đ° New article from Retro Handhelds
ARC X1 Is a New Qualcomm-Powered Handheld With a Custom Version of Android
Just when you thought the handheld wars were settling into a predictable rhythm, a new player has entered the chat.
While everyone was busy watching Anbernicâs latest Snapdragon release, Qualcomm quietly teamed up with an Indian tech company called ARC to announce the ARC X1. This isn’t just another budget handheld; itâs a high-performance device specifically targeting the massive, rapidly growing gaming markets in India and beyond.
The real kicker, however, isn’t just the hardwareâitâs the software. Instead of slapping a standard version of Android onto the device and calling it a day, ARC is building OwlOS. They claim itâs not just “Android in a gaming shell,” but a complete rebuild designed around how people actually play. Theyâve even teased Hades II running smoothly at 60 fps to prove they mean business.
What we know so far:
- Custom OS: OwlOS aims to be faster and more unified than standard Android.
- Specs: Focused on high-end graphics, low-latency networking for cloud gaming, and better thermal management.
- Availability: Itâs currently in the “waitlist” phase, so don’t expect to grab one at your local shop tomorrow.
If OwlOS actually delivers a seamless experience, it could spark a massive trend of custom operating systems in the handheld space. We’ll be watching this one closely.