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popularRevOne | Staff posted Mar 16, 2026 02:51 PM
popularRevOne | Staff posted Mar 16, 2026 02:51 PM

Anbernic Gaming Handhelds: RG557 $173.89, RG477M $183.13, RG77V $184.08 - AliExpress (PayPal Req.)

$174

$274

36% off
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Prices after $35 off w/ code ASUSDEAL35 and automatic $15 off when you checkout using PayPal (details [aliexpress.com])


Specs (RG557):
  • Review [youtu.be]
  • 5.48" 1920x1080 Full HD 60Hz AMOLED Display
  • MediaTek Dimensity 8300 Octa-core Processor
  • Mali-G615 MC6 GPU
  • 12GB LPDDR5X RAM
  • 256GB UFS4.0 Internal Storage
  • microSD card slot (supports up to 2TB)
  • Wi-Fi 6e | Bluetooth5.3
  • Android 14
  • High fidelity dual speakers
  • 5500mAh Polymer lithium battery w/ 27W charging
  • Dual high-resolution, anti-magnetic interference capacitive joysticks
  • Built-in six-axis gyroscope sensor
  • Supports many native Android games + retro game emulation apps (ideal for up to the vast majority of the GameCube and PS2 libraries at upscaled resolution)

RG477M specs [retrocatalog.com] (same Dimensity 8300 chipset)

RG477V specs [retrocatalog.com] (same Dimensity 8300 chipset)

Ships free from within the U.S. (no tariff charges)| Free Returns
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Deal Details
Community Notes
About the Poster
AliExpress


Prices after $35 off w/ code ASUSDEAL35 and automatic $15 off when you checkout using PayPal (details [aliexpress.com])


Specs (RG557):
  • Review [youtu.be]
  • 5.48" 1920x1080 Full HD 60Hz AMOLED Display
  • MediaTek Dimensity 8300 Octa-core Processor
  • Mali-G615 MC6 GPU
  • 12GB LPDDR5X RAM
  • 256GB UFS4.0 Internal Storage
  • microSD card slot (supports up to 2TB)
  • Wi-Fi 6e | Bluetooth5.3
  • Android 14
  • High fidelity dual speakers
  • 5500mAh Polymer lithium battery w/ 27W charging
  • Dual high-resolution, anti-magnetic interference capacitive joysticks
  • Built-in six-axis gyroscope sensor
  • Supports many native Android games + retro game emulation apps (ideal for up to the vast majority of the GameCube and PS2 libraries at upscaled resolution)

RG477M specs [retrocatalog.com] (same Dimensity 8300 chipset)

RG477V specs [retrocatalog.com] (same Dimensity 8300 chipset)

Ships free from within the U.S. (no tariff charges)| Free Returns

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Mar 16, 2026 02:59 PM
176 Posts
Joined Sep 2010
hoanMar 16, 2026 02:59 PM
176 Posts
This or retroid pocket 5 for about same price?
Mar 16, 2026 03:17 PM
1,271 Posts
Joined Jul 2008
SDtechMar 16, 2026 03:17 PM
1,271 Posts

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

Quote from hoan :
This or retroid pocket 5 for about same price?
Snapdragon processors seem to have better compatibility and driver support so I would go with the RP5.
2
Mar 16, 2026 03:42 PM
311 Posts
Joined Dec 2007
Mr-BlisterMar 16, 2026 03:42 PM
311 Posts
Quote from hoan :
This or retroid pocket 5 for about same price?
SD Tech mentioned processor compatibility and I absolutely agree with them. You'll have an easier time with all the emulators on a snapdragon chip.

Another point towards the RP5 is that Anbernic had the opportunity to put on some improved sticks on the 557 up from the 556 but they didn't. It was such a weird choice. The shape is so comfy from an ergonomic perspective but I really didn't enjoy playing thumbstick-focused games on those tiny little sticks when I had the 556.

Don't get me wrong, the sticks themselves are a big improvement on the 557 compared to the 556. They no longer have that bad cardinal snapping but, on a device so focused on ergonomics, the tiny sticks hold it back quite a bit.

And yes, the RP5 has small sticks too but they're just better overall sticks. Comfier to use.
That being said, if you are wanting to play thumbstick-focused games, then an additional grip attachment is almost essential on the RP5 thanks to the lower left thumbstick placement. So you'll need to factor a grip into your price if you're buying the RP5. But the official grips can be found really cheap on AliExpress.
1
Mar 16, 2026 03:53 PM
113 Posts
Joined May 2019
Painting_SundaysMar 16, 2026 03:53 PM
113 Posts

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

I have been trying to run Dolphin on my Samsung Tab s10+ (which uses Mali GPU) and it has been awful. Sorry but driver support is really really bad. For emulation you really should stick to Snapdragon. No idea why they would put Mali in a supposedly emulation-focused handheld.
3
1
Mar 17, 2026 05:10 AM
1,548 Posts
Joined Aug 2007
OrangeJuliusMar 17, 2026 05:10 AM
1,548 Posts
Quote from Painting_Sundays :
I have been trying to run Dolphin on my Samsung Tab s10+ (which uses Mali GPU) and it has been awful. Sorry but driver support is really really bad. For emulation you really should stick to Snapdragon. No idea why they would put Mali in a supposedly emulation-focused handheld.
Reviews for the RG477v and 477m both are very positive for Dolphin compatibility. Maybe the stock driver for your tablet is hosed? The Samsung Tab S10+ is supposed to use a Dimensity 9300 SOC vs the 8300 used in these 3 handhelds, and it benches significantly faster.

As for these Anbernic handhelds, the reviews point out how all three can play virtually any GC or PS2 game thrown at them upscaled to 2-3x, so there has to be something goofy going on with that tablet.

If your use case is PS2/Gamecube and below, these handhelds should work great. If you want to do Switch, PS3, or PC emulation... look elsewhere. The Mali GPUs indeed struggle with a lack of driver support when compared to Snapdragon handhelds and their Turnip drivers.
Last edited by OrangeJulius March 16, 2026 at 10:13 PM.
Mar 17, 2026 05:05 PM
113 Posts
Joined May 2019
Painting_SundaysMar 17, 2026 05:05 PM
113 Posts
Quote from OrangeJulius :
Reviews for the RG477v and 477m both are very positive for Dolphin compatibility. Maybe the stock driver for your tablet is hosed? The Samsung Tab S10+ is supposed to use a Dimensity 9300 SOC vs the 8300 used in these 3 handhelds, and it benches significantly faster.

As for these Anbernic handhelds, the reviews point out how all three can play virtually any GC or PS2 game thrown at them upscaled to 2-3x, so there has to be something goofy going on with that tablet.

If your use case is PS2/Gamecube and below, these handhelds should work great. If you want to do Switch, PS3, or PC emulation... look elsewhere. The Mali GPUs indeed struggle with a lack of driver support when compared to Snapdragon handhelds and their Turnip drivers.
Thanks.. if there's a way to fix it I'd love to know. Android does have a developer option to choose alternate drivers, but (I guess Samsung?) doesn't actually provide any alternate ones and there doesn't seem to be any way to get them. Supposedly this works for Snapdragon devices though (though it may not be needed). I was blown away by the difference of playing Timesplitters FB between this Samsung tablet and my Pixel 10 Pro XL.
Yesterday 01:15 AM
4 Posts
Joined Feb 2019
LavenderCemetery376Yesterday 01:15 AM
4 Posts
Quote from Mr-Blister :
SD Tech mentioned processor compatibility and I absolutely agree with them. You'll have an easier time with all the emulators on a snapdragon chip.

Another point towards the RP5 is that Anbernic had the opportunity to put on some improved sticks on the 557 up from the 556 but they didn't. It was such a weird choice. The shape is so comfy from an ergonomic perspective but I really didn't enjoy playing thumbstick-focused games on those tiny little sticks when I had the 556.

Don't get me wrong, the sticks themselves are a big improvement on the 557 compared to the 556. They no longer have that bad cardinal snapping but, on a device so focused on ergonomics, the tiny sticks hold it back quite a bit.

And yes, the RP5 has small sticks too but they're just better overall sticks. Comfier to use.
That being said, if you are wanting to play thumbstick-focused games, then an additional grip attachment is almost essential on the RP5 thanks to the lower left thumbstick placement. So you'll need to factor a grip into your price if you're buying the RP5. But the official grips can be found really cheap on AliExpress.
I have both the RP5 and the 557. The RP5 has a better screen (no obvious PWM) and is a more polished and portable device overall. I see it as an iconic an beautiful design that will have lasting impact, already strongly influencing subsequent devices such as the RP6 and Odin 3. In some cases the weaker processor in the RP5 will perform better than the D8300 in the 557 because of better driver support. However, the stick placement on the RP5 is not very comfortable for games that use an analog left stick. The 557 sticks have their own comfort issues due to their weirdly small size for the device, but they're still more comfortable to use overall. The 557 isn't a beautiful and luxurious-feeling device, but it is a more comfortable device in the hand, and if you are running an application that is compatible with the Mali GPU in the 557, it will give you better frame rates. IMO, there is no clear winner. It all depends upon your preferences and use cases.

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Yesterday 02:30 AM
1,548 Posts
Joined Aug 2007
OrangeJuliusYesterday 02:30 AM
1,548 Posts
Quote from LavenderCemetery376 :
I have both the RP5 and the 557. The RP5 has a better screen (no obvious PWM) and is a more polished and portable device overall. I see it as an iconic an beautiful design that will have lasting impact, already strongly influencing subsequent devices such as the RP6 and Odin 3. In some cases the weaker processor in the RP5 will perform better than the D8300 in the 557 because of better driver support. However, the stick placement on the RP5 is not very comfortable for games that use an analog left stick. The 557 sticks have their own comfort issues due to their weirdly small size for the device, but they're still more comfortable to use overall. The 557 isn't a beautiful and luxurious-feeling device, but it is a more comfortable device in the hand, and if you are running an application that is compatible with the Mali GPU in the 557, it will give you better frame rates. IMO, there is no clear winner. It all depends upon your preferences and use cases.
This is a thoughtful, well summed up reply. I wouldn't sleep on the RP5 now that it's (for the moment) under $180. I would still recommend the RP6 or another Snapdragon 8 Gen 2/3 equipped handheld if someone wanted to play Switch games, but the RP5 has finally come down enough to be a great option in the $150-$200 range. It should be able to handle most PS2 and GameCube games with just a small number of problems, but starts to struggle with high end Switch and PC emulation. Really similar to these Dimensity 8300 handhelds when it comes to capabilities.

The comfort and quality of these devices aren't possible to benchmark, so reports like these of stick, trigger, button, screen and body quality are always appreciated.

I personally have a Konkr Pocket Fit I've been using for a little over a month, and an Anbernic 477v on the way. The Pocket Fit can technically play anything the 477v can do, but faster and with better driver compatibility, with the exception of native 4:3. My purpose for the handheld will be mostly PS1, N64, PS2 and GameCube, but I'd like to toy around with BFI, and also trying a vertical format handheld for a change.
Yesterday 02:38 AM
1,548 Posts
Joined Aug 2007
OrangeJuliusYesterday 02:38 AM
1,548 Posts
Quote from Painting_Sundays :
Thanks.. if there's a way to fix it I'd love to know. Android does have a developer option to choose alternate drivers, but (I guess Samsung?) doesn't actually provide any alternate ones and there doesn't seem to be any way to get them. Supposedly this works for Snapdragon devices though (though it may not be needed). I was blown away by the difference of playing Timesplitters FB between this Samsung tablet and my Pixel 10 Pro XL.
Question... did you trying changing the renderer in Dolphin from Vulkan to OpenGL? I have heard these Mali GPUs perform much better with OpenGL. What you are describing sounds like it may be that.

For Snapdragon handhelds, Vulcan is almost always better, but the Mali GPU SOCs have a reputation for doing better with OpenGL.
1
Yesterday 06:51 PM
1,548 Posts
Joined Aug 2007
OrangeJuliusYesterday 06:51 PM
1,548 Posts
FYI, it looks like PayPal may be discontinuing the $15 off $160 and $30 off $270 deals. That didn't take long for them to end.
Yesterday 07:03 PM
113 Posts
Joined May 2019
Painting_SundaysYesterday 07:03 PM
113 Posts
Quote from OrangeJulius :
Question... did you trying changing the renderer in Dolphin from Vulkan to OpenGL? I have heard these Mali GPUs perform much better with OpenGL. What you are describing sounds like it may be that.

For Snapdragon handhelds, Vulcan is almost always better, but the Mali GPU SOCs have a reputation for doing better with OpenGL.
Thanks.. yes I've spent many hours trying every different setting under the sun, working with several LLMs for advice. I even tried Dolphin MMJR2 (which was better but still nowhere near regular Dolphin on my phone). I Also messed with all the settings possible under the Samsung Gaming Hub and Game Booster +.

It seems not only are the ARM drivers for Mali not great in general, but Samsung is really behind in updating the versions of these drivers they use for their devices. These Anbernic devices are probably using later versions of Mali drivers, which make them more acceptable. But I think my tablet is pretty stuck.
I'd still recommend getting a Snapdragon device over these, if you care about higher-end emulation.
Today 04:58 PM
311 Posts
Joined Dec 2007
Mr-BlisterToday 04:58 PM
311 Posts
Quote from OrangeJulius :
This is a thoughtful, well summed up reply. I wouldn't sleep on the RP5 now that it's (for the moment) under $180. I would still recommend the RP6 or another Snapdragon 8 Gen 2/3 equipped handheld if someone wanted to play Switch games, but the RP5 has finally come down enough to be a great option in the $150-$200 range. It should be able to handle most PS2 and GameCube games with just a small number of problems, but starts to struggle with high end Switch and PC emulation. Really similar to these Dimensity 8300 handhelds when it comes to capabilities.

The comfort and quality of these devices aren't possible to benchmark, so reports like these of stick, trigger, button, screen and body quality are always appreciated.

I personally have a Konkr Pocket Fit I've been using for a little over a month, and an Anbernic 477v on the way. The Pocket Fit can technically play anything the 477v can do, but faster and with better driver compatibility, with the exception of native 4:3. My purpose for the handheld will be mostly PS1, N64, PS2 and GameCube, but I'd like to toy around with BFI, and also trying a vertical format handheld for a change.
Yeah, the RP5 is a great deal at $180. However, I was able to score a Retroid Pocket G2 off ebay for $200. I know I got lucky but sometimes those deals do pop up if you're willing to wait, haha. Now that the G2 is discontinued...who knows?

I'm using an Odin 2 Portal now and I think it'll be my device for quite a while. I bought, tried out for a while, and then sold several devices over the last 6 months and I think the Portal stuck. It has everything I want: A big beautiful screen, good controls, a SD 8 Gen 2 so I don't really have to worry much about performance and it now carries a $250 price tag. Hard to beat (for me)!

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