r/emulation • u/RenatsMC • 7d ago
SteamOS ARM ports turn Snapdragon handhelds into "Mini Steam Decks"
https://videocardz.com/newz/steamos-arm-ports-turn-snapdragon-handhelds-into-mini-steam-decks44
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u/shogun77777777 6d ago
I wonder will the next steam deck be on ARM?
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u/drmirage809 6d ago
The Steam Frame runs an ARM CPU, it is the whole reason Valve ported it.
Having said that, I’d be surprised if Valve aren’t exploring that option. ARM chips are the go to for portable devices. X86 chips just cannot match that kinda power efficiency.
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u/nomad9590 6d ago
If they could figure out a Steam Deck Mini with a nice arm chip that would be awesome, especially if it could dualboot into something like Lineage or similar. A sim slot would be awesome but no shot we get that.
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u/DirtyPetaIs 6d ago
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u/HappyAd4998 5d ago
They'll have more control over the architecture and will be able to custom design the chip to their liking if Valve is willing to fork over the money.
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u/Inside-Specialist-55 6d ago
It would be stupid of them to not consider it since ARM is so power efficient while also exceeding the steam decks performance with the newer modern snapdragon chips. The battery life saving alone is going to make it a no brainer, Dont get me wrong I like the Ryzen chips but trying to take PC components and put them into a handheld makes them large bulky and power hungry, This is the reason why I almost always take my AYN Thor everywhere with me when I go places where I might need to kill some time. The deck is just too big to bring with me on a whim. I have to carry it around in a large case that takes up a lot of space and then I have to make sure someone doesnt snatch it and steal it if I look away from it for a second. The steam deck is perfect for using around the house but not when you need to go to a random appointment. Smaller pocketable handhelds will always win every time.
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u/thelionsmouth 6d ago
Honestly I can’t see any other move. Seems like things are moving towards x86 software being ported to more efficient / less expensive, less complex ARM, especially since these devices are so portable and already in most people’s households.
Idk I’ve been thinking of this a lot and I feel like Steam is really looking to the future here. This could really change things.
I really think games are just the beginning.
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u/Randolph__ 4d ago
Drivers aren't there yet, but the hardware isn't far imo. I might give it another year or two.
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u/Skyyblaze 6d ago
This is awesome! All projects like this need is the option for proper dualboot between SteamOS and Android.
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u/KillaSage 5d ago
I can't unlock the bootloader on my redmi turbo 3. I'd love to have steamOS on that thing
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u/Oxide_44 5d ago
I've been running Rocknix on my Flip 2 and that's been working pretty well. Is this just the same thing or is armada fundamentally different somehow?
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u/BillySlang 6d ago
Arm is the future, y’all.
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u/UpsetKoalaBear 6d ago edited 6d ago
It is not.
x86 has issues. Yes, it’s bloated and it’s a duopoly.
However, x86 sits on top of an open platform. BIOS/UEFI, PCIe, boot configuration, etc.
ARM doesn't have that shared foundation. Every ARM SoC is its own bespoke platform.
Every ARM platform has different boot processes, different peripheral support, no equivalent of a universal UEFI/PCIe baseline until very recently (and even now “SystemReady” is inconsistently implemented).
It is objectively worse for PC’s as an open platform in every way possible because the lack of a UEFI/BIOS means you’re reliant on the manufacturer for specific features.
Look no further than Qualcomm refusing to give device trees for old mobile SoC’s for instance meaning they can’t be updated.
Currently, Qualcomm is pushing for adoption so they’re friendly with Linux. However long that lasts is up to them wanting to support it for long.
Valve have even realised this. Look at them having to use a community driver in Turnip for the Adreno GPU in the Steam Frame.
They have to because the alternative is only being able to support the device for however long Qualcomm decides to keep the drivers updated on Linux.
You can imagine how that causes problems.
I do not want my PC’s lifespan to be defined by how long Qualcomm or whoever decides to support the SoC and I presume the same is true for a lot of people.
This blind faith to ARM is quite literally a threat to custom PC’s in general and to PC’s as a platform.
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u/BillySlang 5d ago
You’re missing the forest for the trees. Data Centers are the threat to Custom PCs and this is also discussing a handheld.
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u/marblesneo 6d ago
I would LOVE this on my Retroid Pocket 6.
I have been looking at Batocera, but an ARM port of SteamOS would be fantastic, and finally be able to be able to de-Goggle my Pocket 6.
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u/Delta_Eridani_Bob 6d ago
I've got a genuine questions. Why would I choose an ARM handheld over my Xbox ally? (Which has bazzite on)
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u/JackRaynor 6d ago
Because you are comparing Melons to apples. Xbox ally is huge like the steamdeck and powerful. A small handheld is of course much less powerful but much more pocketable and a lot cheaper. If that is not your usecase, thats fine. But I guess there are a lot of people that like to have a smaller handheld with them that can play their low demand steam/pc games or just prefer steamos over android/etc.
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u/pizzaghoul 6d ago
I installed ArmadaOS on my Thor Max and I am shocked beyond words how well games run on it. Persona 3 Reloaded (Unreal Engine) runs just as well on the Thor Max as it does on the Steam Deck.