2.3 Million PC Gaming Handhelds Will Be Bought in 2025, In keeping with Omdia

LONDON, August 18, 2025–(BUSINESS WIRE)–New Omdia analysis reveals 2.3 million PC gaming handhelds, together with the Steam Deck, will likely be bought globally in 2025. This will characterize development of 32% from 2024, when 1.7 million items have been bought. Omdia forecasts 4.7 million PC handhelds will likely be bought yearly by 2029.

PC distributors proceed to face challenges. “Windows 11 is currently poorly suited to handheld gaming, and devices are not delivering a generational leap in performance over the market leading Steam Deck,” commented James McWhirter, Senior Analyst overlaying video games at Omdia.

However, 2025 is bringing progress on these fronts. “Windows 11’s upcoming refreshed gaming mode is expected to dramatically improve the user experience on PC gaming handhelds. This, coupled with the first Xbox-branded handhelds launching in late 2025, provide potential for devices to resonate with a broader audience beyond PC gaming enthusiasts,” added McWhirter.

Microsoft can also be investing to make sure PC distributors will finally have entry to semi-custom APUs to energy their handhelds through its latest partnership with AMD – it will assist present a generational leap in efficiency.

PC gaming handhelds coexist with PC gaming desktops and laptops as complementary units, and the same dynamic is noticed with Sony’s PlayStation Portal, one other machine coated in Omdia’s Games Handhelds Database. Omdia finds PlayStation Portal surpassed a 3% connect fee to PlayStation 5 by the tip of 2024.

The arrival of the Nintendo Switch 2 in 2025 introduced a brand new console cycle to the handhelds market, with Omdia forecasting over 20 million mixed items of the Switch 2 and Switch bought globally in 2025.

“Nintendo continues to follow the traditional console model with the Switch 2 – compelling exclusive blockbuster content marketed in tandem with the hardware. But it will not reach the heights achieved by the original Switch,” added McWhirter. “Switch’s unique selling point of high-quality gaming on the go has now been commoditized. Switch 2’s upgrade cycle is therefore an opportunity for competing platform holders and vendors to encourage the Switch audience to consider their handhelds instead.”

Omdia’s Games Handhelds Database covers the total breadth of the handhelds market, forecasting {hardware} gross sales quantity, worth, and put in base by way of to 2029 throughout key territories. Devices coated embrace PlayStation Portal, Valve Steam Deck, Nintendo Switch, Switch 2, Asus ROG Ally, Lenovo Legion Go, MSI Claw, Panic Playdate, and extra.