming / GCPCCAINBL000-0-SN

R899.00In Stock

Razer Wolverine V3 Tournament Edition XBOX/PC, 6 Remappable Buttons to Outplay Them All, 1000Hz Polling Rate for Competitive Play on PC, Wired Esports Controller - White / RZ06-05210200-R3M1

R2699.00In Stock

ASUS ROG Ally X Handheld Touchscreen Gaming Console / AMD Ryzen™ Z2 Extreme / 24GB LPDDR5X RAM / 1TB NVMe SSD / 7" FHD (1920 x 1080), 120 Hz Refresh Rate, Touch Screen, 100% sRGB(Typical), 500nits(Typical), IPS-Level Panel / AMD Radeon™ Graphics / 1x USB 3.2 Type-C / 1 x Thunderbolt 4 / DisplayPort / USB Type-C (w/ PD 3.0 Charging) / 1 x MicroSD Card Reader / 1 x Audio combo jack / Finger Print Sensor / 802.11 ax WiFi 6 Wireless / Bluetooth 5.2 / Windows 11 Home (64bit) / 2-Speaker System with Smart Amplifier Technology / 4-Cell, Li-ion, 80Whr Battery / 1 Year Warranty / 90NV00H2-M003E0

R18999.00In Stock

Xbox Series X/S Wireless Controller - Pulse Red / Enhanced Comfort / New Hybrid D-pad / Xbox Wireless and Bluetooth Technology / 3.5mm Audio Jack / QAU-00012

R1599.00In Stock

Smarter Power and Onboard AI

Sheer horsepower isn't the only goal anymore; efficiency is the new frontier. The next generation of APUs (the all-in-one chip containing the CPU and GPU) from AMD and Intel will focus on delivering more performance with less battery drain. A huge part of this puzzle is AI. Technologies like AMD's FSR and NVIDIA's DLSS use artificial intelligence to boost frame rates, and we're seeing this tech become more integrated. This means smoother gameplay without having to be tethered to a wall socket, making these devices true grab-and-go powerhouses.

More Than Just a Gaming Device

One of the most significant handheld gaming PC trends is the move toward true hybrid functionality. With Windows or a flexible Linux OS, these devices are fully-fledged computers. Connect one to a monitor, add a keyboard and mouse, and you have a capable desktop for work or study. This versatility makes them incredible value, serving as your gaming console, media player, and productivity machine all in one. To complete a setup like this, you might just need a few other tech essentials.

MARVO Monka Contra PS4 Wireless Game Controller / Strong compatibility: PS4/PS3/Windows/IOS13/Android / 6 hour battery life / 6-axis sensor with 3D-Sensor and G-Sensor / Dual vibration feedback for an immersive gaming experience / Ergonomically designed for comfort with sweat-proof and anti-slip materials / GT-96

R349.00In Stock

ASUS ROG Ally Handheld Touchscreen Gaming Console - White / AMD Ryzen™ Z2 Extreme / 16GB LPDDR5X RAM / 512GB NVMe SSD / 7" FHD (1920 x 1080), 120 Hz Refresh Rate, Touch Screen, 100% sRGB(Typical), 500nits(Typical), IPS-Level Panel / AMD Radeon™ Graphics / 2x USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-C support (DisplayPort™ / Power Delivery) / 1 x MicroSD Card Reader / 1 x Audio combo jack / Finger Print Sensor / 802.11 ax WiFi 6 Wireless / Bluetooth 5.2 / Windows 11 Home (64bit) / 2-Speaker System with Smart Amplifier Technology / 4-Cell, Li-ion, 60Whr Battery / 1 Year Warranty / 90NV00G1-M000L0

R12999.00In Stock

Microsoft Xbox Wireless Controller - Carbon Black / Hybrid D-Pad / 3.5mm Stereo Headset Jack / Textured Triggers And Bumpers / Compatible for Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, Android And iOS / QAT-00009

R1599.00In Stock

Microsoft Xbox Wireless Controller - Shock Blue / Hybrid D-Pad / 3.5mm Stereo Headset Jack / Textured Triggers And Bumpers / Compatible for Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, Windows 10, Android And iOS / QAU-00010

R1599.00In Stock

MARVO GT-88 WIRELESS GAMING GAMEPAD / Compatible With PC / Analog Mini Sticks With Xbox Positioning / Double Triggers And Analog Mumpers / Rapid Fire With Turbo Mode / Dual Motors For Vibration Feedback / Soft, Sweat-resistant Coating / GT-88

R499.00In 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

What This Means for South African Gamers

So, what do these advancements mean for us here in Mzansi? It means more choice and more power than ever before. The ability to play demanding titles like Cyberpunk 2077 or Baldur's Gate 3 with stunning fidelity while on the move is incredible. For the best experience, you'll want to pair your device with a quality gaming headset to truly appreciate the rich audio of modern games. And as game sizes continue to swell, upgrading your internal SSD will be one of the smartest moves you can make for faster load times and more storage. The future of handheld gaming PCs is bright, powerful, and incredibly exciting.