Anbernic RG40XX-H Handheld
Sep. 27th, 2024 03:33 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
chuckroSo, in terms of the firmware, the performance, and the capabilities of this device, it’s actually really easy to review: Refer to my RG35XX-H review. Full, fast and smooth Retroarch integration with cheats and hotkeys readily available plus a dedicated menu button. It’s got an HDMI output and a proper headphone jack, and two SD card slots (again, pretty much the same as the rest of the XX line).
The difference is in the size and shape. The 4” screen is not actually at a 4:3 ratio—it’s a weird 3.25 wide by 2.375 tall, which means that you have borders on virtually everything (including anything designed for a CRT TV and also GBA!) but PSP is squashed to fit by default. I’m not entirely sure what to make of that design choice. The analog sticks extend further up than the RG35XX-H ones, which are nominally more comfortable to play on; and the entire device is larger and easier to hold, but I’ve found that’s less of an issue with horizontal handhelds in general. It’s still a very reasonable size, though I’d argue that it’s in the ”cargo pants pocket” class.
If I’m doing size categories for handhelds:
• Teeny-Tiny: A special category reserved for things like the original Trimui Mini or Gamespower 500-in-1, that are so flat and compact that you could probably tuck them inside a wallet.
• Pocket: The devices that you can actually fit into a standard pants pocket, generally the size of a cell phone or smaller. That includes “micro” handhelds like the Powkiddy Q90, the Miyoo A30, or the Anbernic RG28XX, and the GBA-SP clamshell clones like the Powkiddy V90 and the Anbernic RG35XX-SP. The original Miyoo Mini is definitely here, but the Miyoo Mini Plus and the RG35XX are right on the borderline because of their width. The RG35XX-H actually falls into this category, even in the official case, which I think is noteworthy.
• Cargo Pants Pocket: Smaller than a paperback novel, suitable for carrying in cargo pants if you don’t mind it knocking against your leg when you walk. The majority of devices with 3.5” screens go in this category, up to large but flat devices like the Trimui Smart Pro. The Retroid Pocket 2 falls into this category, but the RP3 (and RP4) requires a much fatter case to accommodate the shoulder buttons and analog sticks.
• Backpack: The big boys or just awkwardly shaped devices. Obviously this includes the Switch and Switch-clone devices like the Powkiddy X2, but also devices that are wide and heavy like the Odin Pro or even the Anbernic RG552. And a few things that are just badly designed end up in this category because there’s just no way to fit them in a pocket, like the Project X or DY14 Power Bank handhelds.
The tradeoff to the pocket-sized devices is usually screen size, but battery life and system capabilities often also take a hit. They can also be uncomfortable to hold or to play on for extended periods of time if you have large hands. I like them for subway rides and backup entertainment options (for myself or my son). The big backpack devices tend to be the ones you want to spend hours actually playing on, though they lose portability both because of size and weight but also because battery life tends to start decreasing again with the big screens.
Overall: It’s bigger than the RG35XX-H, but not enough to be useful, if that makes sense. The weird screen shape means you’re not actually getting that much more real estate for games; the larger body is a little more comfortable to hold but means it’s harder to carry around. DS games are a little more playable with the bigger screen and better sticks, but there’s still no touchscreen. Given that both devices run in the $50-60 range on AliExpress, I think the smaller device is actually the more versatile choice. That said, it’s a great device, it’s just redundant to my existing options.
The difference is in the size and shape. The 4” screen is not actually at a 4:3 ratio—it’s a weird 3.25 wide by 2.375 tall, which means that you have borders on virtually everything (including anything designed for a CRT TV and also GBA!) but PSP is squashed to fit by default. I’m not entirely sure what to make of that design choice. The analog sticks extend further up than the RG35XX-H ones, which are nominally more comfortable to play on; and the entire device is larger and easier to hold, but I’ve found that’s less of an issue with horizontal handhelds in general. It’s still a very reasonable size, though I’d argue that it’s in the ”cargo pants pocket” class.
If I’m doing size categories for handhelds:
• Teeny-Tiny: A special category reserved for things like the original Trimui Mini or Gamespower 500-in-1, that are so flat and compact that you could probably tuck them inside a wallet.
• Pocket: The devices that you can actually fit into a standard pants pocket, generally the size of a cell phone or smaller. That includes “micro” handhelds like the Powkiddy Q90, the Miyoo A30, or the Anbernic RG28XX, and the GBA-SP clamshell clones like the Powkiddy V90 and the Anbernic RG35XX-SP. The original Miyoo Mini is definitely here, but the Miyoo Mini Plus and the RG35XX are right on the borderline because of their width. The RG35XX-H actually falls into this category, even in the official case, which I think is noteworthy.
• Cargo Pants Pocket: Smaller than a paperback novel, suitable for carrying in cargo pants if you don’t mind it knocking against your leg when you walk. The majority of devices with 3.5” screens go in this category, up to large but flat devices like the Trimui Smart Pro. The Retroid Pocket 2 falls into this category, but the RP3 (and RP4) requires a much fatter case to accommodate the shoulder buttons and analog sticks.
• Backpack: The big boys or just awkwardly shaped devices. Obviously this includes the Switch and Switch-clone devices like the Powkiddy X2, but also devices that are wide and heavy like the Odin Pro or even the Anbernic RG552. And a few things that are just badly designed end up in this category because there’s just no way to fit them in a pocket, like the Project X or DY14 Power Bank handhelds.
The tradeoff to the pocket-sized devices is usually screen size, but battery life and system capabilities often also take a hit. They can also be uncomfortable to hold or to play on for extended periods of time if you have large hands. I like them for subway rides and backup entertainment options (for myself or my son). The big backpack devices tend to be the ones you want to spend hours actually playing on, though they lose portability both because of size and weight but also because battery life tends to start decreasing again with the big screens.
Overall: It’s bigger than the RG35XX-H, but not enough to be useful, if that makes sense. The weird screen shape means you’re not actually getting that much more real estate for games; the larger body is a little more comfortable to hold but means it’s harder to carry around. DS games are a little more playable with the bigger screen and better sticks, but there’s still no touchscreen. Given that both devices run in the $50-60 range on AliExpress, I think the smaller device is actually the more versatile choice. That said, it’s a great device, it’s just redundant to my existing options.
