GPD Win 5 Review – The Fastest Handheld Gaming Device Yet

Introduction

The GPD Win 5 arrives as the most powerful handheld gaming PC the channel has ever tested. Built around the new Stricks Halo APU, the device combines a massive 80 Wh removable battery, a 7‑inch 120 Hz display, and a host of premium features that push handheld performance into uncharted territory. This review breaks down the design, hardware, real‑world benchmarks, and battery life to see whether the Win 5 truly lives up to its hype.

Design and Build

GPD’s latest handheld retains the familiar silhouette of its predecessors but expands the chassis to accommodate a larger screen and a robust cooling solution.

• Form factor – Slightly larger than previous Win models, yet the weight remains manageable. Without the rear battery the unit weighs about 560 g; with the 80 Wh battery installed it totals roughly 930 g.
• Detachable battery – The rear battery snaps into place with a spring‑loaded lock and connects via a thumb‑screw extension cable, allowing users to hot‑swap batteries or carry spares in a bag.
• Ergonomics – Rounded corners, hall‑effect analog sticks, and a PS Vita‑style dome‑switch D‑pad provide a comfortable grip for long sessions. Locking trigger switches are interchangeable for full‑throw or hair‑trigger configurations.
• Controls – In addition to the standard ABXY buttons, the Win 5 includes dedicated keys for the on‑screen keyboard, a home button, a control‑swap button (switching between controller and keyboard‑mode), and an optical mouse sensor on the right side.

Display and Audio

The Win 5 sports a 7‑inch 1080p IPS panel with a 120 Hz refresh rate and variable‑refresh‑rate (VRR) support, delivering smooth visuals across a range of titles. Dual front‑firing stereo speakers support DTS for immersive audio, while a pair of front microphones round out the sound package.

Connectivity and Ports

GPD equipped the Win 5 with a comprehensive set of I/O options, essential for a desktop‑replacement experience:

• USB‑C 4.0 (40 Gbps) – Full‑speed port on the top edge.
• USB‑C 3.2 – Located at the bottom, also supports a mini‑SSD expansion slot.
• USB‑A 3.2 – Full‑size port for peripherals.
• Power input – Dedicated 180 W power supply connection.
• Wi‑Fi 6E & Bluetooth 5.3 – Latest wireless standards for low‑latency gaming.

Hardware Specifications

GPD offers two APU configurations, but the review unit features the higher‑end AMD Ryzen AI Max 385 based on Zen 5 architecture.

• CPU: 8 cores / 16 threads, base 3.6 GHz, boost up to 5.0 GHz.
• GPU: Radeon 8050 SIG, 32 compute units, RDNA 3.5, boost up to 2.8 GHz.
• Memory: LP‑DDR5X, 8,000 MT/s on a 256‑bit bus; configurable to 32 GB, 64 GB, or 128 GB.
• Storage: M.2 NVMe SSD (up to 2 TB) plus optional mini‑SSD slot.
• Battery: Removable 80 Wh Li‑polymer cell.
• Operating System: Windows 11 out of the box (Linux support also confirmed).

Performance Benchmarks

3DMark Time Spy

Running at the stock 45 W TDP, the Win 5 achieved a total score of 9,360, breaking down into:

• Graphics: > 9,000
• CPU: > 10,000

For comparison, a competing handheld with a Ryzen Z2 Extreme at 25 W managed a total score of 3,664, highlighting the Win 5’s superior GPU power even at lower wattages.

Gaming Performance

The Win 5 was tested across a spectrum of titles, from indie hits to demanding AAA games. Key observations:

• Street Fighter 6 – 1080p, medium settings, 18 W TDP; stable 60 fps with the PS Vita‑style D‑pad delivering precise inputs.
• Spider‑Man 2 – 1080p, medium, 28 W TDP; average 74 fps (up to 130 fps with AMD Frame Generation). Even at 18 W, the game maintained ~80 fps.
• Forza Horizon 5 – 1080p, 16‑17 W TDP; consistently over 100 fps, locked to 120 Hz.
• Cyberpunk 2077 – 1080p, high, 45 W TDP; 90 fps average, dropping to ~62 fps at 25 W.
• Red Dead Redemption 2 – High settings, 45 W TDP; impressive 80 fps average.
• Borderlands 4 – 1080p, medium, 45 W TDP; playable performance, with Frame Generation offering a noticeable boost.
• DOOM Eternal – 1080p, high, 45 W TDP; ample VRAM (16 GB allocated to iGPU) ensured smooth gameplay.

Variable‑refresh‑rate support eliminated screen tearing even when the frame rate dipped below the display’s 120 Hz cap.

Battery Life

Real‑world testing focused on three power envelopes:

• 10 W TDP (indie/2D titles) – 8 h 36 min runtime (e.g., Silk Song, Hades 2).
• 25 W TDP (AAA titles at moderate settings) – 2 h 9 min.
• 45 W TDP (high‑performance gaming) – Approximately 1 hour.

Charging the 80 Wh battery from 0 % to 100 % using the supplied 180 W charger took 1 h 27 min.

Software Experience

Out of the box the Win 5 runs Windows 11, offering full desktop compatibility. The fingerprint sensor doubles as the power button, providing quick, secure logins. For enthusiasts, Linux support is confirmed, and the device’s BIOS allows easy toggling of TDP limits (10 W, 18 W, 25 W, 45 W, up to 65 W when plugged in).

Verdict

The GPD Win 5 sets a new benchmark for handheld gaming PCs. Its Stricks Halo APU delivers desktop‑class performance, while the 80 Wh battery and modular design keep the device portable enough for on‑the‑go sessions. The combination of a high‑refresh‑rate 1080p display, premium audio, and a rich control scheme makes it comfortable for both short bursts and marathon gaming.

While the weight (≈ 930 g with battery) is higher than some rivals, the balanced mass distribution and detachable battery mitigate fatigue. The only notable limitation is the screen size; an 8‑inch panel would have offered a more immersive experience, though the current 7‑inch IPS screen already provides crisp visuals and VRR.

Overall, the Win 5 is a compelling choice for gamers who demand the highest handheld performance without compromising on build quality or flexibility. Its ability to run demanding titles like Spider‑Man 2 and Red Dead Redemption 2 at respectable frame rates makes it a true “PC in your pocket.”