(NewsNation) — Global sales of PC gaming handhelds, including Valve’s Steam Deck, are projected to reach 2.3 million units this year, according to new research from Omdia.
That would mark a 32% increase from last year, when 1.7 million devices were sold. Omdia forecasts yearly sales will grow to 4.7 million by 2029.
Despite the growth, analysts say PC vendors still face challenges.
“Windows 11 is currently poorly suited to handheld gaming, and devices are not delivering a generational leap in performance over the market-leading Steam Deck,” said James McWhirter, senior games analyst at Omdia.
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He noted improvements are being made, with a refreshed gaming mode in Windows 11 expected to “drastically improve” the handheld experience. The launch of the first “Xbox-branded handhelds” later this year, coupled with Microsoft’s partnership to develop semi-custom APUs, could bring significant performance gains and broader appeal.
Meanwhile, the Nintendo Switch 2 is ushering in a new console cycle. Omdia forecasts combined sales of more than 20 million units of the Switch 2 and Switch in 2025.
