Coming off the immense success of handheld consoles such as the Nintendo Switch and Steam Deck is a number of other devices. These are primarily made by much smaller companies that want a piece of the handheld gaming market. The AOKZOE is just one of the newest portable devices on the market, but recent videos show it has some impressive capabilities.
Introducing the AOKZOE Handheld
The AOKZOE is an ambitious attempt to create a high-end Windows handheld gaming PC. It packs impressive specs into a portable form factor, including an AMD Ryzen 7 6800U processor and Radeon 680M integrated graphics. Other hardware highlights include a 17,100 mAh battery, 8-inch IPS touchscreen, and ample I/O like USB-C and USB-A ports.
According to AOKZOE, the device is capable of running AAA games smoothly. A recent YouTube video demonstrates the AOKZOE playing Elden Ring, an extremely demanding action RPG released in 2022. Let‘s analyze the device‘s performance running this graphically-intensive modern title.
Elden Ring Gameplay on the AOKZOE
From a specs perspective, Elden Ring calls for a decent gaming PC or new-generation console. Recommended PC requirements are a Core i7-8700K or Ryzen 5 3600X CPU, 16GB RAM and a GeForce GTX 1070 8GB or Radeon RX Vega 56 8GB GPU. The AOKZOE meets or exceeds this on the CPU and RAM fronts thanks to the Ryzen 7 processor and ability to configure up to 32GB memory.
In the AOKZOE YouTube demo, Elden Ring runs at 1280×800 resolution and low graphical settings to achieve smooth 60 FPS performance. This resolution matches the device‘s native 800p screen resolution. While not as sharp as 4K, it‘s adequate for the 8-inch display. There are some minor frame hitches visible, but overall gameplay appears highly responsive.
This shows that while the AOKZOE cannot match a high-end gaming PC or console for graphics fidelity, its Ryzen 7 Vega-based graphics can absolutely deliver playable framerates in Elden Ring at native resolution. For a handheld, that level of capability is mighty impressive.
How Does the AOKZOE Compare to Rivals?
The AOKZOE goes up against some stiff competition in the nascent handheld PC gaming space. Most notably, the wildly successful Steam Deck starts at just $399 with comparable AMD Zen 2 / RDNA 2 hardware. And while less powerful in raw specs, the Steam Deck has massive software optimization and compatibility advantages thanks to SteamOS and Proton.
However, the AOKZOE does distinguish itself from the Steam Deck in a few regards. Its newer generation Ryzen 7 6800U chip is faster for gaming and content creation tasks. The built-in touchscreen enables a unique control scheme for certain titles. And its superior I/O could come in handy for productivity use cases. Still, Valve‘s sheer software ecosystem poses a major advantage that can‘t be discounted.
The Outlook for Specialized Gaming Handhelds
While the Steam Deck sets an extremely high value bar for handheld PCs to clear, there appears to be enthusiasm for more premium alternatives too. The AOKZOE met its Kickstarter funding goals, suggesting an audience exists for its $899+ pricing. Features like expandable RAM and storage, an aluminum alloy chassis and improved CPU/GPU differentiate it from the Deck.
However, high pricing presents major hurdles. And battery life anxiety remains an issue for any compact system reliant on powerful x86 components. Software compatibility also can‘t be taken for granted without Valve‘s Proton layer that seamlessly enables Windows games on Linux.
In the end, the AOKZOE shows impressive technical promise by running Elden Ring smoothly. But like any Handheld PC, its real-world value versus cheaper or more optimized alternatives remains difficult to judge until wider public hands-on testing.
