I practically grew up glued to my original Game Boy! I remember playing in the dark, keeping it totally silent so my mom wouldn’t realize I was up late. That should tell you how long I’ve been gaming, and why I’ve always loved handheld consoles – I’m currently replaying Pokemon HeartGold on my 3DS. Honestly, it really bummed me out when it seemed like the industry was moving away from them. I keep hoping we’ll see something new – are those rumors about an Xbox handheld true? Will Sony ever bring back the PSP? I have no idea. But what I do know is that I absolutely adore both my Steam Deck and my Nintendo Switch. They’re fantastic!
With talk of the next Xbox and PlayStation consoles starting to surface, rumors about a potential Steam Deck 2 are also emerging. While these are just early reports and should be viewed cautiously, one source suggests Valve was aiming for a 2028 release. However, current issues with memory and storage could push that date back. Interestingly, because the Steam Deck doesn’t rely on a custom-built processor like the upcoming consoles, a delay could actually lead to improved hardware. But even with better specs – whether those planned for 2028 or even beyond – I wouldn’t necessarily upgrade. What will really drive my decision is how Valve addresses the biggest shortcomings of the current Steam Deck.
Handhelds, For Me, Live and Die By Battery Life
I’d be thrilled if Valve announced the Steam Deck 2 used AA batteries, even as a retro option. While I love my Steam Deck and Nintendo Switch, their battery life is really frustrating. I fondly remember playing my Game Boy and easily replacing batteries when needed. Actually, I prefer using batteries for my Xbox controller over constantly charging my PlayStation 5 controller. Maybe it’s just me getting older, but I genuinely dislike having to charge devices – it’s as annoying as finding strangers on my property!
While you can adjust settings to get more playtime, and battery life varies by game, you shouldn’t have to worry about these things when you just want to enjoy a game. The Steam Deck typically runs for 2 to 8 hours on a charge, but I usually find it’s closer to the 2-hour mark. The new OLED model offers a slight improvement over the older LCD version, but it’s not a huge difference. Ultimately, demanding games might only last an hour or two, simpler games can reach 8 hours, but I often find my battery dies in under 4.
Fit the 9 games into the grid.
Results
Pick a game
The Nintendo Switch 2, like other handheld consoles I own, gets between 2 and 6.5 hours of playtime, depending on the game. But it’s frustrating when I have to stop playing Pokopia to charge the console, since I can’t play while it’s plugged in.
Give Life to the Steam Deck 2
I realize this is a significant request, and there are many technical hurdles to overcome. I’m not suggesting something simple like powering a Steam Deck 2 with AA batteries – I understand that wouldn’t work. However, I believe the first modern handheld gaming device – whether it’s a hybrid or not – to offer truly long-lasting battery life will have a huge advantage over everything else on the market. If I could get a handheld that lasts 12 hours, even with demanding games, I’d be incredibly impressed.
Read More
- All Shadow Armor Locations in Crimson Desert
- All Skyblazer Armor Locations in Crimson Desert
- How to Get the Sunset Reed Armor Set and Hollow Visage Sword in Crimson Desert
- Best Bows in Crimson Desert
- Marni Laser Helm Location & Upgrade in Crimson Desert
- All Helfryn Armor Locations in Crimson Desert
- All Golden Greed Armor Locations in Crimson Desert
- How to Craft the Elegant Carmine Armor in Crimson Desert
- Wings of Iron Walkthrough in Crimson Desert
- Keeping Large AI Models Connected Through Network Chaos
2026-04-04 20:07