GPD Announces the XP Plus, a Modular Android Games Console
Handheld device manufacturer GPD is no stranger to making unique portable devices, having given us folding Windows handhelds and Android game tablets in the past. A recent post from the manufacturer confirms that they are working on the GPD XP Plus, a successor to their GPD XP handheld. As with the first iteration of the device, the newer XP Plus will also run on Android and feature a modular design.
The exclusive Dimensity 1200 handheld: GPD XP PLUS features
1. RAM update to LPDDR4x 4266
2. ROM update to UFS 3.1
3. Hall stick with 0 dead zone
4. Type C support HDMI DP 1.2, 4K/60Hz, 2K/120Hz,
1080p/168Hz
5. Faster charging, charger will be 65W(TBD)
6. Wifi 6 support pic.twitter.com/izvMXZXJiu— GPD Game Consoles (@softwincn) March 26, 2022
According to GPD, the XP Plus will feature a Mediatek Dimensity 1200 chipset, RAM and ROM upgrades, fast-charging capabilities, and USB Type-C compatibility. It will also feature swappable controls similar to the Nintendo Switch. Additionally, GPD also stated that they were initially going with a Qualcomm Snapdragon SoC for the new handheld, but ultimately decided on going with the Dimensity chipset.
The original GPD XP handheld was likewise modular (with swappable controls) and features a 6.81-inch touchscreen with a 2400x1080p resolution, ran on Android 11, and is powered by a Mediatek Helio G95 chipset. The device also came with 6GB of RAM and 128GB of internal storage, which make for decent specs considering that it’s a gaming-focused handheld.
Android game devices have an interesting history in the grand scheme of all things tech. While long-time industry players like Nintendo, Sony, and Microsoft have established a strong grip on the gaming market with dedicated consoles, other devices like the Ouya, Nvidia’s Shield Tablet and handheld (all of which ran on modified versions of Android) have come and gone with less-than-ideal success and sales figures. This doesn’t seem to faze GPD though, especially if you look at their consistent device launches.
Nevertheless, the GPD XP Plus should prove to be an interesting piece of tech once it hits the market. Although if you already have a fast-enough Android smartphone, you can opt to buy a stand-alone game controller instead as an easy way of adding physical controls to your mobile gaming experience.
Source: Twitter