Acer spent CES 2026 showing off monitors, laptops and other hardware in Las Vegas. What it didn’t show was just as revealing. The Nitro Blaze handheld gaming PCs, which had been touted for more than a year, were nowhere to be seen.
If you’re waiting for the Acer Nitro Blaze handheld release date before purchasing your next portable device, you’re still stuck in limbo. Acer says the handheld category remains in its U.S. plans, but the company has not set a local launch date and is prioritizing core products while tariff-related costs remain uncertain.
Acer’s roadmap still has gaps
Acer first announced its handheld ambitions with a Nitro Blaze 7 prototype shown at IFA 2024. At CES 2025, the company expanded the lineup with the Nitro Blaze 8 and Nitro Blaze 11, including an unusually large 11-inch model that was apparently intended to stand out from smaller competitors.
At CES 2026, the whole thread fell silent. Acer’s message is that handhelds haven’t been abandoned, but U.S. launch plans have yet to be determined as the company grapples with tariffs and focuses on categories it already sells at scale.
The market quickly became tougher
Even without tariff noise, it’s difficult to break into handheld gaming PCs. Steam Deck has become the default choice for many buyers, and newer Windows handhelds like Xbox Ally X and Legion Go 2 are already attracting attention.
The supply side makes timing even more difficult. Rising memory costs and a GPU shortage have made PC hardware bets in 2026 look riskier, especially for a niche device that has yet to demonstrate demand. Committing to production and pricing before the numbers are in could backfire for Acer, which is why they fear.
What you should do instead
If you need a handheld soon, plan for what’s available now, not what might ship later. Acer hasn’t announced a US window, and the CES 2026 no-show suggests the company is still deciding when, or if, the time is right.
When Nitro Blaze returns, the biggest questions won’t be about screen size. Pay attention to pricing, regional availability, and a clear reason why you should choose it over established options. Until Acer finalizes its plans, assume there will be delays and treat any future demo as just a demo.
