The Logitech G Cloud is an interesting gadget. It is a portable cloud gaming platform that emphasizes giving you immediate access to games thanks to the power of the cloud. This would make it perfect for gamers who want to start playing right away and don’t want to waste time downloading large install files or fiddling with game settings to extend their battery life.
However, the G Cloud can’t really compete in the expanding handheld gaming market due to its variable streaming performance, high cost, and limited use cases.
Despite the fact that it appears to be a stylish cross between the two, you shouldn’t compare it to the Nintendo Switch or the Steam Deck. In terms of both power and functionality, the G Cloud is most comparable to a high-end Android tablet.
Utilizing the sizable cloud gaming libraries offered by GeForce Now, which enables you to stream games you own on different platforms like Steam, Epic, and Ubisoft, and Xbox Cloud Gaming (via Game Pass), is the idea. You can now play your favorite games whenever the mood strikes without having to download anything with just a few button clicks. Additionally, because it accesses games through the cloud, the G Cloud can get away with having less hardware going on, which improves battery life in comparison.
Logitech G Cloud Software
The Logitech G Cloud comes with Android 11 as its operating system, which seems odd given that Android 13 was only recently released on some devices, but I suppose most users won’t be interested in the newest Android features, anyhow. It is advised to play in “Handheld Mode,” which overlays a dedicated launcher similar to the Nintendo Switch home screen and includes a series of tiles cascading horizontally in order of most recent use to give it a more console-like feel.
It had to be set up with my Google account before I could choose to boot into the aforementioned Handheld or Tablet Modes when I first powered it on. Along with the standard Xbox and Steam Link apps for local streaming, it also has the Xbox Cloud Streaming (beta) and Nvidia GeForce Now apps preloaded. Along with the four gaming options, the device comes preinstalled with the usual set of Google apps, including Chrome, Calendar, Contacts, Maps, etc. Unfortunately, none of these apps can be removed from the device.
You can get almost any other app you could possibly want from the Google Play Store, including Netflix, Disney+, and the virtually endless supply of Android shovelware games. Although it was advertised as a cloud streaming device, apps like PlayStation Remote Play and Amazon Luna didn’t recognize the built-in controller and only provided the option of pairing a separate Bluetooth controller or using touchscreen controls instead. You are currently limited to using the four aforementioned cloud or local game streaming apps; it’s difficult to predict whether any other apps will be supported in the future.
It didn’t get much better with the Nvidia GeForce Now app either. I launched it and signed in with my Nvidia account, but after being informed that I didn’t have a subscription, it returned me to the login screen with no way to sign up or try the service for free. Instead, I had to visit the Nvidia website, register there, then go back to the G Cloud and re-register before I could begin playing games. It certainly seems like you have to go through a lot of hoops to get to your games on a device that is supposed to encourage spontaneity.
In Handheld mode, the settings app provides a few limited customization options, including a light and dark theme and four wallpaper options. However, there don’t seem to be any choices to further customize or add your own unique wallpapers. The device’s buttons can all be remapped, with the exception of the G button, in another section.
Logitech G Cloud Specification
A nearly three-year-old midrange 8-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 720G processor designed for efficiency over power powers the Logitech G Cloud. This isn’t a huge problem because most of the labor-intensive work in cloud gaming is done on the server. Don’t expect cutting edge performance, though, if you intend to download and play games locally from the Google Play store.
The 7-inch LCD screen has 450 nits of brightness and good viewing angles thanks to IPS technology. In all honesty, the 1080p resolution and 60Hz refresh rate it offers are more than sufficient for cloud gaming.
The 6,000mAh internal battery should provide you with a battery life of approximately 12 hours. In my experience, I discovered that this was remarkably accurate, with the amount dropping by between 5 and 10% for every hour of Xbox Cloud Streaming play. Even better, you can charge your device from 0% to 100% in just two and a half hours thanks to Fast Charge 3.0 support via the USB-C port on the bottom.
The G Cloud has a 3D gyroscope and haptic feedback, similar to many other mobile devices, but these features weren’t supported during any of my cloud gaming sessions and only appear to work with native Android apps and games.
There are stereo speakers, a headphone jack, and a USB-C charging port with USB-C digital headphones support on the bottom of the Logitech G Cloud. Additionally, it works with Bluetooth headphones, and it includes a stereo microphone with some echo cancellation and noise cancellation from the outside.
which is better for gaming smartphone or a Logitech G?
I enjoyed playing a variety of games on the Logitech G Cloud Gaming Handheld, but every time I used it, I couldn’t help but feel like it wasn’t necessary. Since I already have a Razer Kishi V2 and an Android phone that are both capable of playing cloud games, the Logitech G Cloud Gaming Handheld was never successful enough to move beyond the status of novelty item.
The results are mixed, but if the user experience were significantly superior to that of a phone, it might have won me over. Even though the device otherwise has fully remappable controls, the touchscreen is necessary for keyboards or number pads, so you cannot even unlock the device without using the touchscreen. Apps can be pinned, but folders cannot be created. This product isn’t providing anything that is particularly necessary, unless you have an iOS or Android device with a subpar screen that can’t use cloud gaming services.
Conclusion
The Logitech G Cloud delivers on its promise to stream games from a few services either locally or via the cloud, and it does so effectively. The entry barrier is very high, though. When compared to other options, it is not only expensive at $349, but it also may require you to pay for additional subscription services in order to fully utilize cloud streaming and guarantee that your internet speed is fast enough to enjoy it all.