The handheld gaming market has surged following the launch of Valve’s Steam Deck and AMD’s Ryzen Z1 Extreme chip, which featured in the ASUS ROG Ally. Now, however, a new rival has surfaced and Intel is at its core.
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At CES 2025, Intel showcased the novel device known as the “Sunday Dragon,” which resulted from a partnership between Intel and Tencent. It includes an 11-inch screen, making it the largest gaming handheld I have ever had the honor of holding. While the size certainly attracts attention, the standout feature lies in its “naked-eye 3D” technology, enhanced by an “image interlacing algorithm.”
Powered by the Intel Core Ultra 7 258V, the Sunday Dragon represents one of the premium processors within the Lunar Lake range. Furthermore, this distinctive device possesses the Arc 140V iGPU, competing head-to-head with the MSI Claw 8 AI+ and the soon-to-arrive AMD Ryzen Z2 Extreme handhelds. Regarding its physical design, Tencent has equipped this device with magnetically detachable controllers, akin to the rumored Joy-Cons for the Nintendo Switch 2, a docking connection for accessories, a straightforward toggle to switch between 2D and 3D gameplay, alongside an integrated kickstand for desktop utilization.
Regrettably, Intel could not disclose when the Tencent Sunday Dragon will become available for purchase or its pricing upon release. However, since it was announced at CES 2025, it’s plausible that we will see the Sunday Dragon launched this year, likely to contend with rival gaming handhelds like the MSI Claw 8 AI+, which is offered at $899.