The main difference between the Retroid Pocket Classic and the Steam Deck is power.
The Steam Deck plays everything up to Wii U well, while the Retroid Pocket Classic tops out at Wii.
Other differences
- The Retroid Pocket Classic measures 89.9 x 138 x 26 mm and weighs 223 g; the Steam Deck measures 298 x 117 x 49 mm and weighs 674 g.
- The Retroid Pocket Classic is a vertical, Game Boy shaped, the Steam Deck is a horizontal.
- The Retroid Pocket Classic launched at about $120 and the Steam Deck at about $399.
- The Steam Deck has two analog sticks; the Retroid Pocket Classic has none.
Which is better
Which fits in a pocket better?
Retroid Pocket ClassicThe Retroid Pocket Classic (89.9 x 138 x 26 mm, 223 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 Classic or the Steam Deck?
Steam DeckThe Steam Deck. It scores 100 out of 100 for PS2 against 76.
Which costs less?
Retroid Pocket ClassicThe Retroid Pocket Classic, 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 72% of the Retroid Pocket Classic's screen at 5x.
Which has the bigger battery?
TieAbout the same: 5,000 and 5,200 mAh.
Side by side
| Retroid Pocket Classic | Steam Deck | |
|---|---|---|
| Launch price | $120 | $399 |
| Released | Apr 2025 | Feb 2022 |
| Plays well up to | Wii | Wii U |
| Shape | Vertical | Horizontal |
| Software | Android | Windows or Linux |
| Chip | Qualcomm Snapdragon G1 Gen 2 | AMD Aerith |
| Memory | 4 GB | 16 GB |
| Screen | 3.92 inch AMOLED | 7.0 inch LCD 16:10 |
| Resolution | 1240 x 1080 | 1280 x 800 |
| Battery | 5,000 mAh | 5,200 mAh |
| Weight | 223 g | 674 g |
| Size | 89.9 x 138 x 26 mm | 298 x 117 x 49 mm |
| Analog sticks | None | Double, symmetrical |
| L2 and R2 | Yes, side by side | Yes, stacked |
| Analog triggers | ? | Yes |
| Wi-Fi | Yes | Yes |
| Video out | No | Yes |
| Headphone jack | Yes | Yes |
Green marks the better value where one is clearly better. Prices are launch prices.
Emulation
- Retroid Pocket ClassicSteam 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. 40 comments by 34 different people compare them in community discussions, and 2 post titles name both. Specs, emulation scores and launch prices from the retrocatalog.com handheld database.