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[Lambogenie]

Because they use pre-made shit OEM plastic moulds that are easily available, which is the reason the build quality is shit as well.

Wouldn't say they're shit. Chinese quality definitely isn't all as bad as we used to see. Still there, but these handhelds among other tech and cars, proving China's willingness to provide serious bang for buck.

They're far more agile, that's just something I've observed professionally as well.

 

[UltimaKilo]

I feel like the competition is heating up and Retroid Pocket 6 might not be the king as long as the RP5 was.

 

[StereoVsn]

I feel like the competition is heating up and Retroid Pocket 6 might not be the king as long as the RP5 was.

The Ayaneo "cheaper" sub-brand Konkr is pretty good as well.

KONKR Pocket FIT - AYANEO

Founded in 2020, AYANEO is a revolutionary brand for portable gaming consoles. Our team consists of passionate gamers and tech-savvy experts who want to provide gamers with the most advanced and up-to-date gaming experiences. We’ve developed a line of powerful and portable gaming handhelds, with...

www.ayaneo.com

 

[Doczu]

After comparing the specs with they Ayn Thor i'm kinda on the fence. For a 100 bucks more (compared to the 12GB RP6) you get a dual screen handheld literally made for DS and 3DS (with some Wii U) emulation. Same chipset, so all the other consoles will run as good as on the RP.

OG Xbox emulation is more mature on Linux, I don't think anything has been done (yet) on Android. Xemu runs great in Rocknix, which the Retroid Pocket 5 can boot to.

Here's a video with some examples

Wow, forgot you could dual boot linux on it. Nevertheless, a portable Xbox is still years away...

 

[UltimaKilo]

The Ayaneo "cheaper" sub-brand Konkr is pretty good as well.

KONKR Pocket FIT - AYANEO

Founded in 2020, AYANEO is a revolutionary brand for portable gaming consoles. Our team consists of passionate gamers and tech-savvy experts who want to provide gamers with the most advanced and up-to-date gaming experiences. We’ve developed a line of powerful and portable gaming handhelds, with...

www.ayaneo.com

There may be a new Trim UI Pro 2 in the works and some rumors of a successor to the G350.

 

[S0ULZB0URNE]

Specs seem nice.
A non portable version available?

 

[BennyBlanco]

Specs seem nice.
A non portable version available?

No but i think these all have HDMI outs.

 

[S0ULZB0URNE]

No but i think these all have HDMI outs.

Dang

 

[Odinnii]

First Impression of the G2


Direct link

 

[U n i o n 0015]

I'm going to get the 6 but with the left analog up top. Will be a nice in-between RP mini and Steam Deck device.

 

[BennyBlanco]

 

[Doczu]

And here i was thinking the mobile RAM chips are different enough from the bigger ones to be safe from the AI craze... Gotta buy a THOR fast

 

[Lambogenie]

Fuuuu

 

[Tobimacoss]

This looks pretty good, just wish it was bigger screen.

Ayn Odin 3 Portal will be far superior buy.

 

[BennyBlanco]

This looks pretty good, just wish it was bigger screen.

Ayn Odin 3 Portal will be far superior buy.

and probably twice as much or close to it.

But I have been extremely impressed with Ayn Thor. And Portal 2 is supposed to be incredible.

 

[StereoVsn]

and probably twice as much or close to it.

But I have been extremely impressed with Ayn Thor. And Portal 2 is supposed to be incredible.

Yeah, with SSD and RAM price increases I figure Portal will be $450-500+.

Which is why I succumbed to FOMO and ordered the Thor. I actually enjoy playing DS/3DS game on actual hardware and wanted to see how Thor would run them.

 

[CobraAB]

I am really considering a AYN Odin 3 or Maybe a Ayaneo Konkr Pocket Fit. There is a Snapdragon G3 Gen 3 and a Elite 8 version of it. Shipping seems sketchy with Ayaneo stuff though.

 

[StereoVsn]

I am really considering a AYN Odin 3 or Maybe a Ayaneo Konkr Pocket Fit. There is a Snapdragon G3 Gen 3 and an Elite 8 version of it. Shipping seems sketchy with Ayaneo stuff though.

Odin 3 seems to be the best of the bunch but it is significantly pricier.

 

[BennyBlanco]

Yeah, with SSD and RAM price increases I figure Portal will be $450-500+.

Which is why I succumbed to FOMO and ordered the Thor. I actually enjoy playing DS/3DS game on actual hardware and wanted to see how Thor would run them.

It's a great handheld dude. What model did you get?

If you need help configuring shoot me a PM

 

[Buggy Loop]

No surprises there. We'll hear those kind of news more and more in coming months. I fear even for Valve's steam machine.

 

[StereoVsn]

It's a great handheld dude. What model did you get?

If you need help configuring shoot me a PM

I grabbed middle 12GB version with rainbow button colors plus TPU case and grips.

Figured what the hell since I expect prices to go up next year! And yeah, might bug you about the setup . Got a few guides saved in YouTube already as well, lol.

 

[BennyBlanco]

 

[Facism]

damn wish they did a 6 button version

 

[Sticks]

That AYN Thor in purple is hot

 

[damidu]

beauty! was able to put a pre-order for batch1 last minute.
cant wait

 

[Giallo Corsa]

Gents, apologies for derailing again. This is going to be a long post but hear me out :

I've been looking at the more powerful handheld options out there: the RP6, the Konkr Pocket Fit / G3, the Odin 3 and the Thor. My thinking was that if I jump in, I might as well go all in...

...that said, I already own a Samsung Tab S9+ (12.4 inches, 12 GB RAM, Snapdragon 8 Gen 2), and I honestly still don't know what to do :
I gave emulation a proper try on the Tab S9 last night, and I'm somewhat satisfied. I say "somewhat" because there are a few hurdles:
First, PS2 emulation with NetherSX2. As expected, not every game behaves the same. Titles like DMC 1 & 2, ICO, Chaos Legion and Kuon run almost flawlessly, aside from some occasional screen artifacts. On the other hand, something like OutRun 2 runs at around 25 fps, even with Vulkan, unless you disable a VERY specific option related to game cache.
Disabling that option makes the game run at 60 fps, with some dips during fog-heavy sections, but it breaks other things like the car selection screen, where the cars simply don't appear anymore. I'm not sure I can be bothered tweaking very specific settings on a per-game basis.

Second, pairing my DualSense with the tablet every single time.

Third, using DeX mode and plugging in an HDMI adapter whenever I want to play on the TV introduces a whole new set of issues : DeX outputs a second screen to the TV that can only really be controlled from the tablet itself. The DualSense touchpad technically works as a mouse, but it's extremely sensitive and frankly a pain to use properly.
That said, I genuinely enjoyed revisiting Chaos Legion after all these years (I love this shitty game), as well as OutRun 2 (even if it doesn't look as good as the original Xbox version).

Given that my Tab S9+ has essentially the same specs as most high-end Android handhelds (excluding the Snapdragon Elite ones), I assume the actual emulation performance and experience would be more or less identical on a handheld. Is that correct?
I also tried GameHub on my S24 Ultra (12 GB RAM, Snapdragon 8 Gen 3), and the experience was buggy enough that I didn't really enjoy it.
Taking all this into account, if you were in my position, would you still go for a dedicated handheld? Portability isn't a major factor for me. Convenience is.
The more "plug and play" the experience is, the better. On the other hand, setting up a handheld from scratch, with a frontend, multiple emulators, BIOS files, and so on, looks like yet another headache.

Finally, I'd like to ask about build quality : What happens if something goes wrong? How is customer support for these devices? Do they need to be shipped back to China? How well do the triggers, buttons, and sticks hold up over time?
Also, do these handhelds support rumble or vibration at all?

Sorry again for the wall of text. Cheers.

 

[Doczu]

Giallo Corsa i can only chip in regarding ergonomics, cooling and refunds/customer support

Dedicated emu handhelds have better (or sometimes worse) physical buttons and grips, so that works better than a flat tablet.

And the higher end ones make use of active cooling. Pushing PS2/NGC games at higher res for longer of times will throttle your tablet really fast.

Customer support is a mixed bag. Got only an anecdotal story of my buddy who bought a RP2: screen died on his unit something like two weeks after warranty. Wrote them directly and they still said they would replace it under warranty. Just paid the shipping to them, return was on the house. Just make sure you buy from the official sites, not an aliexpress shop. Buying a console from the bigger manufacturers is quite safe, they use good parts, have real cust support and warranty and unit failiure is not a big issue.

 

[BennyBlanco]

Giallo Corsa

GameSir X5s Wireless Mobile Game Controller for Broader Gaming Experience

Discover the GameSir X5s Wireless with tri-mode connectivity, native motion control, and robust compatibility. Elevate your gaming on Switch, Android, iOS, and PC.

gamesir.com

You could slap something like this on your tablet and have basically the same experience. If you want better ps2 emulation get a PC handheld IMO. The PC emulation scene is much more mature.

 

[StereoVsn]

Giallo Corsa i can only chip in regarding ergonomics, cooling and refunds/customer support

Dedicated emu handhelds have better (or sometimes worse) physical buttons and grips, so that works better than a flat tablet.

And the higher end ones make use of active cooling. Pushing PS2/NGC games at higher res for longer of times will throttle your tablet really fast.

Customer support is a mixed bag. Got only an anecdotal story of my buddy who bought a RP2: screen died on his unit something like two weeks after warranty. Wrote them directly and they still said they would replace it under warranty. Just paid the shipping to them, return was on the house. Just make sure you buy from the official sites, not an aliexpress shop. Buying a console from the bigger manufacturers is quite safe, they use good parts, have real cust support and warranty and unit failiure is not a big issue.

Yeah, Retroid, Anbernic and Ayn seem on, with the caveat that shipment will be back to China most likely. No idea about Ayaneo but they are also pretty big so probably ok?

For ergonomics I think a good telescopic controller might be better, but that just depends on the purpose.

For myself, tablet is too big for comfortable handheld gaming. And primary phone is there for other stuff. Hence the purpose of dedicated handhelds.

And if you don't need something super portable, a PC handheld will almost always will be better.

Edit: One good point for the tablet is playing games like Total War, Divinity Original Sin 2 and other similar games. Tablet's bigger screen is a huge plus for that.

 

[VolticArchangel]

Can't believe how far we've come in performance on Android emulation.

Nice to see improvements on PS3 and Wii U.

 

[Giallo Corsa]

Giallo Corsa i can only chip in regarding ergonomics, cooling and refunds/customer support

Dedicated emu handhelds have better (or sometimes worse) physical buttons and grips, so that works better than a flat tablet.

And the higher end ones make use of active cooling. Pushing PS2/NGC games at higher res for longer of times will throttle your tablet really fast.

Customer support is a mixed bag. Got only an anecdotal story of my buddy who bought a RP2: screen died on his unit something like two weeks after warranty. Wrote them directly and they still said they would replace it under warranty. Just paid the shipping to them, return was on the house. Just make sure you buy from the official sites, not an aliexpress shop. Buying a console from the bigger manufacturers is quite safe, they use good parts, have real cust support and warranty and unit failiure is not a big issue.

Giallo Corsa

GameSir X5s Wireless Mobile Game Controller for Broader Gaming Experience

Discover the GameSir X5s Wireless with tri-mode connectivity, native motion control, and robust compatibility. Elevate your gaming on Switch, Android, iOS, and PC.

gamesir.com

You could slap something like this on your tablet and have basically the same experience. If you want better ps2 emulation get a PC handheld IMO. The PC emulation scene is much more mature.

Yeah, Retroid, Anbernic and Ayn seem on, with the caveat that shipment will be back to China most likely. No idea about Ayaneo but they are also pretty big so probably ok?

For ergonomics I think a good telescopic controller might be better, but that just depends on the purpose.

For myself, tablet is too big for comfortable handheld gaming. And primary phone is there for other stuff. Hence the purpose of dedicated handhelds.

And if you don't need something super portable, a PC handheld will almost always will be better.

Edit: One good point for the tablet is playing games like Total War, Divinity Original Sin 2 and other similar games. Tablet's bigger screen is a huge plus for that.

Really, really appreciate the replies boys, thanks !

OK, so, a telescopic controller seems like a good choice, BUT, since my tablet is 12.4 inches, things get expensive since the "XL" versions of said controllers can vary from almost 100€ (gamesir G8 plus) up to 200€ (RAZR one), yeah, at this point, I might as well throw another 100 and just get me a handheld.

You answered about build quality and returns so my next question is : how future proof should I aim for ?
I read that the SD Elite is somewhat problematic compatibility-wise so far.
Also, something about future compatibility with ARM chips? Does this have to do with future PC emulation like gamehub/winlator or do I have it wrong ?

Shall i get one now or wait for any potential 2026 models ?

 

[Trogdor1123]

I really want to jump into this scene but don't want to buy some expensive as I'm not sure I'll stay playing with them. I don't need anything fancy, almost something disposable. I know how bad that sounds but i just don't want to waste money

 

[jshackles]

I really want to jump into this scene but don't want to buy some expensive as I'm not sure I'll stay playing with them. I don't need anything fancy, almost something disposable. I know how bad that sounds but i just don't want to waste money

My entry-level recommendation is usually the Miyoo Mini Plus, which is about $55 and plays everything up to PS1.

Miyoo Mini Plus Handheld Full Specifications - Retro Catalog

View all specifications and features of the Miyoo Mini Plus, the Linux-based gaming handheld that can play up to Nintendo DS games. The Miyoo Mini Plus features a 3.5” IPS screen with an aspect ratio of 4:3, 128 MB of RAM, and a 3000 mAh battery...

retrocatalog.com

I like this one for older retro stuff, mostly because the alternative OS (Onion) is decent, and the system has wifi for easy artwork scraping, system updates, retro achievements, etc.

If you want just a bit of a step up from that, for about $70 I recommend the Miyoo Flip v2

Miyoo Flip Handheld Full Specifications - Retro Catalog

View all specifications and features of the Miyoo Flip, the Linux-based gaming handheld that can play up to Sega Saturn games. The Miyoo Flip features a 3.5” IPS screen with an aspect ratio of 4:3, 1 GB of RAM, and a 3000 mAh battery...

retrocatalog.com

In addition to having a clamshell design (though some people have had issues with the hinge) it also has HDMI output, a better CPU for Dreamcast and N64 emulation, and analog thumbsticks.

 

[StereoVsn]

My entry-level recommendation is usually the Miyoo Mini Plus, which is about $55 and plays everything up to PS1.

Miyoo Mini Plus Handheld Full Specifications - Retro Catalog

View all specifications and features of the Miyoo Mini Plus, the Linux-based gaming handheld that can play up to Nintendo DS games. The Miyoo Mini Plus features a 3.5” IPS screen with an aspect ratio of 4:3, 128 MB of RAM, and a 3000 mAh battery...

retrocatalog.com

I like this one for older retro stuff, mostly because the alternative OS (Onion) is decent, and the system has wifi for easy artwork scraping, system updates, retro achievements, etc.

If you want just a bit of a step up from that, for about $70 I recommend the Miyoo Flip v2

Miyoo Flip Handheld Full Specifications - Retro Catalog

View all specifications and features of the Miyoo Flip, the Linux-based gaming handheld that can play up to Sega Saturn games. The Miyoo Flip features a 3.5” IPS screen with an aspect ratio of 4:3, 1 GB of RAM, and a 3000 mAh battery...

retrocatalog.com

In addition to having a clamshell design (though some people have had issues with the hinge) it also has HDMI output, a better CPU for Dreamcast and N64 emulation, and analog thumbsticks.

Personally I think the screen is too small on these and controls are a bit cramped. Great for say 20 min but not much longer. So YMMV.

I would recommend something with a 4" screen or higher. Maybe even Anbernic RG476h or one of the cheaper devices with larger screens talked about above.

 

[Doczu]

Really, really appreciate the replies boys, thanks !

OK, so, a telescopic controller seems like a good choice, BUT, since my tablet is 12.4 inches, things get expensive since the "XL" versions of said controllers can vary from almost 100€ (gamesir G8 plus) up to 200€ (RAZR one), yeah, at this point, I might as well throw another 100 and just get me a handheld.

You answered about build quality and returns so my next question is : how future proof should I aim for ?
I read that the SD Elite is somewhat problematic compatibility-wise so far.
Also, something about future compatibility with ARM chips? Does this have to do with future PC emulation like gamehub/winlator or do I have it wrong ?

Shall i get one now or wait for any potential 2026 models ?

Anything beyond Snap 8 Gen 2 is future proofing yourself. HOWEVER! The drivers aren't there yet and it will take some time before we get any specific drivers.

8gen2 is enough for even Switch emulation, and no other newer system is even possible on the hardware for now. Maybe better performance for Switch 360 and PS3. Nothing else. Stronger hardware will mostly be useful for playing pc games for now.

 

[Trogdor1123]

My entry-level recommendation is usually the Miyoo Mini Plus, which is about $55 and plays everything up to PS1.

Miyoo Mini Plus Handheld Full Specifications - Retro Catalog

View all specifications and features of the Miyoo Mini Plus, the Linux-based gaming handheld that can play up to Nintendo DS games. The Miyoo Mini Plus features a 3.5” IPS screen with an aspect ratio of 4:3, 128 MB of RAM, and a 3000 mAh battery...

retrocatalog.com

I like this one for older retro stuff, mostly because the alternative OS (Onion) is decent, and the system has wifi for easy artwork scraping, system updates, retro achievements, etc.

If you want just a bit of a step up from that, for about $70 I recommend the Miyoo Flip v2

Miyoo Flip Handheld Full Specifications - Retro Catalog

View all specifications and features of the Miyoo Flip, the Linux-based gaming handheld that can play up to Sega Saturn games. The Miyoo Flip features a 3.5” IPS screen with an aspect ratio of 4:3, 1 GB of RAM, and a 3000 mAh battery...

retrocatalog.com

In addition to having a clamshell design (though some people have had issues with the hinge) it also has HDMI output, a better CPU for Dreamcast and N64 emulation, and analog thumbsticks.

Thanks for this feedback. Is there a horizontal you would recommend in a different form factor? The gameboy style isn't really for me.

 

[iHaunter]

Thanks Odinnii

I haven't bought one of these since the retroid pocket 2. That screen is tempting.

Screen is nice. But $200 is fucking steep for a retro handheld.

 

[StereoVsn]

Screen is nice. But $200 is fucking steep for a retro handheld.

For the hardware it's actually quite a good price point.

 

[jshackles]

Thanks for this feedback. Is there a horizontal you would recommend in a different form factor? The gameboy style isn't really for me.

It's a bit more expensive but I have given a few TrimUI Smart Pros away as gifts, and it's very PSP-like

TRIMUI Smart Pro Handheld Full Specifications - Retro Catalog

View all specifications and features of the TRIMUI Smart Pro, the Linux-based gaming handheld that can play up to Sega Saturn games. The TRIMUI Smart Pro features a 4.96” IPS screen with an aspect ratio of 16:9, 1 GB of RAM, and a 5000 mAh battery...

retrocatalog.com

Larger screen (5 inches), 720p, 16:9 instead of 4:3 (so you'll get black bars on older stuff, but works great for PSP stuff).

They have a newer model, the Smart Pro S

TRIMUI Smart Pro S Handheld Full Specifications - Retro Catalog

View all specifications and features of the TRIMUI Smart Pro S, the Linux-based gaming handheld that can play up to Nintendo 3DS games. The TRIMUI Smart Pro S features a 4.96” IPS screen with an aspect ratio of 16:9, 1 GB of RAM, and a 5000 mAh battery...

retrocatalog.com

Which I don't have personal experience with, but it's got a newer CPU and GPU that can apparently do some gamecube/wii/PS2 stuff.

 

[nbcjr]

I turned my Poco F7 into a retro console, it's got a 6.83-inch screen, and even then, I often feel like it's still a bit too small for comfortable gaming, 5.5 inches would probably just give me a headache trying to focus on such a tiny display.

What kind of hardware did you had to buy to do this?

 

[TonberrysKnife]

I'm on the fence. RP6? Or G2?

 

[StereoVsn]

I'm on the fence. RP6? Or G2?

Definitely RP6.

 

[coffinbirth]

Really, really appreciate the replies boys, thanks !

OK, so, a telescopic controller seems like a good choice, BUT, since my tablet is 12.4 inches, things get expensive since the "XL" versions of said controllers can vary from almost 100€ (gamesir G8 plus) up to 200€ (RAZR one), yeah, at this point, I might as well throw another 100 and just get me a handheld.

You answered about build quality and returns so my next question is : how future proof should I aim for ?
I read that the SD Elite is somewhat problematic compatibility-wise so far.
Also, something about future compatibility with ARM chips? Does this have to do with future PC emulation like gamehub/winlator or do I have it wrong ?

Shall i get one now or wait for any potential 2026 models ?

Just get a Steam Deck.
Honestly, other than battery life it shits on all of these other handhelds when it comes to emulation. Not just performance, but compatibility as well. Not to mention pc games on deck vs gamehub is a joke. Unless you are just wanting something small, Steam Deck is still handheld emulation king by a wide margin. If DS and 3DS are a big deal to you, go Thor.

I say this as a person with over 20 handhelds.

 

[StereoVsn]

Just get a Steam Deck.
Honestly, other than battery life it shits on all of these other handhelds when it comes to emulation. Not just performance, but compatibility as well. Not to mention pc games on deck vs gamehub is a joke. Unless you are just wanting something small, Steam Deck is still handheld emulation king by a wide margin. If DS and 3DS are a big deal to you, go Thor.

I say this as a person with over 20 handhelds.

And if you can afford it, get the OLED as it has some nice QoL improvements.

ROG Ally OG can be had pretty cheap as well.

 

[coffinbirth]

It's a bit more expensive but I have given a few TrimUI Smart Pros away as gifts, and it's very PSP-like

TRIMUI Smart Pro Handheld Full Specifications - Retro Catalog

View all specifications and features of the TRIMUI Smart Pro, the Linux-based gaming handheld that can play up to Sega Saturn games. The TRIMUI Smart Pro features a 4.96” IPS screen with an aspect ratio of 16:9, 1 GB of RAM, and a 5000 mAh battery...

retrocatalog.com

Larger screen (5 inches), 720p, 16:9 instead of 4:3 (so you'll get black bars on older stuff, but works great for PSP stuff).

They have a newer model, the Smart Pro S

TRIMUI Smart Pro S Handheld Full Specifications - Retro Catalog

View all specifications and features of the TRIMUI Smart Pro S, the Linux-based gaming handheld that can play up to Nintendo 3DS games. The TRIMUI Smart Pro S features a 4.96” IPS screen with an aspect ratio of 16:9, 1 GB of RAM, and a 5000 mAh battery...

retrocatalog.com

Which I don't have personal experience with, but it's got a newer CPU and GPU that can apparently do some gamecube/wii/PS2 stuff.

I would suggest the Mangmi Air X in this category, personally.
Better specs, better screen, better ergonomics, better everything, really. Pricing is weird these days on these products, but I got mine for $100.
Plays all PSP at 2x, most at 3x, can do light PS2 and GC.

It outperforms the new Smart Pro S as well, and has a nice 5.5" screen to boot. Wild value in this one.

They're about to launch a 7" OLED handheld with a SD865 too, so a budget Portal Lite. These guys are gunning for budget handheld crown, haha.

 

[StereoVsn]

I would suggest the Mangmi Air X in this category, personally.
Better specs, better screen, better ergonomics, better everything, really. Pricing is weird these days on these products, but I got mine for $100.
Plays all PSP at 2x, most at 3x, can do light PS2 and GC.

It outperforms the new Smart Pro S as well, and has a nice 5.5" screen to boot. Wild value in this one.

They're about to launch a 7" OLED handheld with a SD865 too, so a budget Portal Lite. These guys are gunning for budget handheld crown, haha.

Oh wow, 7" SD865 device? That sounds great for a lot of older games. Certain PS2/Gamecube games may still have some issues but even there a lot will play.

 

[coffinbirth]

Oh wow, 7" SD865 device? That sounds great for a lot of older games. Certain PS2/Gamecube games may still have some issues but even there a lot will play.

That just comes down the the state of these emulators on Android at this point more so than the 865. PS2, specifically. Haven't ran into ANY GC games that don't run full speed, nearly all upscaled. It can do most Switch games too. Once you get up to SD Gen 2 and Gen 3 you can kinda brute force past many PS2 issues, but many games just don't run well on Android yet. But most PS2 games will work at 2x resolution on an 865.

But yeah, 7" OLED @144hz, SD 865 with 8GB RAM, will likely cost around or possibly less than a Retroid Pocket 5.

 

[TonberrysKnife]

If any one of these can do a PS Vita, then I'm in.

 

[Jinzo Prime]

If any one of these can do a PS Vita, then I'm in.

Vita emulation is not good yet on any device.

 

[TonberrysKnife]

Vita emulation is not good yet on any device.

My vita has been collecting dust and I'm wanting to sell it. The only game I REALLY care about is Muramasa Rebirth.