ARC partners with Qualcomm to develop Arc X1 handheld console

Indian gaming startup ARC has announced a partnership with Qualcomm to develop the Arc X1, an Android-powered handheld gaming console. The collaboration aims to integrate Qualcomm’s compute, AI, and wireless connectivity solutions into the device.

The Arc X1 is designed specifically to meet the needs of gamers in emerging markets, such as India, with a primary focus on power efficiency. Co-founder Jobin Joseph stated that the company believes the future of gaming hardware lies in performance-per-watt to ensure portability, battery life, and accessibility.

The console will run on a custom Android-based operating system called ‘OwlOS’. This system will feature a controller-first interface, system-level performance optimizations, and access to games across multiple platforms. While the specific chipset has not been disclosed, the hardware will leverage Qualcomm’s technology to achieve its efficiency goals.