We’ve reached a point where both the best foldable phones and the best PC gaming handhelds have matured. Devices like the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6 and Asus ROG Ally X are among the best that their respective categories have to offer. I’ve spent the last week with the Galaxy Z Fold 6 and it’s an impressive device. The phone has a beautiful screen, impressive performance, and great software to name just a few of its assets. Surprisingly, it’s an excellent device for gaming, especially when you pair a foldable device like the Galaxy Z Fold 6 with the right accessories.

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But can a foldable phone really beat a PC gaming handheld? I think it can, as long as you give it a fair chance. Foldable devices will never match the performance and native compatibility of handhelds like the ROG Ally or Steam Deck. However, they do a lot of things well and might be preferred by people who want one device that can do them all.

5 Great software

The Android developer community is large and creative

The reason this conversation is even possible is because of the fantastic software support you’ll find on Android-based devices. First of all, the Android developer and enthusiast communities are huge and active, perhaps even rivaling their PC gaming counterparts. So you can emulate desktop games and operating systems on Android phones, including foldables, using software tools like Mobox and Winlator.

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Emulating desktop games is just the tip of the iceberg. Android offers a whole range of mobile games in the Google Play Store, such as Call of Duty: Mobilewhich are ideal for travelling. Others are available via sideloading, such as Fortnite. My preferred way to play games on Android is either retro game emulation or cloud gaming. I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: cloud gaming is better than you think. As long as your internet or network connection is stable, you can easily play full console or PC games on your foldable phone.

4 Excellent display quality

Foldable displays can beat even the best dedicated gaming handhelds

Foldable displays are somehow massively underrated. We often hear about their durability issues, plastic feel, and visible creases. What we don’t hear is how great they look, especially compared to their portable PC gaming counterparts. Even the best portable PC gaming devices like the Lenovo Legion Go or Steam Deck OLED have displays with fairly large bezels and relatively low resolution. For example, the Steam Deck OLED’s 1,200 x 800 resolution is paltry compared to the Galaxy Z Fold 6’s 2,160 x 1,856 resolution.

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I prefer playing games on the bright, colorful, and sharp displays of my foldable phones rather than the outdated equivalents on my Steam Deck or ROG Ally. Foldable phones have OLED panels, high resolutions, and high variable refresh rates. All the boxes are checked, and these great features combine to make for a fantastic gaming experience.

3 Extensive accessory ecosystems

With the right controller, your foldable device can have better ergonomics than a handheld

On its own, the Galaxy Z Fold 6 – or any other foldable phone – is no match for a PC gaming handheld. But with a few great accessories, foldables can compete strongly with dedicated gaming devices. The vast Android accessories ecosystem opens up many possibilities, from power banks to cooling fans to hardware controllers. I think we’ve reached the definitive form of mobile controllers with the Razr Kishi Ultra.

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It feels fantastic in the hand with microswitch buttons, satisfying joysticks and great ergonomics. It’s basically an Xbox wireless controller that can hold your foldable phone in the middle, but better than what Microsoft offers. There’s also RGB, USB-C passthrough, and a headphone jack. From a purely ergonomic standpoint, the Galaxy Z Fold 6 paired with a Razer Kishi Ultra is the best modern handheld gaming experience I’ve ever had.

2 Unmatched versatility

Foldable devices can be phones, tablets, handhelds, or really anything else

The strength of foldable phones isn’t just their gaming performance; it’s their ability to do many more things well. When you invest in a device like the Galaxy Z Fold 6 or the OnePlus Open, you’re buying an all-round device that can replace many devices in your daily use. This probably includes your phone, your tablet, and maybe a gaming handheld as well. The OnePlus Open in particular has a feature called Open Canvas that makes it an excellent multitasking and productivity device.

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For the reasons already mentioned, foldable devices are also ideal for consuming content on the go as well as gaming. If we compare just gaming performance, PC gaming handhelds outperform foldables every time. However, if you look at foldable phones holistically, you’ll see that they are multipurpose devices that are great for gaming, among many other things.

1 Maximum mobility

Foldable devices are so much thinner than a bulky handheld

If there’s one tech mantra I live by, it’s that products are only useful if you have them with you when you need them. This is precisely why I believe foldable phones have the potential to beat PC gaming handhelds, even if they fall short in spec. Foldable phones are thin enough to fit in your pocket, so you can pull them out and unfold them at a moment’s notice. Need to kill a few minutes while you wait for the bus? Pull out your Galaxy Z Fold 6. Waiting at the doctor’s office? Fold open the OnePlus Open.

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Because of the size and bulky format of handheld PC gaming devices, I usually only use them at home or on a plane. I would never take them out while waiting for a train or an appointment, especially because they are far too heavy to stay in my bag all day. Foldable devices are better because they are small, you can take them anywhere and quickly start playing when you have time.

Which one should you buy?

The decision of whether to buy a handheld PC or a foldable device for gaming really depends on your needs and anticipated use cases. No one doubts the power, performance and compatibility benefits of using something like a Steam Deck or ROG Ally. In fact, I’ve never gotten more performance out of a handheld device than when testing the new ROG Ally X.

For some, however, the benefits of a foldable device are more appealing. The versatility, software, and portability are all tempting. You should consider a foldable if you value having a gaming device you can take anywhere, but other form factors are certainly worth a look as well.

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