The GPD Pocket 4 isn’t just a laptop, a tablet, or a gaming handheld – it’s a fascinating blend of all three. While not explicitly marketed as a gaming device like the Steam Deck, this mini-PC houses some of the latest hardware, making it a serious contender in the portable computing world.
The standout feature is undoubtedly the AMD Zen 5 Ryzen AI 9 HX 370 (12 cores/24 threads) processor, which makes the Pocket 4 the first handheld to boast this powerful chip. This, coupled with the Radeon 890M iGPU, promises to deliver superior performance compared to competitors like the ROG Ally X, especially when it comes to gaming.
Beyond its processing prowess, the GPD Pocket 4 is equipped with an impressive 8.8-inch 2,560 by 1,600 touchscreen boasting a 144Hz refresh rate and up to 500 nits of brightness. It’s also packed with features like LPDDR5X RAM running at 7,500MT/s, up to 4TB of SSD storage, and an array of ports, including one Type-C USB 4 port, one Type-C USB 3.2 port, two Type-A USB ports (one 3.2 and one 2.0), one HDMI 2.1, a 3.5mm audio jack, a microSD card reader, and a 2.5Gbps Ethernet port for wired connections.
While GPD highlights the device’s versatility, it doesn’t explicitly market it as a gaming powerhouse. However, the performance potential is undeniable. The integrated keyboard is ideal for both gamers and creative professionals, and the Pocket 4’s ability to transform into laptop and tablet modes, along with its 180-degree rotating screen, makes it a highly flexible device. In essence, it functions more like a miniature 2-in-1 laptop than a dedicated gaming handheld.
Despite its impressive hardware, there’s a slight caveat. The GPD Pocket 4’s Ryzen AI 9 HX 370 processor is limited to 28 watts, whereas the chip typically operates at 54 watts. This power limitation is understandable given the device’s small size but means that users won’t experience the full potential of the processor. While this may have hindered its potential as the most powerful gaming handheld, it remains to be seen how it will stack up against the Z1 Extreme.
At present, there’s no official release date or pricing information available for the GPD Pocket 4. However, the sheer innovative nature of this device makes it an intriguing proposition, even if its ultimate performance remains uncertain.
