Adata’s XPG Nia mixes the Steam Deck with hardware mods
Adata has become the latest company to join the hype surrounding PC gaming handhelds — but the XPG Nia prototype it revealed during Computex 2024 is completely different from what we’ve seen so far. The handheld is the first to come with LPCAMM2 memory, making it far easier to swap out and upgrade RAM.
As reported by Liliputing, you’ll be able to access the device’s storage beneath the kickstand on the back of the device. You can also remove and replace the device’s M.2 2230 SSD. These aren’t the only things you’ll be able to mod, either.
During an interview with YouTuber GGF Events, XPG product head Luca Di Fiore said the company is building the handheld for the “modding market” and will use a “circular computing platform.” This means that Adata will release 3D files and pinout information for the device so users can mod the device, 3D print their own accessories, or even repurpose its parts.
The XPG Nia features a seven-inch display that lifts up and away from the handheld’s chassis, along with four rear buttons, a USB-C port, and a 3.5mm headphone jack. It will also have a front-facing camera that enables real-time eye and head tracking for foveated rendering, as pointed out by AnandTech. We’ve seen foveated rendering used in some VR headsets, which uses eye-tracking to determine where you’re looking, allowing it to display that area in full resolution while displaying the rest in a lower resolution.
XPG still hasn’t confirmed the chip that will power its handheld, but Di Fiore tells GGF Events that it has multiple prototypes based on AMD’s line of Phoenix chips. The company is also shooting for a price between $500 and $600 but may launch the device through a Kickstarter campaign. Even though the XPG Nia is just a prototype for now, it holds a lot of promise and could be a refreshing addition to the growing handheld gaming market, which already has the Steam Deck, Asus Rog Ally, Lenovo Legion Go, and the MSI Claw.
Update, June 7th: Added details on foveated rendering.
