The handheld gaming market is heating up with the recent launch of the Asus ROG Ally X and MSI Claw 8 AI Plus. However, there’s a new player in town that is looking to shake things up – Zotac and its Zone gaming handheld. This device offers a unique set of features that set it apart from the competition, making it an intriguing option for gamers on the go.
The Zotac Zone boasts an OLED screen, a feature previously only seen on the Steam Deck OLED. Additionally, it comes equipped with two-stage adjustable triggers reminiscent of the Xbox Elite gamepad, as well as drift-resistant Hall effect joysticks. What sets it apart further is the inclusion of symmetrical PlayStation-esque joysticks, programmable dials around each joystick, twin Steam Deck-like trackpads, a small built-in kickstand, a Windows Hello camera instead of a fingerprint reader, and both top and bottom USB4 ports. These features combine to provide a versatile and feature-rich handheld gaming experience.
Powered by an AMD Ryzen 7 8840U chip, the Zotac Zone offers decent performance with the Radeon 780M iGPU inside. While the performance might not be groundbreaking, it does come with LPDDR5X-7500 memory, which has been shown to provide a slight performance boost over previous models. The handheld supports a more modest 1080p resolution and comes with a 48.5 watt-hour battery pack. While this is smaller than some of its competitors, the device still manages to offer a vibrant 7-inch 120Hz OLED screen with 800 nits of brightness.
One interesting aspect of the Zotac Zone is its cooling technology. Zotac has experimented with AirJet’s solid-state cooling tech in the past, but it seems that the current AirJet design may not be capable of cooling chips as high wattage as the 8840U. This raises some concerns about potential overheating issues, especially during extended gaming sessions. For now, the Zone relies on a single traditional fan and vents to keep temperatures in check.
According to reports, the Zotac Zone is expected to retail for around $800 when it launches in September of this year. While this price point may seem steep compared to other gaming handhelds on the market, it is in line with premium devices like the ROG Ally X. It will be interesting to see how consumers respond to the Zone’s unique features and whether it can carve out a niche for itself in the competitive handheld gaming market.
The Zotac Zone brings a fresh perspective to the world of Windows gaming handhelds with its unique design and feature set. While it may not offer groundbreaking performance, its innovative approach to cooling technology and range of features make it a compelling option for gamers looking for a versatile and portable gaming device. As the handheld gaming market continues to evolve, it will be fascinating to see how Zotac’s Zone stacks up against the competition and whether it can find success in this increasingly crowded space.