News is buzzing that GPD, a leader in the UMPC (Ultra-Mobile PC) market, is gearing up for another innovation. Following the success of the GPD Pocket 3, the tech community is electric with anticipation for the next-generation model, the 'GPD Pocket 5'. Will the Pocket 5 surpass its predecessor to become the 'ultimate UMPC' we've all been dreaming of? We've compiled all the current rumors and predictions. 💻✨
1. The History of the GPD Pocket Series: A Journey of Innovation
Before we talk about the GPD Pocket 5, it's worth looking back at the path GPD has traveled. The first GPD Pocket, which appeared in 2017, made the concept of a 'Windows PC in your pocket' a reality with a 7-inch display and a full keyboard. The Pocket 2 later led the popularization of UMPCs with better performance and an improved design.
Then, in 2021, GPD introduced the Pocket 3 with the innovative idea of a modular design. This system, which allowed users to swap in modules like a KVM or a serial port as needed, was praised for maximizing the UMPC's versatility. As GPD has shown innovation that exceeds market expectations with each series, the anticipation for the Pocket 5 is higher than ever.
"True innovation lies not in size, but in possibility. GPD has packed infinite possibilities into a small form factor." – A UMPC Enthusiast
2. GPD Pocket 5 Expected Specs: What Will Be Different?
The biggest question is, of course, about performance. The most plausible rumors currently point to the inclusion of the latest mobile processors from AMD and Intel. The choice of CPU could completely change the character of the Pocket 5.
| Component | GPD Pocket 3 (Reference) | GPD Pocket 5 (Expected) |
|---|---|---|
| CPU | Intel Core i7-1195G7 | AMD Ryzen 7 8840U or Intel Core Ultra 7 |
| GPU | Intel Iris Xe Graphics | Radeon 780M or Intel Arc Graphics |
| RAM | 16GB LPDDR4x | 32GB LPDDR5x (7500MHz) |
| Display | 8-inch IPS (1920x1200) | 8.4-inch OLED, 120Hz Refresh Rate, 500nits |
| Storage | 1TB NVMe SSD | Up to 4TB NVMe 4.0 SSD |
| Ports | Thunderbolt 4, USB 3.2, HDMI | USB4, OcuLink, HDMI 2.1 |
| Battery | 10,000mAh | 12,000mAh, 100W GaN charging support |
If it comes with AMD's Ryzen 7 8840U, gaming performance will be dramatically improved thanks to its powerful integrated graphics (Radeon 780M). On the other hand, Intel's Core Ultra 7 processor, with its NPU specialized for AI calculations, would show strengths in various productivity tasks. Either way, a performance boost incomparable to its predecessor is expected.
Particularly noteworthy are the rumors of an OLED display and an OcuLink port. An OLED display supporting 120Hz will provide a smooth and vivid visual experience even on the UMPC's small screen, and the OcuLink port will minimize the performance loss of an eGPU (external graphics card) with higher bandwidth than Thunderbolt, turning the Pocket 5 into a serious gaming machine.
3. Design and Portability: Thinner and Lighter?
The core of a UMPC is portability. The GPD Pocket 3 was somewhat disappointing in terms of portability with its 710g weight and rather thick profile. The community hopes that the Pocket 5 will adopt a CNC-machined aluminum unibody and optimize its internal design to achieve a weight in the 600g range and a thickness under 15mm.
Improvements are also expected for the keyboard and pointing device. Wider keycaps, improved key travel, and an optical finger mouse with pressure sensitivity would enable comfortable work without a separate mouse. Additionally, the 180-degree swivel hinge is expected to be retained, carrying on the usability of tablet mode.
GPD Pocket 5 Key Expectations
- Overwhelming Performance: AMD Ryzen 8040U or Intel Core Ultra CPU
- Next-Gen Display: Vivid picture quality with a 120Hz OLED panel
- Evolution of Expandability: OcuLink port to maximize eGPU performance
- Maximized Portability: A thinner and lighter design
4. Our 'Dream' UMPC: Features We Hope to See in the Pocket 5
Since these are just rumors and not official announcements, we can indulge in some fun speculation. If our voice could reach the GPD developers, what if these features were added? 🤩
- A Better Webcam: The webcam on the Pocket 3 was of disappointing quality. A high-quality FHD or better webcam is essential for frequent video conferencing.
- Improved Speakers: A quad-speaker system that produces rich sound despite its small size would significantly upgrade the content consumption experience.
- Official Stylus Pen Support: We hope an official stylus pen supporting 4096 levels of pressure sensitivity will be released for a better writing and drawing experience.
- Various Color Options: Offering a variety of color options like silver and white, in addition to the existing dark colors, would broaden consumer choice.
5. Release Date and Estimated Price: When Can We Get It?
The most practical question. Considering GPD's previous product release cycles, it seems likely that the GPD Pocket 5 will begin its funding in Q1 2025, with an official release in Q2. GPD has typically unveiled its products through crowdfunding platforms like Indiegogo before starting official sales.
The price will largely depend on the specs. If it includes high-end components like the latest processors and an OLED display as rumored, the starting price is likely to be over $1,200. Of course, GPD has always offered various spec options, so a base model might be released at a slightly lower price. Considering the Pocket 3 started at around $900, this is a significant price increase, but it's a justifiable one given the expected performance leap.
Conclusion: Will It Usher in a New Era?
The GPD Pocket 5 has the potential to be more than just a sequel; it could set a new paradigm in the UMPC market. If the Pocket 5 is released with the powerful performance, stunning display, and expandability that the rumors suggest, the 'PC in your pocket' will no longer be a product of compromise, but a powerful tool that threatens the position of the 'main PC'. While everything is still under wraps, we eagerly await the official announcement. What does your dream GPD Pocket 5 look like?