The main difference between the Steam Deck and the Thor is power.
The Steam Deck plays everything up to Wii U well, while the Thor tops out at PS2.
Other differences
- The Thor measures 150 x 94 x 25.6 mm and weighs 380 g; the Steam Deck measures 298 x 117 x 49 mm and weighs 674 g.
- The Steam Deck is a horizontal, the Thor is a clamshell that folds shut.
- The Steam Deck runs Windows or Linux, the Thor runs Android.
- The Thor has an AMOLED screen with true blacks; the Steam Deck uses a LCD panel.
Which is better
Which fits in a pocket better?
ThorThe Thor (150 x 94 x 25.6 mm, 380 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 Steam Deck or the Thor?
Steam DeckThe Steam Deck. It scores 100 out of 100 for PS2 against 86.
Which costs less?
ThorThe Thor, at about $290 at launch against $399. Prices today vary by store and the used market.
Which is better for GBA games?
TieBoth play GBA (100 and 100 out of 100).
Which has the bigger battery?
ThorThe Thor, at 6,000 mAh against 5,200 mAh. That is capacity only: the chips differ, and the heavier the system you play, the faster either one drains.
Side by side
| Steam Deck | Thor | |
|---|---|---|
| Launch price | $399 | $290 |
| Released | Feb 2022 | Oct 2025 |
| Plays well up to | Wii U | PS2 |
| Shape | Horizontal | Clamshell |
| Software | Windows or Linux | Android |
| Chip | AMD Aerith | Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 |
| Memory | 16 GB | 8 GB |
| Screen | 7.0 inch LCD 16:10 | Two screens: 6 inch and 3.92 inch AMOLED |
| Resolution | 1280 x 800 | 1920 x 1080, 1240 x 1080 |
| Battery | 5,200 mAh | 6,000 mAh |
| Weight | 674 g | 380 g |
| Size | 298 x 117 x 49 mm | 150 x 94 x 25.6 mm |
| Analog sticks | Double, symmetrical | Double, asymmetrical |
| 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
- Steam DeckThor
- 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.
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More comparisons
Why this pair: buyers weigh these two against each other. 104 comments by 96 different people compare them in community discussions, and 23 post titles name both. Specs, emulation scores and launch prices from the retrocatalog.com handheld database.