The main difference between the RG-556 and the Steam Deck is power.
The Steam Deck plays everything up to Wii U well, while the RG-556 tops out at Wii.
Other differences
- The RG-556 measures 223 x 90 x 15-25 mm and weighs 331 g; the Steam Deck measures 298 x 117 x 49 mm and weighs 674 g.
- The RG-556 launched at about $175 and the Steam Deck at about $399.
- The RG-556 runs Android, the Steam Deck runs Windows or Linux.
- The RG-556 has an AMOLED screen with true blacks; the Steam Deck uses a LCD panel.
Which is better
Which fits in a pocket better?
RG-556The RG-556 (223 x 90 x 15-25 mm, 331 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-556 or the Steam Deck?
Steam DeckThe Steam Deck. It scores 100 out of 100 for PS2 against 74.
Which costs less?
RG-556The RG-556, at about $175 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 RG-556's screen at 6x.
Which has the bigger battery?
TieAbout the same: 5,500 and 5,200 mAh.
Side by side
| RG-556 | Steam Deck | |
|---|---|---|
| Launch price | $175 | $399 |
| Released | Mar 2024 | Feb 2022 |
| Plays well up to | Wii | Wii U |
| Shape | Horizontal | Horizontal |
| Software | Android | Windows or Linux |
| Chip | UNISOC Tiger T820 | AMD Aerith |
| Memory | 8 GB | 16 GB |
| Screen | 5.48 inch AMOLED 16:9 | 7.0 inch LCD 16:10 |
| Resolution | 1920 x 1080 | 1280 x 800 |
| Battery | 5,500 mAh | 5,200 mAh |
| Weight | 331 g | 674 g |
| Size | 223 x 90 x 15-25 mm | 298 x 117 x 49 mm |
| Analog sticks | Double, asymmetrical | 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
- RG-556Steam 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. 96 comments by 62 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.