OnePlus is Prepping an “Oddball” Portable Console That Ditches a Gamepad for a Touchscreen

Chinese leaker Digital Chat Station has reported that one of the major Android smartphone manufacturers is developing a portable gaming console. Based on a number of indirect clues, it points to OnePlus, a company that hasn’t shown any interest in this segment before.

The key detail that sets this rumored device apart from existing offerings like the Steam Deck, Nintendo Switch, or ASUS ROG Ally is touch-based controls. Instead of the usual array of physical buttons and sticks, the console, according to leaks, will focus on screen-based controls with enhanced touch precision and minimal input lag. Essentially, OnePlus is trying to merge the mobile gaming experience (which millions of users are already accustomed to on smartphones) with the form factor of a dedicated portable device. Speaking of which, OnePlus plans to be the first company to utilize LPDDR6 in its devices.

The portable console market is currently experiencing a renaissance. The Steam Deck proved that there’s demand for these devices, and the Nintendo Switch has long been a mainstream hit, but nearly all gaming handhelds are built around the same core concept: physical controllers flanking the screen. Instead of copying a tried-and-true formula, OnePlus is doubling down on what it excels at — optimizing touchscreen performance, delivering high display refresh rates, and packing in flagship-tier smartphone-grade hardware.

Over in the OnePlus Club community, a conceptual AI-generated render has already surfaced. It depicts a device with side grips, a minimal number of physical buttons, and compact sticks, but the company itself hasn’t officially commented on anything. What’s more, this is all happening amidst rumors of internal troubles within the company.

For now, there’s very little information regarding specs, release timelines, or even the device’s very existence. Digital Chat Station is a source with a mixed track record — they’ve had both accurate leaks and incorrect predictions. It’s also worth noting that the market for Android-based consoles has seen various companies try to break into it, but none have achieved mainstream success so far. OnePlus will have to compete not only with traditional handhelds but also with its own smartphones.

What do you think — is touchscreen control on a console a step forward, or an attempt to solve a problem that doesn’t exist? Share your thoughts in the comments.