If the thought of tiny screens on handheld gaming devices has left you wanting more, Tencent has a surprise in store for handheld enthusiasts. According to Videocardz, Tencent is stepping into the market with a cutting-edge piece of technology: the Sunday Dragon 3D One. Though it’s branded as a handheld, its imposing features make it more akin to a portable console, highlighted by its stunning 11-inch display. That’s right—this isn’t your typical handheld display size, promising a more captivating visual experience, provided your hands can handle it.
Under the hood, the 3D One is packed with power. It’s driven by an Intel Lunar Lake CPU, featuring the Core Ultra 7 258V. This architecture boasts four P-Cores (Lion Cove) and four E-Cores (Skymont), along with an integrated Arc 140V iGPU, sporting eight Xe2 cores. Our thorough evaluations reveal that Intel’s latest processors stand toe-to-toe with AMD’s Strix Point (Ryzen AI 300 APUs) when it comes to gaming performance. Rounding off the internal specs, the device houses a 32GB LPDDR5X-8533 RAM. While ample for current demands, this memory is soldered onto the CPU, leaving no room for upgrades. Additionally, it offers a “high-speed” 1TB SSD, which, unlike the RAM, should allow for future upgrades if you’re aiming for more speed or capacity.
Perhaps what’s particularly intriguing is that the 3D One might be the first-ever Lunar Lake handheld to make it to market this year, potentially preceding MSI’s Claw 8 AI+ expected in early 2025. However, don’t get too excited just yet. Videocardz indicates that, for now, we’re dealing with a prototype. The device boasts an immense 11-inch 2560×1440 display with a 120Hz refresh rate. This feature alone gives it a laptop-like quality due to the impressive screen size. In contrast, GPD is preparing to launch its Pocket 4 mini-laptops, maxing out at a more modest 8.8 inches. Tencent’s innovation doesn’t stop at screen size; they have integrated real-time eye-tracking technology for a glasses-free 3D experience. Reports hint at select games such as Path of Exile, Blade & Soul, and Arena Breakout: Infinite being optimized for this tech.
Tencent has equipped the 3D One with detachable controllers featuring Hall Effect joysticks, linear triggers, and two customizable buttons on the rear. The flexibility offered by detachable controllers means you can swap them for third-party options, provided they fit the unique size of the 3D One. Plus, it supports 100W fast-charging, although the battery’s specific capacity remains under wraps.
The design philosophy of the 3D One is nothing short of unusual. Handheld devices are expected to offer ergonomic comfort, allowing for extended use without fatigue. While larger screens can capture the richness and beauty of a game’s graphics, they may compromise the comfort and usability expected from a handheld device. As it stands, the 3D One is very much a work in progress—a prototype—and it may have a limited release, both geographically and market-wise due to its potential niche appeal.
With these ambitious features, Tencent’s Sunday Dragon 3D One boldly sets its sights on redefining portable gaming. Whether this prototype successfully translates into a consumer product remains to be seen, but it’s certainly a gadget worth keeping an eye on.
