ZOTAC Teases Next-Gen ZONE Handheld: AMD Power & Linux Twist
ZOTAC is shaking things up with a sneak peek of their next-generation ZONE gaming handheld, and it's heating things up. Unveiled at Computex, this isn't an incremental upgrade; we're looking at serious power leaps and an unexpected new direction for the software.
Under the Hood: AMD's Latest and Greatest
Most of the hype surrounding the new ZOTAC ZONE (2025 model) is, by far, the processor. They're stuffing it with AMD's top-of-the-line Ryzen AI 9 HX 370 APU. This is a beast of a chip, and it should provide a huge leap forward for both CPU performance and graphical capabilities with the on-board Radeon 890M graphics. ZOTAC seems like they want to make this one of the fastest handhelds on the market, and opting for this high-end APU would definitely suggest that. It's a clear sign they're aiming for flawless 1080p gaming experiences.
To complement that monster of an APU, the ZONE will be configurable with a staggering 24GB or even 32GB of LPDDR5X RAM. For storage, you're looking at a speedy 1TB PCIe Gen4 SSD, so quick load times and plenty of space for your game library.
A Treat for the Eyes: AMOLED Brilliance
Your games will shine on the ZONE's 7-inch AMOLED display. It is a 1080p display with a super smooth 120Hz refresh rate, perfect for fast action. And with a brightness of up to 800 nits, you should be able to get a good view even in lighter conditions.
A New Operating System: Hello, Manjaro Linux
And here's a rather interesting twist: ZOTAC will be shipping the new ZONE handheld with a Manjaro Linux variant that's specifically designed for gaming handhelds. That's a move away from the Windows 11 experience of the previous model. That might make the device act more like a dedicated game console, with a potentially smoother and more streamlined user experience than having to wrangle Windows on a small screen. It's a gamble, especially with options like SteamOS in the picture, but it could truly differentiate the ZONE.
Design and Other Notables
As you can see, the design follows the all-white theme, giving it a clean and contemporary appearance, perhaps somewhat reminiscent of the ASUS ROG Ally but with its own distinctive ZOTAC twist. You also have useful features like Wi-Fi 6E, Bluetooth 5.2, and a built-in kickstand for tabletop gaming comfort. Controls consist of Hall Effect joysticks and triggers, 2-stage adjustable triggers, and even back buttons for more ways to input.
Worth mentioning: the unit shown here is still a prototype, so a couple of top-of-the-line features are not settled yet. The battery is 48.5 Wh, which is the same as the previous model, a surprising finding considering the much more powerful processor.
Key Spec: Zone (2025)
| Feature | Zone (2025) - New Model |
|---|---|
| Display | 7 inches, 1920 x 1080 pixels, 120 Hz, OLED, Up to 800 nits |
| Processor | AMD Ryzen AI 9 HX 370 (12 Zen 5 cores / 24 threads, up to 5.1 GHz) |
| Graphics | Radeon 890M (16 RDNA 3.5 cores, up to 2.9 GHz) |
| RAM | 24GB or 32GB LPDDR5x-8000 |
| Storage | 1 x M.2 2280 PCIe 4.0 x4 |
| Battery | 48.5 Wh |
| Wireless | WiFi 6E, Bluetooth 5.2 |
| Ports | 2 x USB4, 1 x 3.5mm audio, microSD card reader |
| Operating System | Windows 11 |
| Controllers | Hall Effect joysticks & triggers, 2-stage adjustable triggers, radial dial, rear buttons, dual touchpads |
| Other Features | Built-in kickstand, Fingerprint reader |
What's Next
While ZOTAC hasn't let the cat out of the bag yet regarding pricing or an exact release date, they've indicated they'd like to bring this souped-up handheld to market fairly soon. It's always good to see ZOTAC pushing the envelope in the handheld space, and the combination of brute force and what promises to be a refined Linux experience makes this new ZONE something to watch for.
