To compare the ANBERNIC RG556 and the Steam Deck, let’s examine their key specifications:
Processing Power
ANBERNIC RG556:
- CPU: Unisoc T820
- GPU: Mali-G57
- RAM: 8GB
Steam Deck:
- CPU: Custom AMD Zen 2, 4 cores/8 threads, 2.4-3.5GHz
- GPU: AMD RDNA 2 with 8 compute units, 1.0-1.6GHz
- RAM: 16GB LPDDR5[1][4]
The Steam Deck has a more powerful custom APU designed specifically for gaming, while the RG556 uses a more general-purpose mobile processor.
Display
ANBERNIC RG556:
- 5.4" AMOLED touchscreen
- 1920x1080 resolution (1080p)
Steam Deck:
- 7" LCD touchscreen (original model)
- 1280x800 resolution
- 7.4" HDR OLED touchscreen (newer model)
- 1280x800 resolution, up to 90Hz refresh rate[1][4]
The RG556 has a higher resolution but smaller AMOLED screen, while the Steam Deck offers a larger display with HDR capabilities in its OLED model.
Storage
ANBERNIC RG556:
- 128GB internal storage
Steam Deck:
- Options range from 64GB eMMC to 512GB or 1TB NVMe SSD
- MicroSD card slot for expansion[1][4]
The Steam Deck offers more storage options and expandability.
Battery
ANBERNIC RG556:
- 5000mAh battery
- Approximately 8 hours of average use
Steam Deck:
- 40Whr battery (LCD model)
- 50Whr battery (OLED model)
- 3-12 hours of gameplay depending on usage[1][4]
Both devices offer similar battery life, with the Steam Deck potentially lasting longer for less demanding tasks.
Operating System
ANBERNIC RG556:
- Android-based system
Steam Deck:
- SteamOS 3.0 (Arch Linux-based)
- KDE Plasma desktop environment[1][4]
The Steam Deck’s custom OS is optimized for PC gaming, while the RG556 uses a more familiar Android environment.
Price
ANBERNIC RG556:
- Approximately $185
Steam Deck:
- Ranges from $399 to $649 depending on the model[2]
The RG556 is significantly less expensive than the Steam Deck.
In summary, while the ANBERNIC RG556 offers a compact and more affordable option with a high-resolution AMOLED screen, the Steam Deck provides superior processing power, a larger display, more storage options, and a custom-built gaming-focused operating system. The Steam Deck is better suited for running more demanding PC games, while the RG556 is more oriented towards emulation and Android gaming.
Citations: [1] https://www.steamdeck.com/en/tech [2] https://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/steam-deck-valve-gaming-handheld [3] https://retrododo.com/anbernic-rg556-review/ [4] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steam_Deck