Acer Unveils Giant 11-Inch Nitro Blaze Gaming Handheld at CES 2025
Acer redefined "portable gaming" at CES 2025 with the launch of the Nitro Blaze 11, a colossal 10.95-inch handheld gaming device. Paired with its smaller sibling, the Nitro Blaze 8, and the new Nitro Mobile Gaming Controller, Acer is making a statement.
Powerhouse Specs: Both Blaze models boast impressive hardware: WQXGA touch displays (up to 144Hz refresh rate), an AMD Ryzen 7 8840HS processor, AMD Radeon 780M graphics, 16GB LPDDR5x RAM, and a spacious 2TB SSD. Acer promises cutting-edge performance and immersive visuals in a portable, foldable form factor. Buyers also receive a three-month PC Game Pass subscription. The key difference? Screen size – the Blaze 8 features an 8.8-inch display.
Size and Weight: The Nitro Blaze 11's impressive screen comes at a cost: it weighs a hefty 1050g. This contrasts sharply with competitors like the Steam Deck (approx. 640g) and Nintendo Switch (approx. 297g). While the Blaze 8 is also substantial at 720g, it's more in line with other PC handhelds like the Lenovo Legion Go and Asus ROG Ally.
Pricing and Availability: Expect all three devices (Blaze 11, Blaze 8, and the Nitro Mobile Gaming Controller) to hit the market in Q2 2025. Pricing is set at $1099 USD for the Blaze 11, $899 USD for the Blaze 8, and $69.99 USD for the controller.
No Z2 Steam Deck 2: While the Nitro Blaze series utilizes the powerful AMD Ryzen 7 chipset, it missed out on AMD's latest Ryzen Z2 processors, designed for high-performance handhelds. Although promotional slides initially suggested a Z2-powered Steam Deck, Valve developer Pierre-Loup Griffais confirmed on Bluesky that a "Z2 Steam Deck is not happening." While a Steam Deck 2 remains on Valve's roadmap, it will require a significant, next-generation upgrade before its release.
