Tencent Unveils Gaming Handheld with Large Screen and High-End Specs, Despite Limited Appeal

What You Need to Know

Tencent, the tech giant from China, is reportedly working on a new gaming handheld called the 3D One, with support from Intel. This intriguing piece of tech is said to boast a 3D screen, an Intel Lunar Lake processor, 32GB of RAM, and a 1TB SSD. And yes, it seems to have detachable controllers similar to the Nintendo Switch and an impressive 11-inch display, bigger than that of the Legion Go. For now, details on its release date and pricing are under wraps. OPINION: The cutting-edge specs of this device might make it too pricey to go mainstream.

Just yesterday, Tencent lifted the curtain on its development of a new gaming handheld, reportedly with Intel’s technical support. This scoop first came from IT Home, with Wccftech jumping in for further coverage. Using Google Translate on IT Home’s original post, I discovered that this device is being crafted as an experimental creation, boasting "naked-eye 3D technology."

VideoCardz has even shared a video showcasing the 3D One’s eye-tracking feature. Imagine playing a game without looking directly at the screen! A potentially clever gimmick, or perhaps the device echoes what the Nintendo Wii U tried—splitting onscreen elements between the handheld and a TV.

3D One Specs

• Price: Unknown
• APU: Intel Core Ultra 7 258SV
• GPU: Intel Arc 140V (Xe2-LPG architecture)
• Display: 11-inch 2.5K (2560×1440), 120Hz
• Memory: 32GB LPDDR5x
• Storage: Up to 1TB SSD
• Battery: 100W charging, capacity unknown
• OS: Unknown
• Features: Naked-eye 3D, 3D eye tracking, detachable controllers
• Ports: 2x USB-C, 1x USB-A, 1x microSD card reader, 1x headphone jack
• Release Date: Unknown

With this being an experimental device, it’s still a mystery whether it’ll hit the market or its potential price tag. For what we know, the specs hint at a device that won’t come cheap. It carries the latest Intel Lunar Lake mobile APU—Intel’s Core Ultra 7 258SV—paired with Intel Arc 140V graphics. While it’s hard to say how it measures up against popular options like the AMD Z1 Extreme APU found in Legion Go and ROG Ally, this gaming powerhouse might deliver solid performance.

Take a peek at the images and the video above, and you’ll notice this handheld is massive. Right now, most PC gaming handhelds, like the Steam Deck and ROG Ally, flaunt a 7-inch screen. Even the Legion Go, the largest for now, only goes up to 8.8 inches. In contrast, the 3D One boasts a hefty 11-inch 2.5K screen capable of supporting a 120Hz refresh rate. Clearly, it is stretching the "handheld" definition. Though details on response time are a mystery.

Like the Switch, the 3D One’s controllers can detach, complete with a built-in kickstand for tabletop play—a design choice likely aimed at offsetting the device’s substantial heft. The layout suggests buttons to release the controllers sit on their lower backsides.

Port-wise, the 3D One seems equipped with USB-C ports, a USB-A port, a microSD card reader, and a headphone jack. A 2D/3D mode switch is positioned near the power button, offering flexibility in viewing modes, much like the Nintendo 3DS. Meanwhile, features like "Hall Effect" joysticks signal high precision, free from drift.

If This Handheld Releases, It’s Going to Be Extremely Expensive

Handheld gaming PCs are all the rage, but these devices come with trade-offs to keep prices within reach. Despite this, many still carry a hefty price tag. Case in point, the ROG Ally starts at $499.99, although discounts have brought it down to $349.99 at Best Buy currently.

The Tencent x Intel 3D One, packed with high-end specs and unique features, likely points to a price exceeding any mainstream gaming handheld available today. Given this, I don’t foresee it gaining widespread popularity. It’s likely too expensive, coupled with another snag.

Remember the Nintendo 3DS and its attempted 3D gaming revolution back in 2011? A fascinating gimmick, yet I recall few gamers sticking to 3D mode. Many preferred the simplicity offered by its 2D sibling, the 2DS. Concerns over children’s eye health at that time even led to recommendations for turning off 3D.

Despite some intriguing 3D monitors on display at tech conventions, I find this technology a bit of a headache magnet, not poised to endure. Only when we’re talking genuine holograms will the direction shift, perhaps, but for now, I can’t imagine the Tencent 3D One igniting a 3D handheld gaming trend.

Creating devices packed with jaw-dropping specs that never quite make it to market isn’t unheard of. To me, the 3D One appears to follow this path. But who knows, Tencent might just pull a surprise from up their sleeve and launch it someday.