The GNOME Project is actually working on a new game UI frontend called highscore that is aiming to work like retroarch but doesn't depend on libretro at all and libretro being pieces of shit is part of the reason. Thankfully HighScore is coming along quite nicely
this is why there are a bunch of other companies selling you devices that can play stuff at slightly higher resolutions for lower amounts of time while valve is doing the opposite.
handhelds is a balancing act to try cater to people
you either get 1080p 60fps and crap battery (unless you want to go the 1600p legion go route) or you get 800p/720p 40-90fps and decent battery if you are smart