The market for gaming handhelds has completely blown up following the success of the Steam Deck, and plenty of manufacturers already have a gaming handheld you can buy or are working on a new one. Whether you're looking for a handheld to play PC games, Android games, or retro games, there's an option for everyone. But as we move toward the second generation of PC gaming handhelds, is it worth waiting it out and seeing what new releases are coming?

That largely depends on what kind of handheld you're considering. While some next-generation handhelds are right around the corner, others could be years away or are not confirmed to be receiving a successor at all. Let's unpack what the future holds for handheld gaming devices, and find out whether you should buy one now or wait a little longer.

If you're looking to buy a Windows gaming handheld, wait

The Asus ROG Ally X and Lenovo Legion Go 2 are both confirmed

There are a handful of subcategories that separate the swath of gaming handhelds on the market, but PC gaming handhelds are divided into two main categories: Windows-based and Linux-based. As it turns out, the answer to whether you should buy a gaming handheld today or wait a while is strongly related to if you want a Windows or Linux handheld. For those in the first camp, it's probably best to wait and avoid purchasing a Windows-based gaming handheld right now. There are just too many leaks, rumors, and official confirmations regarding Windows gaming handhelds that are currently in the works — including the Asus ROG Ally X and the Lenovo Legion Go 2. If I was about to spend my own money on a new device, I'd want to at least see what these upcoming devices have in store.

Of those two, the ROG Ally X is the known quantity. We don't have a lot of concrete details yet, but Asus confirmed that the ROG Ally X is set for a reveal in June 2024 — in other words, next month. No official upgrades or improvements were shared, but battery, memory, and storage are aspects of the ROG Ally that could be improved with the next iteration. The Verge had a very restricted hands-on with the device, and noticed design changes, and learned from Asus SVP Shawn Yen that the ROG Ally X will bring "way more" than a 40% improvement in battery capacity. Those possibilities are enough to make it worth waiting at least a month to see how much of an improvement the ROG Ally X is over the current lineup of Windows handhelds.

The Lenovo Legion Go had so much potential, and that's why we were disappointed to see it fall short of other high-end handhelds. But that potential is the same reason why a Lenovo Legion Go 2 could be a game-changer for PC gaming handhelds. Lenovo confirmed that it does plan on releasing a Lenovo Legion Go 2, although it will come far after the ROG Ally X. Unlike Asus' next-generation handheld, Lenovo's Legion Go successor doesn't have any sort of set timetable, and could be a year or more out from release.

If we consider the currently-available PC gaming handheld options the "first generation," the next generation could bring big things. Most second-generation products are vastly improved from their original counterparts, and that's why the ROG Ally X and Lenovo Legion Go 2 could be a massive upgrade. I bought the current ROG Ally last November and am quite happy with it, but if I was trying to buy one today, I'd absolutely wait and see what's in store before purchasing.

If you want a Steam Deck, get one right now

The Steam Deck OLED is the best we're going to get for a few years

Now, if you want a Linux gaming handheld — for most people, this will be the Steam Deck — you should buy one immediately. Unlike the aforementioned Windows handhelds, we aren't expecting a Steam Deck 2 any time soon. In a November 2023 interview with Bloomberg, Valve designer Lawrence Yang said that a performance upgrade for the Steam Deck is at least two or three years away. That pushes a potential Steam Deck 2 launch back to 2025 or 2026 at the earliest. You shouldn't wait that long to buy a PC gaming handheld when the Steam Deck OLED is still so good in 2024.

Any time is a good time to buy a retro handheld

Today's hardware is all you need, but more creative and cool concepts are always coming out

Most people are probably considering a PC gaming handheld, but what about if you're toying with the idea of a retro gaming handheld? Luckily, there really isn't a bad time to buy a retro device. The performance demands for retro games are incredibly low, retro gaming handhelds are cheap, and there are constantly new ones coming out. Whether you buy a retro gaming handheld today or a few years from now, you know you're going to get the best experience. New ones are coming out all the time, like the Retroid Pocket 4 Pro we recently reviewed and the Ayaneo Pocket DMG that was just announced last week.

To buy or to wait?

At the end of the day, it all comes down to whether you're happy with the gaming handheld options presently available. If you'll be disappointed with your purchase when the ROG Ally X comes out, it's better to hold off on buying a handheld today. However, if you think you'd rather start using your gaming handheld immediately than wait for what might be a better option in the future, you should buy one now.