The main difference between the Retroid Pocket 3 and the Steam Deck is power.
The Steam Deck plays everything up to Wii U well, while the Retroid Pocket 3 tops out at PSP.
Other differences
- The Retroid Pocket 3 measures 184.65 x 81.38 x 24.23 mm and weighs 230 g; the Steam Deck measures 298 x 117 x 49 mm and weighs 674 g.
- The Retroid Pocket 3 launched at about $120 and the Steam Deck at about $399.
- The Retroid Pocket 3 runs Android, the Steam Deck runs Windows or Linux.
- The Steam Deck has a 7.0 inch screen against 4.7 inches on the Retroid Pocket 3.
Which is better
Which fits in a pocket better?
Retroid Pocket 3The Retroid Pocket 3 (184.65 x 81.38 x 24.23 mm, 230 g). The Steam Deck is 298 x 117 x 49 mm, 674 g. Neither fits a jeans pocket; think jacket pocket or bag.
Which is better for PS2 games, the Retroid Pocket 3 or the Steam Deck?
Steam DeckThe Steam Deck. It scores 100 out of 100 for PS2 against 20.
Which costs less?
Retroid Pocket 3The Retroid Pocket 3, at about $120 at launch against $399. Prices today vary by store and the used market.
Which is better for GBA games?
Steam DeckThe Steam Deck. GBA games fill 94% of the Steam Deck's screen at 5x with even pixels, against 61% of the Retroid Pocket 3's screen at 4x.
Which has the bigger battery?
Steam DeckThe Steam Deck, at 5,200 mAh against 4,000 mAh. That is capacity only: the chips differ, and the heavier the system you play, the faster either one drains.
Side by side
| Retroid Pocket 3 | Steam Deck | |
|---|---|---|
| Launch price | $120 | $399 |
| Released | Aug 2022 | Feb 2022 |
| Plays well up to | PSP | Wii U |
| Shape | Horizontal | Horizontal |
| Software | Android | Windows or Linux |
| Chip | UNISOC Tiger T310 | AMD Aerith |
| Memory | 2 GB | 16 GB |
| Screen | 4.7 inch IPS 16:9 | 7.0 inch LCD 16:10 |
| Resolution | 1334 x 750 | 1280 x 800 |
| Battery | 4,000 mAh | 5,200 mAh |
| Weight | 230 g | 674 g |
| Size | 184.65 x 81.38 x 24.23 mm | 298 x 117 x 49 mm |
| Analog sticks | Double, symmetrical | Double, symmetrical |
| Hall effect sticks | Yes | ? |
| L2 and R2 | Yes, stacked | Yes, stacked |
| Analog triggers | ? | Yes |
| Wi-Fi | Yes | Yes |
| Video out | Yes | Yes |
| Headphone jack | Yes | Yes |
Green marks the better value where one is clearly better. Prices are launch prices.
Emulation
- Retroid Pocket 3Steam Deck
- Game Boy
- NES
- Genesis
- GBA
- SNES
- PS1
- DS
- N64
- Dreamcast
- PSP
- Saturn
- GameCube
- 3DS
- Wii
- PS2
- Switch
- Wii U
- PS3
100 means the system runs at full speed with no known issues.
Full details
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More comparisons
Why this pair: buyers weigh these two against each other. 38 comments by 32 different people compare them in community discussions. Specs, emulation scores and launch prices from the retrocatalog.com handheld database.