u/Antihero89

I’m looking to buy a handheld and I’m currently torn between the AYN Thor and the Steam Deck OLED.

Right now I already own:

• Anbernic RG353M (barely use it anymore)
• Miyoo Mini Plus
• Nintendo Switch
• PS4 Pro (also basically never used)
• A fairly powerful PC (RX 7900 XT, Ryzen 7800X3D, 32GB RAM)

What I want to play:

• Emulation up to GameCube, Wii, and PS2
• Native indie / low-demand games like Balatro, Blue Prince, Binding of Isaac, Hades, Hollow Knight, etc.
• Stream more demanding games from my PC when needed (GTA V, Hogwarts Legacy, Cyberpunk, Elden Ring, Clair Obscur, No Man’s Sky)
• Less important, but still relevant: homebrew games and fan games, especially Pokémon fangames (not just ROM hacks)

My use case:

• I game about 75% at home
• The other 25% is mostly on the tram, but also during family visits, train rides, or flights
• I don’t mind a larger device. I already use my Switch on public transport with a Skull & Co GripCase, which honestly isn’t much less bulky than a Steam Deck anyway. Pocketability isn’t important to me — ergonomics are. (I’d use the Thor with a grip.)
• I want as few devices as possible. The Miyoo Mini+ would stay as my tiny retro handheld, and then I want ONE “everything else” handheld. I don’t want both the Thor and Steam Deck.
• I have no problem setting things up initially, but after setup I really care about usability and UX. That’s a huge reason why I prefer the Steam Deck over most Windows handhelds.
• I also heavily use a second screen. I probably won’t emulate much DS, 3DS, or Wii U, but even when gaming on my Miyoo Mini+ or Switch, I often have my phone next to me for podcasts, YouTube, guides, etc. The Thor’s second-screen functionality is genuinely interesting to me because of that.

So in the end, it basically comes down to:

• Steam Deck OLED: better overall UX and stronger gaming ecosystem vs.
• AYN Thor: second-screen functionality and Android flexibility

Without native Android gaming, I think I would’ve instantly chosen the Steam Deck. But now I’m hesitating, especially because native Android gaming for lighter titles + PC streaming for heavier games sounds like a really good combo for my use case.

What would you guys choose in my situation?