India-based gaming company Arc has launched the Arc X1, its first gaming handheld. The device combines Qualcomm’s Snapdragon G2 Gen 2 chipset with a custom Android-based operating system, a 7-inch display and controls designed for extended gaming sessions.

The Arc X1 runs OwlOS, which Arc built on the Android Open Source Project for the handheld. It supports Android games, emulators and cloud gaming services, while giving users control over settings such as per-game performance profiles, button layouts, resolution scaling and fan curves.

Arc X1 specifications and display

The handheld uses a Snapdragon G2 Gen 2 processor with 8GB of LPDDR5X RAM and 128GB of UFS 3.1 storage. A microSD card slot provides an option for expanding the available space, which could be useful for larger game libraries and emulator files.

Its 7-inch LCD panel has a Full HD resolution, a 16:9 aspect ratio and a 120Hz refresh rate. Corning Gorilla Glass 3 covers the display. Arc has also fitted an active cooling system with a built-in fan to help manage temperatures during longer play sessions.

Physical controls include replaceable zero-drift analog sticks, microswitch ABXY buttons and a D-pad. The X1 also has two programmable rear buttons and dual Linear Resonant Actuators for haptic feedback.

Battery life and connectivity

The Arc X1 contains a 9,300mAh battery and supports 27W wired fast charging. Arc says the device can provide up to eight hours of use in silent mode, although actual endurance will depend on the game, display settings and other usage conditions.

Other hardware includes front-facing stereo speakers, dual microphones and a 3.5mm headphone jack. Wireless connections come through Wi-Fi 6E and Bluetooth 5.4, while a USB Type-C 3.1 port handles wired connectivity. The handheld weighs approximately 500 grams.

Arc X1 price and availability

Early waitlisters can buy the Arc X1 for INR 29,500. Regular customers will be able to purchase it for INR 33,500 from October 2.

With OwlOS, Arc is positioning the X1 as a flexible Android gaming machine rather than a device limited to native handheld titles. Its combination of emulator support, cloud streaming and customizable controls gives owners several ways to use the hardware, while the microSD slot allows the built-in storage to be supplemented.