Armada, a Linux-based operating system for ARM gaming handhelds, has been released in preview build 20260915.
Armada is a SteamOS-inspired operating system built specifically for handheld devices like the Retroid Pocket and AYN Thor, bringing Steam’s Game Mode interface along with emulator and streaming support. It follows just over a week after preview build 20260907.
New in this release are improved hardware display rotation for gaming on SM8550, SM8650, and SM8750 devices, a reimplemented installer for greater reliability, and support for more handheld models including the AYN Thor Lite and the AYANEO Pocket S 1K.
Performance Enhancements:
- Hardware display rotation improvements for gaming on SM8550, SM8650, and SM8750 devices
- Night mode, color temperature, and vibrance now functional during direct scanout
New Device Support:
- AYN Thor Lite
- AYANEO Pocket S 1K
- Visionox display variants for Retroid Pocket 5 and Pocket Flip 2
- Added color profiles for AYN Odin 2 Portal, AYANEO Pocket EVO, and Pocket DS
Installer Improvements:
- Reimplemented for enhanced reliability and fewer update failures
- Can now preserve Android data when replacing Linux CFW installations
- Improved touch-friendly storage sizing controls
Steam & Gaming:
- Global Follow Steam option added to Armada Control
- Restored Proton selection dropdown for newer Steam beta clients
- CPU topology settings now override Proton defaults
Device Features:
- DisplayPort audio output on AYN Odin 3 and KONKR Pocket FIT Elite
- Lid switch support for AYANEO Pocket DS
- Fixed Qualcomm battery reporting
Software Updates:
- InputPlumber upgraded to 0.79.0
- Decky Loader upgraded to 3.2.9
Store Additions: BigPEmu, MAME, PrimeHack, Ymir
Source: GitHub