The main difference between the Retroid Pocket 5 and the Steam Deck is power.
The Steam Deck plays everything up to Wii U well, while the Retroid Pocket 5 tops out at PS2.
Other differences
- The Retroid Pocket 5 measures 199.2 x 78.5 x 15.6 mm and weighs 280 g; the Steam Deck measures 298 x 117 x 49 mm and weighs 674 g.
- The Retroid Pocket 5 launched at about $200 and the Steam Deck at about $399.
- The Retroid Pocket 5 runs Android or Linux, the Steam Deck runs Windows or Linux.
- The Retroid Pocket 5 has an AMOLED screen with true blacks; the Steam Deck uses a LCD panel.
Which is better
Which fits in a pocket better?
Retroid Pocket 5The Retroid Pocket 5 (199.2 x 78.5 x 15.6 mm, 280 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 5 or the Steam Deck?
Steam DeckThe Steam Deck. It scores 100 out of 100 for PS2 against 86.
Which costs less?
Retroid Pocket 5The Retroid Pocket 5, at about $200 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 67% of the Retroid Pocket 5's screen at 6x.
Which has the bigger battery?
TieAbout the same: 5,000 and 5,200 mAh.
Side by side
| Retroid Pocket 5 | Steam Deck | |
|---|---|---|
| Launch price | $200 | $399 |
| Released | Nov 2024 | Feb 2022 |
| Plays well up to | PS2 | Wii U |
| Shape | Horizontal | Horizontal |
| Software | Android or Linux | Windows or Linux |
| Chip | Qualcomm Snapdragon 865 | AMD Aerith |
| Memory | 8 GB | 16 GB |
| Screen | 5.5 inch AMOLED 16:9 | 7.0 inch LCD 16:10 |
| Resolution | 1920 x 1080 | 1280 x 800 |
| Battery | 5,000 mAh | 5,200 mAh |
| Weight | 280 g | 674 g |
| Size | 199.2 x 78.5 x 15.6 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 | 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 5Steam 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
We may earn a commission when you buy through these links.
More comparisons
Why this pair: buyers weigh these two against each other. 191 comments by 153 different people compare them in community discussions, and 12 post titles name both. Specs, emulation scores and launch prices from the retrocatalog.com handheld database.