DeviiHardware6 min read
PC handhelds remain niche beside Switch 2 volume
Steam Deck and Windows handhelds still matter to enthusiasts, but Nintendo Switch 2's nearly 20 million first-year units show how different a software-locked hybrid platform remains.
PC handhelds had a great few years of attention. In raw volume, they are still not in the same conversation as Nintendo Switch 2. Nearly 20 million Switch 2 units in the first fiscal year dwarf the combined enthusiast lane of Steam Deck-class devices.
Different jobs
A Windows handheld sells flexibility and your existing Steam library. Switch 2 sells a curated store, first-party exclusives, and a living-room dock story parents understand. Both can be excellent. Only one currently moves like a mainstream appliance.
Healthy coexistence
The interesting 2026 trend is crossover expectations: more AAA PC games chasing Deck verification, while Nintendo protects software margins. Players win when both lanes keep shipping.