2.3 Million PC Gaming Handhelds Will Be Sold in 2025, According to Omdia

2.3 Million PC Gaming Handhelds Will Be Sold in 2025, According to Omdia

New Omdia analysis reveals 2.3 million PC gaming handhelds, together with the Steam Deck, might be offered globally in 2025. This will signify development of 32% from 2024, when 1.7 million models had been offered. Omdia forecasts 4.7 million PC handhelds might be offered yearly by 2029.

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Global handheld gross sales volumes by class, 2024 and 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 masking 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 current partnership with AMD – this may assist present a generational leap in efficiency.

PC gaming handhelds coexist with PC gaming desktops and laptops as complementary gadgets, and an analogous dynamic is noticed with Sony’s PlayStation Portal, one other machine lined in Omdia’s Games Handhelds Database. Omdia finds PlayStation Portal surpassed a 3% connect price 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 models of the Switch 2 and Switch offered 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 lined embody PlayStation Portal, Valve Steam Deck, Nintendo Switch, Switch 2, Asus ROG Ally, Lenovo Legion Go, MSI Claw, Panic Playdate, and extra.

Eric Thoo

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