Steam Deck vs Gaming Phone: The better portable gaming experience?

SomeGadgetGuy's Gear List

--------------------------------------

Links on this page may be affiliate links which help support production on this website.
#steamdeck #gamingphone #gaming

[GruppeSechs]

There are SO many games I bought years and years ago that I just couldn't justify sitting at a PC and playing for hours. The deck has opened up so many options and I hope the increased sales for that very reason justify more iterations of the hardware until it's at its pinnacle. Valve is in a unique position where they can break even on the product itself as long as they profit on software purchases. That's why they can make this thing so affordable.

[dice_for_death]

Appreciate the perspectives on either service and the value arguments for/against both. As I get older, my gaming needs are becoming more relaxed; more compartmentalized, in that my needs are narrowing or simplifying. The SteamDeck, while a fuller solution, offers more than I feel I'd need. A robust Android offering, a jack-of-all-trades with 6 inches or more in screen dimensions and that number in GBs for RAM, sufficiently addresses my needs for local and cloud gaming, with or without peripherals. That and portability. Would I notice the SD's weight?

Love the pragmatic views you bring to the table. And the delicious snark.

[Fierrosporcelular]

Besides the usual clarity and info, "comedy" is getting better and better. Love this channel.

[PakoSt]

Good video and tight editorial as usual! Great job, Juan!

There is part of the conversation that appears you've avoided and that is longevity. The Steam Deck will under all circumstances remain operational regardless when Valve stops official support. The device will still be able to run up-to date software and security patches a decade from now and beyond with minimal barrier to entry for the users.

You are well aware of the short software support lifespan, the limitations of official and community driven solutions and heavy reliance on services for any current smartphone to have basic functionally. Preserving the games on Android is next to impossible. Major changes to system behavior between versions, inability to get the game executables at all through most distribution channels (technically you can if they are on the device but with heavy caveats) and so on.

The Deck is missing entirely photo and video capture on its own. A very important win for the smartphones.

The low barrier for entry with the Deck is where that thing shines. 64GB is 350GBP offering the same experience as the higher tier versions - sd card is a must for sure but even then the entry point is at most close to 400GBP without comprise to the experience.

Looking at the long term perspective as of how Valve acts within the ecosystem and how it changes it is amazing. Comparing that to the actions (or inactions) of almost every company involved in shaping the smartphone ecosystem is a stark and contrasting image.

Apologies for grumpy evening thoughts 😁 Enjoy the gadgets and use them to their fullest 😁

[NealBauer]

Really happy you brought up game streaming as that's what's been the key decision maker for me.

With two kids (and two dogs) time these days has become more finite. Having the ability to remote play my PS4/PS5 and emulate older games on a phone is the hands down winner.

[jimmymac]

Geforce now works extremely well and with over 1300 games. Alot of your library could already be accessible. I dont really leave the house with the need to game as my trips are usually intentional. Like work, gym, shopping, etc... I think it would be cool if you did a dedicated cloud gaming video.

[gregoryaul]

Very cool Juan love the analogy between the two 👍🤗

[TheRealJPhillips]

I got a steam deck and I also have a gamesir x2 and my old Galaxy note 8 as a smaller, in the bag alternative. I know the steam deck is portable but, I'm never taking it outside.

[Charles_Bro-son]

Longevity could be another point going to the Steam Deck.

[mikejones-ndni]

Honestly with cloud gaming Xcloud, Gforce now, Steam Link, luna... I dont see a need for a Steam Deck or Ayaneo. I'm good with my Note 20 ultra & Razer Kishi, they can be bought for $30

[Spearra]

The only reason I play mostly on mobile over PC is simple. Time logistics.

I usually have small gaps of time in my day where I can sneak in like 1 fight in Punishing: Gray Raven, or one or two songs in Project Sekai. Not sit down and PC game mad hard like I could do back in middle school.

That and both of those games have insanely high skill ceilings so whenever I play other games I'm thinking "I could be improving at Project Sekai right now". But all that is an anecdotal me problem.

PS: I forgot to mention, literal energy levels. By the time I do have time to play something for longer sessions, I literally don't have enough energy to game mad hard. But again, I can only speak for myself.

[shiroblack]

In general, they are converge to a same hardware, as phones and tablets are converging to foldind devices.

Nowadays we already have smaller and most powerful bateries, most eficient processing chips and even ways to run a desktop OS in a phone.

[whatihavelearned]

Steam deck, is it a PC or a Console? What is it for you? Help me out here, Juan.

[SOBERABSORBER]

With smartphones specs getting crazier over the years its insane that android doesnt have dedicated gamestore that host AAA games for android. I play Apex Legends alot..but since it released on android, i hardly play Apex on my pc anymore. Surely the same level quality games like this should be on different categories from something like candy crush or any other puzzles game/apps.

[AdemOmerovicBA]

What mobile games lack is better support for peripheral controllers. It should be standardized, like when USB or Bluetooth controller is connected, Android ahould allow gaming with it.

I will give example of current support. Android supports mouse, and it will work in general mobile interface, but if you run a game, mouse does not work in the game. Even in simple games where you have to point & click.

Currently support for peripheral controllers is implemented by the developer, so... Yeah few of them invested in that direction.

[dacook]

Love the stream deck so much. Top 3 games I'm playing the most on it are borderlands 3, Spiderman and alien isolation. Truly fulfilling my gaming fix way more often then PC or console gives me these days

[HuntaKiller]

Steam deck is so inflated in my country tho
Around $1000 here in Malaysia
I'd get AynLoki 6600u for $489 and get this gamesir x2/x3 while paired with a poco f3 or even the upcoming poco f5 with sd8+ gen1 than the SD

[asdfrozen]

OMG yes, I've been saying that a phone + controller is a lot easier to carry around than a phone + dedicated portable console. For some reason people still keep saying it's better to carry a separate portable console because they don't want to carry a phone controller.

[shaolin]

But of course there is a big difference between the games a deck can play and a phone.

[BrianGlaze]

Definitely not controversial. Steam Deck surely is the better device for gaming. This was a well done editorial. I think the Deck is perfect for those who like to game but don't have a lot of free time or badnwidth to justify buying a PC setup or even gaming laptop.