Developed over 16 months, X1 features Snapdragon G2 Gen 2, a 7-inch 120Hz Full HD display, TMR controls, 9,300mAh battery and ARC’s controller-first OwlOS
ARC today announced the launch of ARC X1, its first gaming handheld, and revealed the complete specifications of the device.
Developed over the past 16 months alongside a growing community of gamers, X1 brings together performance-focused hardware, precision controls, active cooling and OwlOS, ARC’s controller-first gaming operating system.
X1 is powered by the Snapdragon G2 Gen 2 Gaming Platform and features a 7-inch Full HD display with a 120Hz refresh rate, zero-drift TMR analog sticks, Hall-effect triggers, dual LRA haptics, a 9,300mAh battery and 128GB UFS 3.1 storage with microSDXC expansion.
The device has been developed through an iterative process involving ARC’s early community, with feedback used across the hardware, software and overall gaming experience.
BUILT AROUND PERFORMANCE
At the heart of X1 is the Snapdragon G2 Gen 2 Gaming Platform, built on a 4nm process and integrating Qualcomm® Kryo™ 8 Core CPU and Qualcomm® Adreno™ A22 GPU.
The device features 8GB LPDDR5X memory running at 8533 MT/s and 128GB UFS 3.1 storage.
X1 allows players to choose how they want to balance performance, thermals and battery life depending on the game and situation.
An active cooling system with a high-efficiency centrifugal fan uses rear intake and top exhaust airflow to help maintain sustained performance during extended gaming sessions.
A 7-INCH 120HZ GAMING DISPLAY
X1 features a custom-built 7-inch Full HD LTPS TFT LCD display with a 1920 × 1080 resolution and 120Hz refresh rate.
The display delivers 500 nits typical brightness, approximately 100% sRGB coverage and a 16:9 aspect ratio.
The panel is protected by Gorilla Glass 3 cover glass and features a bezel-less design.
ARC designed the display around gaming, with a large 16:9 canvas intended to provide an immersive experience across a wide range of games.
CONTROLS DESIGNED FOR PRECISION
X1 features zero-drift TMR analog sticks, designed for high precision, low power consumption and long-term reliability.
The sticks are paired with premium tactile microswitch ABXY buttons and a precision microswitch D-pad.
For additional control, X1 includes:
- Two programmable rear buttons
- Analog Hall-effect triggers
- Mechanical trigger locks
- Built-in joystick calibration
- Fully customisable controller mapping
- Per-game controller profiles
- Up to 1TB expandable memory
Dual LRA haptics
X1 uses dual LRA motors rather than conventional ERM vibration motors.
An ERM motor generates vibration by spinning an off-centre mass. An LRA, by contrast, uses a moving mass driven along a defined axis by electromagnetic force. Because the actuator is designed around a resonant frequency, it can achieve faster response characteristics and more controlled vibration when driven appropriately.
For X1, this provides a more precise foundation for communicating tactile events through the controller. The system can be used as another feedback channel alongside the display and audio system.
POWER FOR LONGER SESSIONS
X1 packs a 9,300mAh battery with support for 27W USB Power Delivery fast charging.
ARC targets 8+ hours of gaming in Silent Mode, with actual battery life varying according to game, brightness, volume and system settings.
The device also includes an 80% charging limit to give users greater control over long-term battery health.
OWLOS – BUILT AROUND THE CONTROLLER
X1 runs OwlOS, ARC’s controller-first gaming operating system built on AOSP.
Rather than adapting a traditional mobile interface to a handheld, OwlOS is designed around the controller from the ground up.
It brings together a unified game library, game launcher, native Android gaming and cloud gaming, while giving players control over how individual games run.
Key OwlOS features include:
- Controller-first interface
- Unified game library
- Native Android gaming
- Cloud gaming
- Game launcher
- Per-game performance profiles
- Per-game controller mapping
- Resolution scaling
- FPS overlay
- Quick Resume
- Custom fan profiles
- Controller remapping
- OTA firmware updates
- OwlOS account synchronisation
CONNECTIVITY AND AUDIO
X1 supports Wi-Fi 6E and Bluetooth 5.4, alongside USB-C connectivity with USB 3.1 and display output via USB-C.
The device also supports USB OTG, upto 1TB microSDXC storage expansion and wireless controllers.
For audio, X1 features dual front-facing stereo speakers, a 3.5mm headphone jack and Fluence-based noise-cancelling microphones.
BUILT FOR LONG-TERM OWNERSHIP
ARC has designed X1 with long-term ownership in mind.
The battery and joystick caps are replaceable, while modular daughterboards and spare-parts availability are intended to make servicing the device easier over its lifetime.
ARC X1 – KEY SPECIFICATIONS
| Category | Specification |
| Gaming Platform | Snapdragon G2 Gen 2 |
| Process | 4nm |
| CPU | Qualcomm® Kryo 8 Core CPU |
| GPU | Qualcomm® Adreno A22 GPU |
| Memory | 8GB LPDDR5X @ 8533 MT/s |
| Storage | 128GB UFS 3.1 |
| Expansion | Upto 1TB microSDXC |
| Display | 7″ LTPS TFT LCD |
| Resolution | 1920 × 1080 FHD |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz |
| Brightness | 500 nits typical |
| Battery | 9,300mAh |
| Charging | 27W USB PD |
| Analog Sticks | TMR, zero-drift |
| Triggers | Analog Hall-effect + mechanical locks |
| Haptics | Dual LRA immersive precision haptics |
| Cooling | Active cooling |
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 6E |
| Bluetooth | Bluetooth 5.4 |
| USB-C | USB 3.1 + Display Output |
| OS | OwlOS |
| Rear Buttons | 2 programmable |
| Speakers | Dual front-facing stereo |
| Headphone Jack | 3.5mm |
| Weight | 450-500g |
| Repairability | Replaceable battery & joysticks; modular daughterboards |
ARC X1 Early Access starts October 2 at ₹29,500 for ARC early waitlist community, while the regular price will be ₹33,500.
