Omdia: Global sales of handheld PCs will reach 2.3 million units in 2025, a year-on-year increase of 32%

Zhitong
2025.09.19 02:28
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Omdia predicts that global sales of handheld PCs will reach 2.3 million units in 2025, a year-on-year increase of 32%. It is expected that annual sales will grow to 4.7 million units by 2029. Although Windows 11 has not yet fully adapted to handheld gaming, improvements are expected to gradually occur by 2025. Microsoft's collaboration with AMD will drive performance enhancements, while the release of Xbox-branded handhelds will attract a broader user base. The PlayStation Portal and the upcoming Nintendo Switch 2 will also promote the development of the handheld market

According to the latest research from Omdia, global sales of PC handhelds (including Steam Deck) are expected to reach 2.3 million units in 2025, a year-on-year increase of 32% (with sales of 1.7 million units in 2024). Omdia predicts that by 2029, annual sales of PC handhelds will reach 4.7 million units.

PC manufacturers still face challenges. Omdia's senior gaming analyst James McWhirter commented, "Currently, Windows 11 is not fully optimized for handheld gaming, and these devices have not achieved a generational leap in performance compared to market-leading products like the Steam Deck."

However, these issues are gradually improving by 2025. McWhirter added, "The upcoming new gaming mode in Windows 11 is expected to significantly enhance the user experience of PC handhelds. Meanwhile, the first Xbox-branded handheld is set to launch at the end of 2025, which is expected to attract a broader user base beyond just hardcore gamers."

Microsoft (MSFT.US) is also actively investing, and through its latest collaboration with AMD, it will provide semi-custom APUs to drive handheld devices for PC manufacturers in the future—this will help achieve a generational leap in performance.

PC handhelds serve as supplementary devices, coexisting with desktop and laptop gaming products, and a similar trend is also seen with Sony's (SONY.US) PlayStation Portal. According to Omdia's "Handheld Gaming Database" research, the PlayStation Portal has achieved over 3% attach rate with PS5 by the end of 2024.

In 2025, the launch of Nintendo Switch 2 will bring a new round of console cycles to the handheld market. Omdia predicts that the combined sales of Switch 2 and Switch will exceed 20 million units in 2025.

Omdia's senior gaming analyst James McWhirter stated, "Nintendo continues to adopt the traditional console model with Switch 2—driving sales through exclusive blockbuster content and synchronized marketing with hardware. However, it cannot replicate the glory of the original Switch. The unique selling point of the Switch—high-quality mobile gaming experience—has now become widely popular. Therefore, the upgrade cycle of Switch 2 provides opportunities for other platform manufacturers and hardware suppliers to attract the Switch user base to consider switching to their handheld products."

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