ZOTAC ZONE Handheld: 120Hz AMOLED Display and More! First Look

What’s up guys! Once more, it’s ETA Prime, and today we’re going to speak about something I’ve been really excited to discuss: the ZOTAC ZONE portable console. With this formal posting of the product page on their website, ZOTAC has provided us with a wealth of new information regarding this handheld gaming PC. Ever since I had the opportunity to interact directly with an earlier prototype at Taipei’s Computex earlier this year, I’ve been excited about this one. I’m excited to share with you my initial thoughts on what looks to be one of the most fascinating handhelds available.

Design and Display

The ZOTAC ZONE’s 7-inch, 120Hz AMOLED screen with 1080p resolution is one of its most notable features. With a viewing angle of 178 degrees and a brightness of up to 800 nits, the display is ideal for gaming on the go. With a wide color gamut that supports HDR, 100% DCI-P3, and an oversaturated 150% sRGB, the colors are exceptionally vibrant. This screen will appeal to you greatly if you enjoy vivid colors and deep blacks. I was astounded by the prototype’s impressive display during my hands-on experience, and I have no doubt that it will be a major selling point for the ZONE.

Performance and Features

With its AMD Ryzen 8000 series APU and Windows 11 operating system, the ZOTAC ZONE offers desktop-caliber performance in a portable package. The handheld has some pretty amazing technology, such hair triggers for first-person shooters and Hall-based joysticks and triggers that enable a straight throw suited for racing games. You have more control over your gaming experience with the pro trigger locks and two-stage adjustable triggers, which is a great feature.

The radial dials around the analog sticks are one of the ZONE’s more distinctive features. These, which provide for fast changes to settings like brightness and volume, truly wowed me at Computex. Although I’m not sure how much I’ll use them for regular gaming, having these dials customized for other purposes could be a huge advantage.

The ZONE boasts dual trackpads as well, which I’m interested to see how they feel in the finished product as they weren’t entirely functioning in the prototype. On a Windows portable, trackpads can greatly facilitate navigation, and hopefully they have integrated haptic feedback akin to that of the Steam Deck.

Memory and Storage

The ZONE is pre-configured with 16GB of 7500MHz LPDDR5X RAM. For most gaming and multitasking demands, 16GB should be more than enough, though some may wish for a 32GB option. A 512GB Gen 4 M.2 SSD is what you should be looking at in terms of storage, and it should provide lightning-fast load times. If necessary, you can quickly increase your storage capacity using the device’s support for UHS-2 microSD cards. 

Design and Ergonomics

The ZOTAC ZONE is among the most stylish handhelds I’ve ever seen in terms of design. It has a silver D-pad, gold embellishments, and a symmetrical design that is both fashionable and practical. In my short time with it, I found that it was surprisingly comfortable to handle despite its angular form. Additionally, the gadget has a built-in kickstand, which is a convenient feature for watching media or gaming hands-free. I still need to test the downward-firing stereo speakers, but they should have a respectable sound quality.

A little flair is added by the RGB strip around the back, and for even more personalization, there are programmable macro buttons. With its triple heat pipe structure, 60-aluminum heatsink, and quick airflow fan system, the ZONE’s cooling system should be able to withstand prolonged gaming sessions without overheating.

Connectivity and Extras

The ZONE has excellent connection, with two USB4 ports, Bluetooth 5.2, Wi-Fi 6E, and a 3.5mm audio jack. In addition, it features a fingerprint sensor for simple login, a MicroSD card slot for increased storage, and a front-facing camera and microphone for video calls and Windows Hello facial recognition.

In addition, ZOTAC is selling a number of ZONE accessories, such as a docking station and a carrying case. I had the opportunity to examine the docking station, which is composed of aluminum and appears to be rather robust. It charges the device while it is docked and has an HDMI output. Although I can’t remember if it has an Ethernet connector, the ZONE itself has two USB4 ports, so there should be plenty of communication choices.

Battery and Charging

For mobile devices, battery life is always an important consideration. The ZOTAC ZONE has a 48.5W battery. The duration of the device will need to be determined by real-world testing, but the 65W fast charging capacity should allow you to resume gaming right away. Although a larger battery would have been ideal, the quick charging function makes up for it. 

Price and Availability

The cost of the ZOTAC ZONE is one of the main mysteries. ZOTAC has not yet formally disclosed a price for the US market, although rumors point to a retail price of about $799. Potential customers will consider this price point to be very important, particularly when compared to other products in the same category. Although it’s not the least expensive option available, its high-end construction, AMOLED display, and powerful internals may make the purchase worthwhile.

Final Thoughts and Questions

So, what are your thoughts? Are you considering a handheld device like the ZOTAC ZONE? I think it’s one of the most stylish handhelds around, but that’s just my opinion. The sharp, jagged design is reminiscent of ThunderCats’ Sword of Omens. And just looking at the screen excites me as an AMOLED fanatic. On my Android phone or portable devices, I’ve always liked the extremely saturated colors and deep blacks. I’ve stayed with Samsung Galaxy S handsets because of this—the screens simply catch my eye.

What about you, though? Do you think the design is great or do you wish they had made a different choice? Would you prefer a larger battery or a lower price point? Tell me in the comments section below. In order to test the ZOTAC ZONE and see how it functions in practical situations, I’m eager to get my hands on it. As always, I appreciate your time and attention, and I hope to see you on the channel soon for more updates and reviews!

Video review of ZOTAC ZONE