ONEXPLAYER Apex Handheld with Liquid Cooling and Ryzen AI Max Plus 395 Redefines Portable Gaming

Introduction

The handheld gaming market has surged this year, but the upcoming ONEXPLAYER Apex promises to push the envelope even further. Featuring an 8‑inch variable‑refresh‑rate screen, a silent liquid‑cooling solution, and the powerhouse AMD Ryzen AI Max Plus 395 processor, the Apex aims to deliver laptop‑class performance in a portable form factor. While official pricing and full specifications are still pending, the leak‑driven details already paint a picture of a device that could set a new benchmark for premium handhelds.

Design and Build

The Apex’s aesthetic is anchored by premium gold‑bronze accents that differentiate it from the more utilitarian designs of its competitors. Only a single color variant has been shown so far, but the build quality appears to be on par with the high‑end devices released earlier in the year.

• Materials: Likely a combination of aluminum chassis and reinforced polymer for weight reduction.
• Ergonomics: Symmetrical button layout with adjustable multi‑stage triggers, offering both hair‑trigger and full‑linear pull settings.
• Audio: Dual Harman‑tuned stereo speakers for immersive sound.

Performance Core

At the heart of the Apex lies the AMD Ryzen AI Max Plus 395 SoC, a top‑tier chip that brings desktop‑grade power to a handheld.

• CPU: 16 cores, 32 threads – a substantial step up from the previous Z1 Extreme.
• GPU: Radeon 8060 Si with 40 Compute Units, comparable to the RTX 4060 laptop variant.
• AI Features: Integrated AI acceleration for tasks like upscaling and voice processing.

When running at its native handheld power envelope, the Apex should comfortably handle any current AAA title at 1080p with high settings. In docked mode, the chip can be pushed to 1440p, delivering a desktop‑like experience on an external monitor.

Display

The device sports an 8‑inch IPS panel with a native 120 Hz variable refresh rate (VRR). The screen appears to be the same panel used in the MSI Claw 8i, Legion Go S, and the AOK Zoey A1X, offering:

• Resolution: 1920 × 1080 (Full HD)
• Color Gamut: 100 % sRGB
• Brightness: Up to 500 nits
• Panel Type: IPS (not OLED) – a trade‑off that helps keep costs and power draw lower while still delivering crisp visuals.

Cooling System

One of the intriguing aspects of the Apex is its silent liquid‑cooling system. While many handhelds rely on vapor‑chamber technology, ONEXPLAYER hints at a bespoke liquid loop designed specifically for this device. The exact implementation remains under wraps, but the goal is clear: maintain high performance without the fan noise typical of high‑TDP handhelds.

Storage Options

• Internal SSD: Form factor not confirmed, but recent ONEXPLAYER models favor the 2280 M.2 size, allowing for easy upgrades.
• Expandable Storage: Support for mini‑SSD (also known as “M.2 2230”) modules ranging from 512 GB to 2 TB. These drives can achieve sequential read/write speeds of up to 3,700 MB/s and 3,400 MB/s respectively, far surpassing the performance of any micro‑SD card.

Battery and Power Management

Battery capacity has yet to be announced. Speculation points to either a 72.7 Wh or 80 Wh pack—both sizes used in the AOK Zoey A1X. The Apex will support a maximum power draw of 120 W, primarily intended for docked operation. When used on battery, the device does not need to sustain the full 120 W to deliver strong performance, which should help moderate runtime.

• Potential Runtime: Expect moderate gaming sessions on a single charge; a larger battery (e.g., 99 Wh, the airline limit) would be ideal but is not confirmed.

Pricing and Market Position

No official price has been released, but given the premium components—especially the Ryzen AI Max Plus 395 and the custom liquid‑cooling solution—the Apex will likely sit at the high end of the handheld market. Early comparisons suggest a price point similar to the GPD device that also utilizes the Max Plus 395, positioning the Apex as a flagship option for enthusiasts willing to invest in top‑tier portable performance.

Conclusion

The ONEXPLAYER Apex promises a compelling blend of power, cooling efficiency, and premium design. Its AMD Ryzen AI Max Plus 395 SoC, paired with a high‑refresh‑rate IPS display and a novel liquid‑cooling system, could deliver laptop‑class gaming in a handheld shell. While the final price and battery specifications remain unknown, the leaked specs indicate that ONEXPLAYER is aiming to redefine what gamers expect from portable devices. If the company can balance performance with reasonable battery life and a competitive price, the Apex could become the benchmark for future high‑end handhelds.