Sony Project Q vs. Valve Steam Deck? Which handled is best?

Choosing between Sony's Project Q and Valve's Steam Deck boils down to individual preferences, needs, and existing gaming setups.

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Since Sony's Project Q announcement, the handheld gaming scene has been buzzing with excitement. Some good, some bad.

A comparison between the upcoming Sony Project Q and Valve's Steam Deck is essential to understand better what each device brings to the table.

This article breaks down their specs, designs, performance, and pricing while incorporating charts, statistics, and quotes for a more comprehensive perspective.

Project Q, designed as an accessory to the PS5, uses Remote Play to connect it to the console, unlike the standalone Steam Deck. Both devices sport different designs and specifications, as detailed below:

At first glance, comparing specs might seem like a simple task. But hold onto your hats – things are about to get complicated since these contenders differ more than you’d think:

Display: 7-inch, 1280×800, 60Hz, 400 nit brightnessProcessor: AMD APU (Zen 2, 8 RDNA 2 CUs graphics card)Memory: 16GB LPDDR5 5500 MT/sStorage: 64GB eMMC / 256GB NVMe SSD / 512GB high-speed NVMe SSD

Display: 8-inch, 1920×1080, 16:9 aspect ratio, 60Hz (rumored)Connectivity: Wi-Fi (6E rumored), PS5 Remote Play

In terms of performance, the Steam Deck lags behind the power of PS5 when used by Project Q; however, this does not make the steam deck obsolete as various factors have to be taken into consideration.

Remote Play reliability may affect Project Q enjoyment, while the Steam Deck maintains steady performance due to its on-device hardware.

Streamliner or console devotees, their unique offerings will have you drooling. Variety is the spice of life, and our tech titans pack some serious heat when it comes to game libraries:

A mega library with something for everyone. Seamlessly play Windows-only games on Linux using Proton (mind = blown). Never-ending indie gems

Come at me, Sony die-hards! Your favorite PS5-exclusive titles await. Remote Play lets you stream all day Station 5 library in hand mode. Yes, please

When comparing prices, the Steam Deck has three tiers depending on storage capacity:

Although no specific pricing details have been released for Project Q, estimates place it in the $200-$300 range as it relies on PS5 hardware and doesn't include its storage.

Each device has its brag-worthy points:

But make no mistake; if there's one thing to keep in your back pocket, it's that Sony seems like they’re going to invest a ton into Project Q.

Jim Ryan, President & CEO of Sony Interactive Entertainment during the PlayStation Showcase:

"It also highlights the tremendous popularity and power of the PS5 as the global development community rallies to push its advanced capabilities to the limit," Ryan said, following the event. "We’re investing heavily in the future with innovative best-in-class hardware like PlayStation VR2 and the newly revealed Project Q, and our expansion into PC, Mobile and Live Service gaming is transforming how and where our content can be enjoyed."

In simple terms, deciding between Sony's Project Q and Valve's Steam Deck depends on what you personally prefer, need, and what gaming equipment you have.

For example, if you’re someone who owns a PlayStation 5 and find and built a community of friends who all play together online, then the Steam Deck isn't for you.

On the other hand, PC gamers don't need to hear why ditching our Steam library for a PlayStation 5 is a good idea. Truthfully, PC gamers don't listen to anyone (bless their hearts), so I’m not even going to bother.

But just in case, it's important to compare the good and bad of each before diving in head first. Either or though, you’re not getting a bad console.

If you do prefer to go the Steam Deck route, do yourself a favor and check out our best Steam Deck accessories post. This otta keep you busy for a while.

Have any thoughts on this? Drop us a line below in the comments, or carry the discussion over to our Twitter or Facebook.

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Kevin is KnowTechie's founder and executive editor. With over 15 years of blogging experience in the tech industry, Kevin has transformed what was once a passion project into a full-blown tech news publication. Shoot him an email at [email protected] or find him on Mastodon or Post.

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