Android vs Linux Retro Handhelds: Which Is Better?

It’s a question that every single user in the handheld space asks at least once – Android vs Linux retro handhelds? Which one should you get?

The honest answer is, that they’re a lot more similar nowadays than not.

Let’s cover some important points.

Android

A lot more variety in the what you can choose

There’s tons and tons of Android emulators and apps, and lots that aren’t available on Linux. You have a ton of variety and options when it comes to what you want to use especially when it comes to Switch emulation or PC emulation, there’s forks and new emulators every day.

But also, do you want to use a browser? Use Syncthing or any version of it? Install a game off the Google Play Store? You can do all of it, and easily.

Frontend options are plentiful

Don’t like your Android frontend? Wait a day, you’ll have another option. There seems to be a new frontend made every day and whatever you want your device to look like, you can have it look like.

Better streaming support

It’s a lot easier to stream on Android – not just PC streaming through apps like Moonlight or Artemis, but also console streaming like PXPlay, XBPlay and more. On top of that, you have Nvidia GeForce Now support – Android really has a leg up for streaming.

Installing Linux can be done

With newer Snapdragon devices like the AYN Odin 3, Odin 2 Portal, Thor and a lot of Retroid devices, you can now install and even dual boot Linux operating systems like Armada. It’s significantly easier to install Linux on Android devices than it is to install Android on Linux devices.

Sleep just works

One of the key parts to Android is sleep mode, it just works. Push the power button and your device goes to sleep, losing roughly 3-6% every day, but the entire sleep aspect just works without fail.

Linux

Support for PC emulators is big

One of the major pros to modern Linux operating systems on handhelds like Armada or other CachyOS/SteamOS-like operating systems is that you can just use and install the actual PC emulators instead of forks of them. Want to use PCSX2 or RPCS3? You can. You don’t need to use an Android port of it.

A more console-like experience

Linux devices have a leg up in the “console-like” experience category. Turn it on, and it doesn’t feel like you’re using a phone – it feels like you’re using an actual console device. This has been a staple of most all Linux handhelds.

Steam + Proton = Good

If you’ve been using a SteamOS-like operating system, or a CachyOS based one, then you know the benefits of Steam and Proton. Instead of running games through an Android compatibility layer, you’re running games through the same ecosystem that devices like the Steam Deck use. With Valve continuing to expand SteamOS to more hardware and ARM-based devices like Steam Frame, the Linux gaming ecosystem is only getting more interesting.

More unified experience

With Android, you have multiple different apps all doing different things and it feels fragmented. With Linux, you have a unified system around gaming – and everything around it is built to make that experience better.

Which should you choose?

There’s no clear winner and everyone is different. Both can be good or bad depending on your use case and the person, but there’s a few things to put you in the right bucket.

If you want freedom, the widest range of emulators, apps, streaming options and flexibility, Android is the right choice.

If you want a simpler, console-like experience and PC gaming through Steam/Proton, Linux is where you go.

But the best part is, with operating systems like Armada, you don’t really need to choose on newer Snapdragon handhelds. Keep Android and boot into Linux and you have the best of both worlds.