Samsung is Making a ROG Ally and Legion Go Competitor But With a ‘Twist’

As a PlayStation 5 user, I love playing 4K games on big screens. However, handheld consoles like the ASUS ROG Ally and Lenovo Legion Go have made my life easier by bringing PC games to smaller screens.

I can play titles like GTA V, Cyberpunk 2077, Marvel's Spider-Man, The Witcher 3 and many more on the go, whether I’m in the metro, a car or virtually anywhere. I no longer need to rely on a PC for these experiences.

However, there’s one issue with these handheld gaming consoles: portability. With their larger dimensions, they’re not the most convenient devices to carry around. I usually need a bag to transport them, as holding them in hand for long stretches isn’t practical.

That’s precisely the problem Samsung plans to address with one of its potential upcoming devices. The Korean tech giant is reportedly working on its own handheld gaming console, according to a patent. But this won’t be just another ordinary gaming console, read on to find out why.

Samsung’s flip gaming console

Samsung has filed a patent on the WIPO (World Intellectual Property Organization) website with the title “Electronics Games Console.” The patent sketches reveal a handheld gaming console that looks quite similar to the ones currently available on the market.

The design includes two joystick controls and two buttons on each side. The joysticks are raised, while the other buttons are designed to be pressed down.

Samsung’s innovation lies in solving a key issue with these devices: portability.

The sketches show that Samsung’s gaming console can fold, much like its Galaxy Z Flip series phones. Once folded, the device becomes significantly more compact, making it easier to carry around.

It appears Samsung plans to use its Flex display technology to create this unique form factor. When folded, only the joysticks remain visible, while the other buttons are neatly pressed down, further reducing the device’s size.

Will this become a reality?

As of now, Samsung has only filed the patent for what could be its first flip handheld gaming console. While the concept looks appealing, we still don’t know if it will ever see the green light or not.

A foldable gaming console would require significant investment in research and development. Samsung would need to incorporate a protective film for the display and manage the inevitable crease that comes with foldable designs. Furthermore, as a gaming device, it would need to deliver features like a high refresh rate and accurate, vibrant colours that could make its development even more challenging.

Given these complexities, it could take Samsung several years to turn this patent into a reality.

Is Samsung entering the gaming industry?

India is one of the largest gaming markets in the world. Hence, Samsung entering this space wouldn’t be entirely surprising. The company has already ventured into a variety of industries and gaming could be its next big move.

Currently, brands like Asus, Lenovo, and MSI dominate the gaming console segment. In the handheld gaming category specifically, products like the Asus ROG Ally, MSI Claw and Lenovo Legion Go are popular options.

Among these, the Asus ROG Ally, priced at INR 37,990, is the most affordable and poses stiff competition. For Samsung, launching a foldable gaming console at a competitive price would be a significant challenge.

India’s market is highly price-sensitive and a foldable gaming device from Samsung would likely cater to premium, high-end users rather than budget-conscious buyers.

Only time will tell if Samsung decides to move forward with this project. We might get more details in the coming months.

If you are planning to buy a gaming gadget under INR 50,000, make sure you check our video below.