A new gaming PC handheld is on the way, the Zotac Zone, and its release date isn’t too far away at all. We recently called the Zotac Zone the next big competitor for the Steam Deck OLED, but when will it come out? Here we’ll explain everything you need to know about this new device regarding the launch date, as well as a look at the specs and price.
There have been many new handhelds hitting the market as of late, but we’d have to say that the Steam Deck is still on top for many people. The Zone is another attempt to capitalize on the popularity of this form factor and provides an interesting alternative to what’s already on the market.
Zotac Zone release date window rumored
From what we know so far, Zotac has plans to release the Zone gaming handheld in September 2024. This date has been reported by several outlets, including Videocardz, though Zotac itself has yet to announce an exact date. Ever since it was first teased, we’ve been looking forward to any news about it – and plenty more was revealed in the run-up to and during Computex this year.
So, with the Zone soon on its way, it will finally provide us with another OLED display handheld – which is what we’d say is the biggest selling point up against some of its other Windows-based competitors such as the ASUS ROG Ally and MSI Claw, both of which are getting updated models in the Ally X and MSI Claw 8 AI+.
Zotac Zone specs leaked
Even ahead of Computex, where a production model of the Zone was previewed, the specs were leaked. You can take a closer look at the device on the Zotac website, which confirms a few things, but there are some more in-depth specs already out there to take a look at. See the table below for all the details of what we know so far.
| Specification | Details |
|---|---|
| Architecture | AMD Zen 4 & RDNA 3 |
| Processor | AMD Ryzen 7 8840U APU |
| Graphics | AMD Radeon 780M graphics (15W default, 28W max) |
| External GPU | USB4 |
| RAM | 16GB LPDDR5X-7500 |
| Storage | 512GB M.2 NVMe SSD (2280) |
| Display | 7-inch native portrait AMOLED Multi-Touch Display, up to 800 nits, 1M:1 contrast ratio, HDR ready |
| Resolution | 1920 x 1080 |
| Refresh rate | 120Hz |
| Joystick/Buttons | Hall Effect Joystick and Triggers, 2-stage Adjustable Triggers, Radial Dial, Dual Trackpads |
| Connectivity | UHS-II microSD slot, USB4 ports |
| Battery | Li-ion battery (48.5Wh), estimated 1.25 hours runtime |
| Operating System | Windows 11 Home |
| Dimensions | 31 x 13.5 x 4 cm |
| Weight | Less than 700g |
By looking at the Zone below, we can see that it quite closely resembles the Steam Deck, especially with the dual trackpad design which is missing on some other comparable handhelds. However, like most other recent entries to the market, the Zone will be using Windows 11 instead of Steam’s very own Linux-based SteamOS.
Zotac Zone price estimate
The exact pricing of the Zotac Zone is yet to be confirmed, but some rumors and estimates are already here to see. According to Geeknetic, it is expected to launch around the $800 mark, which puts it on the pricier end of the spectrum and around the same cost as the new ROG Ally X.
If this is indeed the case, then we think the Zone could be a tough sell to many people, with the OLED screen perhaps being one of the main reasons for its high price. Considering that newer Ryzen AI APUs will be around by the time the Zone launches, it may see the same fate as the underwhelming MSI Claw.
Will the Zotac Zone be cheaper than the Steam Deck OLED?
Based on what we know right now, no, the Zotac Zone will be considerably more expensive than the Steam Deck OLED. Valve’s OLED handheld is currently available from $549 for the 512GB model, whereas the Zone is expected to reach as high as $800 according to current estimates.
Does the Zotac Zone have a variable refresh rate?
According to Videocardz, it has been revealed that the Zone does not feature a variable refresh rate. This is due to using a MIPI display. Variable refresh rate, often shorted to VRR, helps sync the refresh rate (measured in Hz) to your in-game framerate (FPS) for a more stable and stutter-free or screen-tear-free experience. This feature has been well-received on the ROG Ally, while other handhelds are lacking in this department, now including the Zotac Zone.
