this post was submitted on 12 Sep 2025
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Building your own gaming handheld? (lemmy.world)
submitted 5 days ago* (last edited 5 days ago) by Amaterasu@lemmy.world to c/hardware@lemmy.world
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Many build their own PC. Nowadays there are quite many models of handhelds but most are plagued with at least one of these problems:

Too bulky

Low Performance

Poor Battery

Poor screen

I'm not sure a Steam Deck 2 or 3 or 4, etc... mini, with efficient battery will be launched some day.

With the SteamOS I was starting to think if maybe I should try to build my own handheld.

Assembling all the parts available out there, re-purposing discarded devices parts.

Is this some kind of stupid idea? Not looking for validation, I'm just looking to learn if others tried.

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[–] bjoern_tantau@swg-empire.de 3 points 4 days ago (1 children)

Most smaller handhelds are ARM based with Android as the OS. There are plenty of those in all kinds of form factor and price point available. So if you're fine with emulation you can probably find one to fit your needs. Although x86 emulation on Android also seems to be on the up and about, so you should be able to run at least some less demanding Steam games.

The problem with higher performance (regardless of ARM or x86) is that it needs power and cooling, which need space. That's why the handhelds that can emulate Switch games are much bulkier than the ones that are content with N64 emulation.

If you do want to go through with building something yourself I just found this video of someone ripping a Samsung Flip apart and building his own phone with a keyboard out of the parts. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qy_9w_c2ub0 It should give you a good overview over the whole process and the difficulties one might find along the way. He also seems to have videos about building a handheld although that doesn't look as clean as the phone, at least on the thumbnail.

[–] Amaterasu@lemmy.world 2 points 4 days ago (1 children)

I need to look better the ARM devices. I was trying to get away of Android because of where it seems to be going with Google locking it bit by bit but it may be the last resort. Any particular device that you find appealing?

100% about cooling, was looking those giant x86 portables and they can make a lot of noise giving the state of cooling.

Thanks for sharing the video, I loved this guy aptitude, I can definitely relate.

[–] bjoern_tantau@swg-empire.de 1 points 3 days ago

Any particular device that you find appealing?

Well, I'm quite satisfied with my Steam Deck. If I wanted something a little bit more portable I'd just chuck a mobile controller from 8BitDo or so into my backpack to use with my phone.

I guess my ideal device would be an RG Slide if it could also work as a phone.