GPD Win 5 Design Choices Spark Fan Discontent Over Win 4 Successor

Key Takeaways

1. GPD is launching its first gaming handheld, the Win 5, at ChinaJoy 2025, featuring AMD Strix Halo processors.
2. GPD released a nearly 30-minute video showcasing the Win 5’s design and its 80 Wh external battery pack.
3. The Win 5 is claimed to deliver performance equivalent to an Nvidia GeForce RTX 4060 laptop, powered by the Ryzen AI Max+ 395.
4. Fan reactions are mixed, with some praising GPD’s innovation, while others criticize the power button’s placement and the lack of a keyboard and OLED display.
5. GPD is comparing the Win 5 primarily with the Win Mini and Win Max 2, rather than the previous Win 4 model.

GPD is debuting its first gaming handheld, which is powered by AMD Strix Halo processors, at the ChinaJoy 2025 exhibition in Shanghai. Coincidentally, Ayaneo is also set to showcase its rival device, the Next 2 handheld, during the same event.

Video Release for Win 5

In honor of the Win 5’s initial public reveal, GPD has shared nearly thirty minutes of videos on its social media platforms. The video, which is embedded below, explores the design of the Win 5 and highlights the device’s 80 Wh external battery pack. Interestingly, GPD has chosen to compare the Win 5 with the Win Mini and Win Max 2 (currently priced at $1,599 on Amazon) instead of the Win 4.

Performance Highlights

Moreover, the company is emphasizing the performance potential of the Ryzen AI Max+ 395. GPD claims that the Win 5 is a 7-inch gaming handheld that delivers performance levels equivalent to an Nvidia GeForce RTX 4060 laptop. Towards the end of the video, GPD notes that running the Ryzen AI Max+ 395 at 70 W creates several hotspots, with some surface temperatures exceeding 48 °C in certain areas.

Mixed Reactions from Fans

As of now, feedback from fans has been varied. On one side, some fans seem to commend GPD for pushing the boundaries of what a gaming handheld can be. Conversely, many have expressed concerns regarding the placement of the power button, which seems to be located beneath where a user’s left hand would typically rest. Additionally, the absence of a keyboard and an OLED display have also been poorly received by members of the gaming handheld community.

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