The main difference between the RG-353V and the Steam Deck is power.
The Steam Deck plays everything up to Wii U well, while the RG-353V tops out at Dreamcast.
Other differences
- The RG-353V measures 83 x 126 x 21 mm and weighs 180 g; the Steam Deck measures 298 x 117 x 49 mm and weighs 674 g.
- The RG-353V is a vertical, Game Boy shaped, the Steam Deck is a horizontal.
- The RG-353V launched at about $113 and the Steam Deck at about $399.
- The RG-353V runs Android or Linux, the Steam Deck runs Windows or Linux.
Which is better
Which fits in a pocket better?
RG-353VThe RG-353V (83 x 126 x 21 mm, 180 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 RG-353V or the Steam Deck?
Steam DeckThe Steam Deck. It scores 100 out of 100 for PS2 against 10.
Which costs less?
RG-353VThe RG-353V, at about $113 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-353V's screen at 2x.
Which has the bigger battery?
Steam DeckThe Steam Deck, at 5,200 mAh against 3,200 mAh. That is capacity only: the chips differ, and the heavier the system you play, the faster either one drains.
Side by side
| RG-353V | Steam Deck | |
|---|---|---|
| Launch price | $113 | $399 |
| Released | Sep 2022 | Feb 2022 |
| Plays well up to | Dreamcast | Wii U |
| Shape | Vertical | 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 | 3,200 mAh | 5,200 mAh |
| Weight | 180 g | 674 g |
| Size | 83 x 126 x 21 mm | 298 x 117 x 49 mm |
| Analog sticks | Double, symmetrical | Double, symmetrical |
| 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-353VSteam 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. 47 comments by 40 different people compare them in community discussions, and 3 post titles name both. Specs, emulation scores and launch prices from the retrocatalog.com handheld database.