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expiredRevOne | Staff posted Feb 22, 2026 10:39 PM
expiredRevOne | Staff posted Feb 22, 2026 10:39 PM

Anbernic RG DS Retro Gaming Handheld (3 colors) - $87.50 + Free U.S. Shipping @ AliExpress

$88

$110

20% off
AliExpress
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Anbernic Direct Store | AliExpressShips from within the U.S. (no tariff charges) | Free 90-Day Returns


Specs
  • Review [youtu.be]
  • Installing GammaOS Next custom firmware: video [youtu.be]
  • Dual 4" 640x480 60Hz IPS 4:3 displays (capacitive touchscreens)
  • Rockchip RK3568 Octa-Core Chipset
  • 3GB RAM
  • 32GB built-in storage
  • MicroSD card slot (no card included)
  • Dual Hall-Effect Analog Sticks w/ L3/R3 function
  • 802.11ac WiFi | Bluetooth 4.2
  • High-fidelity stereo speakers
  • 3.5mm headphone jack | Built-in microphone
  • Vibration motor
  • USB-C port | 4000mAh battery
  • Android 14 operating system
  • Latest official firmware update found here [anbernic.com]
Community Notes
About the Poster
Deal Details
Community Notes
About the Poster
Note: The U.S.-based shipping options are no longer available.


Anbernic Direct Store | AliExpressShips from within the U.S. (no tariff charges) | Free 90-Day Returns


Specs
  • Review [youtu.be]
  • Installing GammaOS Next custom firmware: video [youtu.be]
  • Dual 4" 640x480 60Hz IPS 4:3 displays (capacitive touchscreens)
  • Rockchip RK3568 Octa-Core Chipset
  • 3GB RAM
  • 32GB built-in storage
  • MicroSD card slot (no card included)
  • Dual Hall-Effect Analog Sticks w/ L3/R3 function
  • 802.11ac WiFi | Bluetooth 4.2
  • High-fidelity stereo speakers
  • 3.5mm headphone jack | Built-in microphone
  • Vibration motor
  • USB-C port | 4000mAh battery
  • Android 14 operating system
  • Latest official firmware update found here [anbernic.com]

Community Voting

Deal Score
+11
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29 Comments

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Feb 22, 2026 11:19 PM
541 Posts
Joined Nov 2013
salvio007Feb 22, 2026 11:19 PM
541 Posts
This is a pretty decent price for this unit. It has a lot of following in the handheld scene. Kudos to the OP for providing the YT video. 👍
Pro
Feb 22, 2026 11:42 PM
9,585 Posts
Joined Mar 2018
WooHoo2You
Pro
Feb 22, 2026 11:42 PM
9,585 Posts

Our community has rated this post as helpful. If you agree, why not thank WooHoo2You

I had this briefly. Was super solid for a DS (and down) device but was much larger than I thought it would be. Not the handheld's fault, just wasn't as pocketable as I wanted. I'd personally rather it was MUCH smaller overall with smaller screens if needed. I'm probably alone in that. All the end of the world problems the review bombers (and several YT channels) screamed about were fixed long before a single unit ever landed in a paying customer's hands....yet many of them are still beating these long gone dead horses.

Again, this is a great handheld and as long as you understand it is DS and down (not 3DS and down...it never was), you'll be happy with the performance. The teal color is also much better in person than the photos make it look.
Last edited by WooHoo2You February 22, 2026 at 03:53 PM.
5
2
Pro
Feb 22, 2026 11:49 PM
387 Posts
Joined Oct 2018
ScarletDirt565
Pro
Feb 22, 2026 11:49 PM
387 Posts
What's the most popular unit nowadays?
Feb 22, 2026 11:55 PM
1,096 Posts
Joined Mar 2007
JWeavisFeb 22, 2026 11:55 PM
1,096 Posts
Quote from ScarletDirt565 :
What's the most popular unit nowadays?
I was looking for one last night and found: https://retrocatalog.com/
My rg35xx isn't booting and I figured I'd start looking aroud while I try and fix it. I was starting to look at the Anbernic RG Cube XX (1:1 screen for Dreamcast and older).
Last edited by JWeavis February 22, 2026 at 03:58 PM.
1
Feb 23, 2026 12:55 AM
1,271 Posts
Joined Jul 2008
SDtechFeb 23, 2026 12:55 AM
1,271 Posts

Our community has rated this post as helpful. If you agree, why not thank SDtech

Quote from ScarletDirt565 :
What's the most popular unit nowadays?
Depends on preferences. Some selections:

AYN Thor and Odin 2 Portal if you're talking top tier models.

Retroid pocket 5 and RG476H for mid tier.

35XXH, Miyoo Min Plus, Trimui Brick for budget.
6
Feb 23, 2026 01:58 AM
1,271 Posts
Joined Jul 2008
SDtechFeb 23, 2026 01:58 AM
1,271 Posts
Quote from WooHoo2You :
I had this briefly. Was super solid for a DS (and down) device but was much larger than I thought it would be. Not the handheld's fault, just wasn't as pocketable as I wanted. I'd personally rather it was MUCH smaller overall with smaller screens if needed. I'm probably alone in that. All the end of the world problems the review bombers (and several YT channels) screamed about were fixed long before a single unit ever landed in a paying customer's hands....yet many of them are still beating these long gone dead horses.Again, this is a great handheld and as long as you understand it is DS and down (not 3DS and down...it never was), you'll be happy with the performance. The teal color is also much better in person than the photos make it look.
How was the battery life for different systems? I mainly play DS down.
Pro
Feb 23, 2026 02:04 AM
9,585 Posts
Joined Mar 2018
WooHoo2You
Pro
Feb 23, 2026 02:04 AM
9,585 Posts
Quote from SDtech :
How was the battery life for different systems? I mainly play DS down.
Battery life was much longer than I could play it emulating DS (at least 3-4 hours, maybe more), any systems below that should be even better. Loses almost no battery when in sleep, no surprise for an Android device.
Does only slow charge though, at least 2 hours to charge from a lower battery state. Fine if you want to charge over night but if you are trying to top off the device quickly, I could see that being a pain (for example between flights).

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Pro
Feb 23, 2026 02:11 AM
9,585 Posts
Joined Mar 2018
WooHoo2You
Pro
Feb 23, 2026 02:11 AM
9,585 Posts

Our community has rated this post as helpful. If you agree, why not thank WooHoo2You

Quote from ScarletDirt565 :
What's the most popular unit nowadays?
I'd agree mostly with SDtech however I'd sub the Retroid Pocket 5, for the G2 or 6, both are huge jumps in performance for only slightly more ($20 - $30 will get you obscenely better performance). Also I think Trimui Smart Pro should be in the budget category if you wanted wide screen. No L3 / R3 if that matters though...it did for me.

For DS, this device is hard to beat, or the Magicx Zero 40 if you wanted really cheap but non-flip. Magicx makes some really cool stuff.
Last edited by WooHoo2You February 22, 2026 at 06:18 PM.
1
Feb 23, 2026 02:16 AM
1,181 Posts
Joined Nov 2017
SDJP2020Feb 23, 2026 02:16 AM
1,181 Posts

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If you have A LOT more money to spend the Ayn Thor unlocks 3DS capabilities and the multitasking is superior. The reason this was panned on release was because of the non integer-scaling for the unique form factor and the performance is just enough to play nearly the full DS library. Also weak d-pad and button latency (Not screen desync which was resolved like the other commentor mentions)

People were expecting more for the $95+ it launched at, and the battery is pretty poor. If you can get past that its still a modern way (but not the best despite its name) to play DS games if that's all you want to do, but I'd still recommend waiting for a deeper discount. If you just want a clamshell the 35XXSP which is a GBA SP clone is ~$50.
Last edited by SDJP2020 February 22, 2026 at 06:22 PM.
1
Pro
Feb 23, 2026 02:29 AM
9,585 Posts
Joined Mar 2018
WooHoo2You
Pro
Feb 23, 2026 02:29 AM
9,585 Posts
Quote from SDJP2020 :
If you have A LOT more money to spend the Ayn Thor unlocks 3DS capabilities and the multitasking is superior. The reason this was panned on release was because of the non integer-scaling for the unique form factor and the performance is just enough to play nearly the full DS library. Also weak d-pad and button latency (Not screen desync which was resolved like the other commentor mentions)

People were expecting more for the $95+ it launched at, and the battery is pretty poor. If you can get past that its still a modern way (but not the best despite its name) to play DS games if that's all you want to do, but I'd still recommend waiting for a deeper discount. If you just want a clamshell the 35XXSP which is a GBA SP clone is ~$50.
Personally I think the Ayn Thor is overkill for 3DS, unless a dual screen device is a must have. A RG476H will handle 3DS just fine but is only a single screen so that does limit some games. That being said, I do have a Ayn Thor Pro on order. I just think for 3DS it is way overkill unless you also plan on some switch Switch and PC gaming, then it makes more sense.

And yes, there were a lot of people who thought they'd get a dual screen touch flip handheld that played almost all 3DS games for $95. Those people weren't reasonable. No other device with similar specs exist at or even double that price point. Unless Anbernic felt like losing crazy amounts of money, not sure how anyone expected that with the RG DS. People hoped for the power and double the screens of the RG406H AND $20-30 cheaper...not to mention shrinking the formfactor while also making it a flip device. LOL! Lets not even mention how the heck they'd manage battery life and cooling on such a beast, especially anywhere near that price point.
1
Feb 23, 2026 02:33 AM
4,064 Posts
Joined Nov 2011
EltoritoFeb 23, 2026 02:33 AM
4,064 Posts
I don't own this device, but watched a lot of reviews trying to convince myself into buying it, but in the end decided to skip it.
At this price, it's not a bad purchase at all, and you will be able to play most DS games if that's what you are looking for, but that's as far as this console goes.
If you want a dedicated device for DS emulation on the cheap, then this is your only option atm.

My advice? If possible, get the Thor even if it's more expensive. It's a really well made console that will handle most emulated games, including 3ds, switch and several pc games.
The screen size also makes a huge difference. My eyes can't handle 4 inches screens anymore Frown

Feb 23, 2026 03:20 AM
1,271 Posts
Joined Jul 2008
SDtechFeb 23, 2026 03:20 AM
1,271 Posts
Quote from WooHoo2You :
Battery life was much longer than I could play it emulating DS (at least 3-4 hours, maybe more), any systems below that should be even better. Loses almost no battery when in sleep, no surprise for an Android device.Does only slow charge though, at least 2 hours to charge from a lower battery state. Fine if you want to charge over night but if you are trying to top off the device quickly, I could see that being a pain (for example between flights).
Have you tried GammaOS on it?
Feb 23, 2026 04:40 AM
8,710 Posts
Joined Jul 2016
Frank_NittyFeb 23, 2026 04:40 AM
8,710 Posts
I'll probably wait till the price comes down even further. I made the mistake of buying an Anbernic handheld prematurely w/ the Unisoc T820 chip in it that I haven't had time to play and it's come down $30 in price since I purchased it.
Feb 23, 2026 05:10 AM
10,616 Posts
Joined Nov 2006
CTRFK8Feb 23, 2026 05:10 AM
10,616 Posts
buy a used oled switch for 100 bucks and mod it.
1

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Feb 23, 2026 06:24 AM
27 Posts
Joined Aug 2013
JonathanS9921Feb 23, 2026 06:24 AM
27 Posts
I want it, don't need it, still want it.

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