Tencent and Qualcomm Working on Rivals for Nintendo Switch
The Chinese and Americans are working on portable consoles that can compete with Japan's Nintendo Switch. Both Qualcom's and Tencent's devices show great similarities in design or features.
- Qualcomm is working on a portable console that, like the Nintendo Switch, is supposed to have detachable controllers and the ability to work with a TV;
- Tencent has filed a patent for a portable console that looks like a miniature gaming PC - images available.
Nintendo Switch console is a sensational commercial success, its modularity and capabilities earned it appreciacion of mobile gamers around the world. It is not surprising that many would like to follow in its footsteps. Americans and Chinese have similar intentions, as both Qualcomm and Tencent are working on their own portable consoles. Although perhaps the word "working" is a bit too much in the case of the company from Shenzhen, because so far it has only filed a patent.
Tencent
Chinese corporation Tencent has come up with a similar idea to Qualcomm, but in terms of information, more is known about the appearance of the console than about its features and specs. In October 2020, a patent was filed (CN306392452S) for a portable console, which was recently approved. It contains pictures, so I invite you to look at them:
Judging from the photos I suppose the console could be technically similar to PCs (the "PC Gaming" lettering). There is even a button with Windows logo. Comparing to the Switch - it doesn't look like the controllers are detachable. Visually, in my opinion, it looks more like a Sony PSP than Nintendo's product. Whether this is actually an idea for a miniature gaming "PC", or a base for streaming - we do not know. Air intakes may indicate a need to cool some powerful components. However, these are only graphic renders, not even an announcement of the work on the actual device. Tencent has a lot of unrealized projects that have not gone beyond the patent phase.
Qualcomm
Qualcomm, as reported by Android Police, is preparing a device that may be functionally very similar to the Switch. Like the Nintento console, it will have detachable controllers and the ability to display image on a TV. Console's performance remains unknown at this stage, although it is rather obvious that its heart will be a Snapdragon processor, probably of the next generation (probably SD 888 - source). A 6000 mAh battery was announced, which can provide a long operating time and fast recharging.
Console's contact with the world will be provided by a 5G modem, but it is not clear whether it will be possible to make phone calls from it (it can only provide Internet access). Bluetooth and Wi-Fi will be on the feature list, as will GPS and a set of accelerometers and haptic motors known to smartphone users. There is no information about NFC.
The console's dimensions are unknown for now, other than the fact that it is expected to resemble a somewhat thick smartphone. According to Qualcomm, the larger volume will give the console better cooling. Not much is known about the display, although Android Police - citing information from a person at XDA - claims that it is to be 6.65 inches and FullHD resolution . In any case, it is strongly probable. As for the question of internal memory of the device, we know that it is to have a microSD card slot.
The console's software will be Android 12 with a personalized launcher. Qualcomm hopes to provide Epic Games Store support at launch. It also plans to launch its own games platform. The console has been announced for release in the first quarter of 2022, and is expected to be priced at $300, which seems surprisingly low for a device with Snapdragon 888. It is expected to be sold directly, and may also appear in mobile carrier offers (mainly in the US).
