Tecno Pocket Go Handheld Gaming Console Has AR Glasses Instead of Screen

Tecno has jumped into the handheld gaming console space, but with a huge twist: its new Pocket Go device, unveiled at MWC 2024, does not have a screen. Instead, it is meant to be connected to a pair of AR glasses, giving the wearer the equivalent of a 215-inch TV at a distance of 6m. The unit is effectively a self-contained computer that’s meant to be held in the hand while gaming, much like the Asus ROG Ally and MSI Claw. It runs Windows 11 and uses the Xbox controller layout, which Tecno calls “competition-grade”. No information about pricing or availability has yet been announced.

The Tecno Pocket Go uses an AMD Ryzen 7 8840HS processor, with 8 cores, integrated Radeon 780M graphics, and a Ryzen AI engine. Tecno says the handheld has a large, “PC-level” cooling fan with copper heatpipes to handle the CPU’s 35W TDP. The device is also equipped with 16GB of LPDDR5 RAM and a 1TB PCIe 4.0 SSD. Interestingly, the 50Wh battery is swappable, so gamers can enjoy more playtime on the go. 

Tecno calls this “the world’s most compact Windows handheld”. It is said to be 50 percent smaller and 30 percent lighter than other unnamed Windows gaming handhelds, putting it more in line with some smartphones in terms of portability. 

More interestingly, the headset, which is called AR Pocket Vision, is fitted with a 0.71-inch micro-OLED screen and a diopter that’s adjustable up to 600 degrees for eye comfort. It has a six-axis gyroscope for a “6D immersive gaming experience”, and can track head and eye movement. The company says vibration feedback can enhance gaming. 

The AR Pocket Vision headset will also be sold separately and is said to be compatible with other Tecno ecosystem products and can be used as a monitor for a portable workstation, which could indicate broad compatibility with other PC hardware. Tecno has also announced a “Smart Box” accessory that it says will work as a “central hub for managing games and settings, simplifying the gaming experience for users”, though there are no specific details of how this works. 

The company also showed off its concept robot dog, called Dynamic 1, at MWC 2024. Tecno says it has used cutting-edge AI to push the limits of human-machine interaction. It has a lifelike design and can climb stairs, shake hands, and bow. Using an Intel RealSense depth camera system, an octa-core ARM-based CPU, infrared sensors, and a microphone array, it can respond to voice commands and navigate environments and move around stably.