Key Takeaways
1. The Zotac Zone is in prototype phase, first introduced at CES 2025 and showcased at Computex 2025.
2. It features a Ryzen AI 9 HX 370 APU and Radeon 890M integrated GPU, aiming to match performance with modern handhelds like Ayaneo 3.
3. Available RAM options include 24 GB or 32 GB, with a 48.5 Wh battery and a 1 TB M.2 2280 SSD.
4. The device has a 7-inch OLED display with 1080p resolution, 120 Hz refresh rate, and 800 nits brightness.
5. It runs on a specialized Manjora Linux distribution with a user interface similar to Steam OS, supporting Windows games via Wine emulation.
We got our hands on the newest version of the Zotac Zone during the Computex 2025 event. This device was hinted at before Taipei’s major tech festival, and even though it was first introduced back in January at CES 2025, it’s still in the prototype phase.
Performance Overview
To remind you, the first Zotac Zone came out a bit late in the life of AMD’s Ryzen 7 8840U APU. In contrast, the second-generation gaming handheld from Zotac is expected to match the performance of modern options like the Ayaneo 3 or OneXFly F1 Pro (currently priced at $1,439 on Amazon). This is thanks to its Ryzen AI 9 HX 370 APU and Radeon 890M integrated GPU.
Specifications and Features
Zotac has confirmed that the new Zone will come with either 24 GB or 32 GB of RAM, depending on the model you choose. It is powered by a 48.5 Wh battery and features a 1 TB M.2 2280 SSD. Additionally, there’s a microSD card reader and two USB4 ports. Like the older model, the new Zone includes Hall effect joysticks and triggers, along with two built-in trackpads similar to those found on the Steam Deck.
Display and Software
The highlight of the Zone is arguably its OLED display, which measures 7 inches diagonally, has a native resolution of 1080p, a refresh rate of 120 Hz, and peaks at 800 nits brightness. Zotac also gave us a quick look at its Manjora Linux distribution, which boasts a specialized handheld user interface akin to Steam OS, featuring flyout menus for quick adjustments of settings like display brightness and power usage. Moreover, this unnamed distribution utilizes the Wine emulation layer, allowing users to play Windows games seamlessly. For more info, check out our video below.
