If the current crop of handheld gaming devices isn’t thrilling you with their small screens, then Tencent might just have the gadget to pique your interest. According to Videocardz, Tencent recently unveiled a new entry in the handheld market—though it feels more akin to a portable console—the Sunday Dragon 3D One. This device isn’t your typical handheld; it’s powered by an Intel Lunar Lake CPU and boasts a large 11-inch display, which should offer an enthralling visual experience—if you can manage to hold it comfortably, that is.
Inside this wonder, the Core Ultra 7 258V processor hums away, featuring four performance cores (Lion Cove), four efficient cores (Skymont), and an Arc 140V iGPU with eight Xe2 cores. Through rigorous testing, it’s been observed that Intel’s latest Lunar Lake chips are rivaling AMD’s Strix Point, particularly their Ryzen AI 300 APUs, in gaming performance. What’s more, the 3D One is fitted with a generous 32GB of LPDDR5X-8533 RAM. While this should be more than adequate for current tasks, it’s worth noting that it’s soldered directly onto the CPU, so upgrading it isn’t an option. However, the device does come with a “high-speed” 1TB SSD that seems ripe for future upgrades should you crave more speed or storage.
An interesting tidbit—this may be the first handheld featuring Lunar Lake CPUs to become available, if it manages to launch before this year wraps up, especially since MSI’s Claw 8 AI+ is expected in early 2025. However, temper your excitement, as Videocardz highlights that the 3D One is, as of now, purely a prototype. Featuring a sizable 11-inch 2560×1440 display and a smooth 120Hz refresh rate, this handheld even has the credentials to double up as a makeshift laptop. In contrast, GPD’s upcoming Pocket 4 mini-laptops will only stretch to 8.8 inches. To enhance your gaming immersion, Tencent has introduced real-time eye-tracking for a glasses-free 3D effect. Rumor has it, titles like Path of Exile, Blade & Soul, and Arena Breakout: Infinite will leverage this tech.
As for its controls, the 3D One is shipped with Hall Effect joysticks, linear triggers, and two buttons you can personalize on the back. The controllers are detachable, letting you swap them out for third-party alternatives, so long as they fit this unique device’s form factor. You’ll also appreciate the 100W fast-charging capability, although specifics on the battery capacity are still under wraps.
Design-wise, the 3D One takes an unusual route. Traditionally, handhelds are lauded for their ergonomic design, enabling gamers to play comfortably over long sessions. This model, while certainly intriguing with its hefty screen, might not offer the same comfort. Marketed primarily as a prototype, it’s likely to be niche in both availability and appeal, both geographically and functionally. Whether it’ll find a home with the masses or remain a collector’s gem is yet to be seen.
