The main difference between the Retroid Pocket Mini and the Steam Deck is power.
The Steam Deck plays everything up to Wii U well, while the Retroid Pocket Mini tops out at PS2.
Other differences
- The Retroid Pocket Mini measures 165.28 x 77.62 x 16.5 - 29.3 mm and weighs 215 g; the Steam Deck measures 298 x 117 x 49 mm and weighs 674 g.
- The Retroid Pocket Mini launched at about $189 and the Steam Deck at about $399.
- The Retroid Pocket Mini runs Android or Linux, the Steam Deck runs Windows or Linux.
- The Retroid Pocket Mini has a 4:3 screen and the Steam Deck a 16:10 one, so different systems fill each.
Which is better
Which fits in a pocket better?
Retroid Pocket MiniThe Retroid Pocket Mini (165.28 x 77.62 x 16.5 - 29.3 mm, 215 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 Mini or the Steam Deck?
Steam DeckThe Steam Deck. It scores 100 out of 100 for PS2 against 88.
Which costs less?
Retroid Pocket MiniThe Retroid Pocket Mini, at about $189 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 78% of the Retroid Pocket Mini's screen at 5x.
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 Mini | Steam Deck | |
|---|---|---|
| Launch price | $189 | $399 |
| Released | Sep 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 | 6 GB | 16 GB |
| Screen | 3.7 inch AMOLED 4:3 | 7.0 inch LCD 16:10 |
| Resolution | 1280 x 960 | 1280 x 800 |
| Battery | 4,000 mAh | 5,200 mAh |
| Weight | 215 g | 674 g |
| Size | 165.28 x 77.62 x 16.5 - 29.3 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 MiniSteam 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. 63 comments by 47 different people compare them in community discussions. Specs, emulation scores and launch prices from the retrocatalog.com handheld database.