GPD Pocket 4 features AMD Zen5 APU
Finally, a handheld with Ryzen AI 300, not really meant for gamers.
The Ryzen AI 300 series was launched nearly two weeks ago, but the initial batch of laptops powered by the new series was rather limited. There was also no sign of any Mini-PCs or gaming handhelds featuring these APUs, which was surprising given the popularity of AMD processors in such devices.
According to AOOSTAR , the first Mini-PC with AMD Strix Point will launch in October, but since this brand is much smaller than its competitors, this might actually happen sooner. The issue seems to be AMD’s supply of Strix Point APUs for such devices, as the company is clearly focusing on laptops right now.
Pocket 4, Source: GPD
Regarding handhelds, we’ve now learned that the GPD Pocket 4 is the first handheld featuring Strix Point and already has a dedicated website with initial specs. The device is set to feature an 8.8-inch LTPS display with a 2.5K resolution, 144Hz refresh rate, 97% DCI-P3 color coverage, and 500 nits of brightness. While this isn’t an OLED panel, the specs suggest it is a high-quality display.
The Pocket 4 is not primarily a gaming device. While it can be used for gaming, unlike other GPD devices, it does not have an integrated gamepad. Instead, it features a physical keyboard, a touchpad, and a rotating screen that can be turned 180 degrees, allowing the device to be used as a tablet. Thus, the device is a 2-in-1 tablet and notebook.
Pocket 4, Source: GPD
In terms of APU specs, the Pocket 4 uses the HX 370 with 12 Zen5/Zen5c cores , 16 RDNA 3.5 Compute Units, and a configurable TDP between 20 and 28W. The company has provided performance figures claiming it is faster than the 7950X (Cinebench single-core), 5950X (Cinebench multi-core), and Arc A140V (Lunar Lake). However, these figures are based on a 45W TDP, which, from my understanding, is not available with this product.
The memory specs offer up to 64GB LPDDR5-7500, with 16GB allocated to the Radeon 890M integrated graphics alone. The company claims that this configuration will deliver a ‘smooth gaming experience.’ The device is cooled by a single-fan design and supports up to 8TB of M.2 2280 SSD storage (available configurations will launch with 4 TB storage).
Pocket 4, Source: GPD
Another cool feature is the modularized connector. Users can swap the rear port for an RS-232 analog module, a KVM module, or expanded keyboard/mouse support through additional USB connectors. Those who prefer to expand storage can use the SD card slot or, perhaps the most interesting feature, the LTE modem.
Pocket 4, Source: GPD
The Pocket 4 has a built-in 44.8Wh battery, placing it between the 2023 ROG Ally and Legion Go in terms of battery capacity. The GPD Pocket 4 has no exact release date or pricing yet, but the company is expected to introduce this product in October.
Source: GPD via Hoang Anh Phu