Indian hardware startup ARC has introduced its first gaming handheld device, the ARC X1, priced significantly lower than typical Windows handhelds in the country. Early access for the device begins on October 2, exclusively for individuals on the company’s waitlist, with a price tag of Rs 29,500. Following this initial phase, the retail price will increase to Rs 33,500.
ARC says the device took 16 months to build, with its early community weighing in on the hardware, software and overall feel. The result is an Android-based console with a 7-inch 120Hz display, a 9,300mAh battery, a cooling fan and a set of controls aimed at players tired of stick drift. The 1080p LCD panel sits under Gorilla Glass 3, reaches 500 nits and covers roughly 100% of the sRGB colour space. Inside sits a 4nm Snapdragon G2 Gen 2 chip, paired with 8GB LPDDR5X RAM and 128GB UFS 3.1 storage, expandable up to 1TB via microSD. An 80% charge limit is also on board. Connectivity includes Wi-Fi 6E, Bluetooth 5.4 and USB-C with display output. The 3.5mm headphone jack survives, as do front-facing stereo speakers, and the unit weighs between 450g and 500g.
A centrifugal fan pulls air in from the back and pushes it out the top. ARC promises more than eight hours of play in Silent Mode, and the battery tops up at 27W. Repairs should be less of a headache too. The battery and joystick caps are replaceable, and ARC is using modular daughterboards while promising spare parts through the device’s life.