The main difference between the RG-353M and the Steam Deck is power.
The Steam Deck plays everything up to Wii U well, while the RG-353M tops out at Dreamcast.
Other differences
- The RG-353M measures 145 x 70.5 x 15.9 mm and weighs 232 g; the Steam Deck measures 298 x 117 x 49 mm and weighs 674 g.
- The RG-353M launched at about $146 and the Steam Deck at about $399.
- The RG-353M runs Android or Linux, the Steam Deck runs Windows or Linux.
- The RG-353M 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?
RG-353MThe RG-353M (145 x 70.5 x 15.9 mm, 232 g). The Steam Deck is 298 x 117 x 49 mm, 674 g. Only the RG-353M fits a jeans pocket.
Which is better for PS2 games, the RG-353M or the Steam Deck?
Steam DeckThe Steam Deck. It scores 100 out of 100 for PS2 against 10.
Which costs less?
RG-353MThe RG-353M, at about $146 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 50% of the RG-353M's screen at 2x.
Which has the bigger battery?
Steam DeckThe Steam Deck, at 5,200 mAh against 3,500 mAh. That is capacity only: the chips differ, and the heavier the system you play, the faster either one drains.
Side by side
| RG-353M | Steam Deck | |
|---|---|---|
| Launch price | $146 | $399 |
| Released | Nov 2022 | Feb 2022 |
| Plays well up to | Dreamcast | Wii U |
| Shape | Horizontal | Horizontal |
| Software | Android or Linux | Windows or Linux |
| Chip | RockChip RK3566 | AMD Aerith |
| Memory | 2 GB | 16 GB |
| Screen | 3.5 inch IPS 4:3 | 7.0 inch LCD 16:10 |
| Resolution | 640 x 480 | 1280 x 800 |
| Battery | 3,500 mAh | 5,200 mAh |
| Weight | 232 g | 674 g |
| Size | 145 x 70.5 x 15.9 mm | 298 x 117 x 49 mm |
| Analog sticks | Double, symmetrical | Double, symmetrical |
| Hall effect sticks | Yes | ? |
| L2 and R2 | Yes, side by side | 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
- RG-353MSteam 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. 52 comments by 41 different people compare them in community discussions. Specs, emulation scores and launch prices from the retrocatalog.com handheld database.