March 24, 2023·4 min·781 words·Jackie Murray
The Odin Pro was developed by AYN Technologies and surprised many skeptical users with its performance and retro emulation.It can be hard to come by Steam Decks and is considered quite expensive for a handheld gaming device. Let’s examine how the alternative Odin Pro holds up against the Steam Deck.
Can AYN Odin run Steam?
The Odin can run Steam using Steam Link which allows users to connect to a computer that’s running Steam. However, users will need a PC that is on the same Wi-Fi network as their Odin device.Another method is to install Windows OS on the Odin device. With Windows on Odin, users can download and install Steam and should be able to have access to their games without issue.Is the Steam Deck worth it?If you have an established gaming library on Steam, then the Steam Deck is definitely worth it. The popular handheld gaming device allows users to take their favorite games with them on the go. Users can also connect with the Steam community and chat with their friends.For a more in-depth look at the common problems with the Steam Deck and how to fix them, we have a guide for that as well.
Steam Deck VS Odin Pro: Features comparison
Design
In terms of size, the Steam Deck is significantly larger than the Odin Pro. However, the small size and weight of the Odin Pro make it more portable and convenient to carry around. Its small size also makes it easier to hold and more comfortable to game for long periods of time.The Odin Pro and Lite have more color variations whereas the Steam Deck only comes in black. Both gaming devices are similar in that they both have built-in controllers with analog sticks, shoulder buttons, and face buttons. However, the Steam Deck hosts extra buttons and two trackpads.
Power
There’s no question that the Steam Deck is more powerful than the Odin Pro if the price difference didn’t already give it away. The Odin Pro is equipped with Snapdragon 845 whereas the Steam Deck has a custom AMD APU and 8 RDNA 2 CPU.The Steam Deck also offers more RAM and storage with the options for 64GB, 256GB, and 512GB and a micro SD card slot. The Odin Pro offers 64GB, 128GB, 256GB, and also a micro SD card slot.SPONSOREDBecause the Odin Pro is less powerful, its battery last longer. The Odin Pro is equipped with a 6600mAh battery and the Steam Deck has a 5200mAh (40Wh) battery. Many users report that the battery on the Steam Deck drains quickly, especially when playing demanding games.
Performance
When it comes to the performance of the latest and most popular games, the Steam Deck takes the cake. With a Steam OS, the device can run most AAA games seamlessly as well as the majority of the games on Steam.For a more comprehensive list of the best Steam Deck verified games, we offer a guide for that as well.The Odin Pro on the other hand is perfect for retro gamers that want to play nostalgic GameCube and Wii games. The Odin Pro also runs on Android OS so users can play most Android games.
Price
Many users point out that you get what you pay for with the Steam Deck and the Odin Pro. The Steam Deck is quite a bit more expensive with prices starting at $399, but it is more powerful than the Odin Pro.However, the Odin Pro is perfect for those who are looking for something cheaper but still offers high-performance retro gaming. The Odin Pro starts at $289, however, there is also the Odin Lite starting at $199.
What other Steam Deck alternatives are there?
One of the most popular alternatives is the Nintendo Switch, which also has a Lite version.Another powerful handheld alternative to the Steam Deck is the AYANEO Air, which has received rave reviews over its power and performance.
Our conclusion
There are many factors to consider when comparing the Steam Deck vs. the Odin Pro. Ultimately, it’s up to you to decide what you want out of a handheld gaming console after reviewing our guide.If you want a console with the power and performance to handle AAA games, then the Steam Deck is for you. However, if you’re a retro gamer, then perhaps the Odin Pro is best.We hope this article shed some light on Steam Deck vs. Odin Pro and their differences. Let us know in the comments which handheld gaming console you prefer and why.
SPONSOREDName *Email *Commenting as . Not you?Save information for future comments
Comment
Δ
FAQs
Valve's powerhouse is still the better choice if you want to play PC games, but if you only care about emulation and want something that doesn't feel like carrying a bag of rocks, Ayn has created a killer Steam Deck alternative.
Is anything better than Steam Deck? ›
The Asus ROG Ally is an excellent Steam Deck alternative that thankfully runs Windows 11. Pros: Incredible performance. Adjustable modes (Silent, Performance, Turbo)
Can you run steam on Odin Pro? ›
Ayn says that the Odin supports Windows on ARM, so you can at least try to install Windows and run Steam. Of course, you'll still be dealing with an ARM processor with an Adreno 630 GPU, and that falls a bit short of the Steam Deck's graphical power.
Is the Steam Deck worth it now? ›
Steam Decks provide the most value to established PC gamers with large Steam libraries, but only if you're interested in mobile gaming. If you don't find yourself in situations where you're both away from your gaming PC and have enough downtime to dig into a PC game, then you won't get a lot of use out of a Steam Deck.
Is the Ayn Odin 2 worth it? ›
Incredible battery life, great feel in the hand, and powerful enough to run Gamecube-era consoles out of the box all sounded too good to be true. I'd owned the original Ayn Odin, and heard a lot of the same rhetoric during its release in early 2022.
Can Odin Pro play Xbox games? ›
With the full Android app store at your disposal, the Odin 2 lets you tap into pretty much every conceivable aspect of gaming: whether you're looking to stream from Xbox Game Pass, or fire up an old-school classic with emulators, it's only limited by your patience to learn the intricacies of, and configure, varying ...
Can the Odin Pro run Windows? ›
It's also worth keeping in mind that there's also a bit of a performance hit that comes with running Windows on ARM: the Odin Pro gets lower single-core and multi-core results in the GeekBench performance test when running Windows than it does using Android. So why would you want to run Windows on the handheld?
What can the Odin Pro emulate? ›
For less than the price of a Switch, the Odin Pro lets you play PS2, GameCube, and Dreamcast games on the go. We may earn a commission from links on this page. The Steam Deck has unquestionably revitalized people's interests in handheld gaming on anything other than a Switch.
Can Steam Deck run Valhalla? ›
How to play Assassin's Creed Valhalla on Steam Deck. In order to play Assassin's Creed Valhalla, players will first need to install Ubisoft Connect on Steam Deck. To link your Steam and Ubisoft accounts, follow these easy steps: For the first time, launch a Ubisoft game via the Steam client.
Should I upgrade my Steam Deck to OLED? ›
This is only a Yes based on the games that you play on your Steam Deck, but if you play more intensive games, you will love this. The new cooling system in the Steam Deck OLED works tremendously well, keeping the device much cooler than its LCD counterpart in the same games with the same graphical quality.
How long is the Steam Deck battery life? As mentioned, the original LCD Steam Deck gets anywhere between 2 to 8 hours, drawing from a 40Whr battery. The Steam Deck OLED lasts between 3 to 12 hours, not just because of a larger 50Whr battery, but because of improved power efficiency.
Which Steam Deck version is most worth it? ›
For most people, the $529 256GB model is the best match for functionality and price. If your budget can handle it, go for the $649 512GB Deck because it's undoubtedly the best. And unless you're cash strapped, avoid the $399 64GB model due to its slower run and boot speeds.
Is Steam Deck the most powerful? ›
The Steam Deck has performance similar to a PS4, but with faster storage performance. There a lots of end users trying to game on low end hardware that is significantly less powerful than a Steam Deck.
Which is more powerful Steam Deck or PS5? ›
The PS5 is significantly more powerful than a Steam Deck and has a fairly different primary use case.
Is tf2 on Steam Deck good? ›
Yes, Team Fortress 2 currently holds a 'Playable' rating for the Steam Deck, but only because the graphical requirements are low. Team Fortress 2 falls short on the other three parameters for 'Verified' status. It's quite surprising to see Team Fortress 2 only pass one barrier for Steam Deck compatibility.
How big is the screen on Odin 2? ›
The display is a 6” IPS touch screen with a resolution of 1920×1080. It has a decent brightness and the colours look good. No complaints here. You have of course all the standard controls you will expect to find on a handheld, including dual hall effect sticks, D-Pad and gaming buttons.
