Best Retro Handheld

chrismscotland said:
Specs not announced yet but they've suggested this week sometime; it seems they wanted to get the pre-orders for the Thor started before releasing details on the Odin 3.

Its hard to see where it can go, the most obvious CPU for a high end Android device would be the Snapdragon 8 Elite but reading some of the Discords it seems there isn't a lot of driver support for those CPU's as of yet.
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I think we've sorted of peaked for the time being with Android at SD 8 Gen2 due to driver support.
The only real next step up is x86-64 in larger handhelds like the Steam deck, AYANEO Flip DS, ROG Ally/Ally X or laptops. These can push good emulation of Xbox, Xbox 360 and whatever else can be emulated on desktops - just not at the same fps.
 
Guest2 said:
I think we've sorted of peaked for the time being with Android at SD 8 Gen2 due to driver support.
The only real next step up is x86-64 in larger handhelds like the Steam deck, AYANEO Flip DS, ROG Ally/Ally X or laptops. These can push good emulation of Xbox, Xbox 360 and whatever else can be emulated on desktops - just not at the same fps.
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Yeah likely but I can't see an Odin 3 having the same CPU as the Odin 2 - even if it takes time for driver support to catch-up.
I'll probably consider a handheld PC when my Desktop dies, getting hard to justify spending £2000 for a decent GPU these days when a PS5 Pro is £650
 
chrismscotland said:
Yeah likely but I can't see an Odin 3 having the same CPU as the Odin 2 - even if it takes time for driver support to catch-up.
I'll probably consider a handheld PC when my Desktop dies, getting hard to justify spending £2000 for a decent GPU these days when a PS5 Pro is £650
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Oh yeh, definately the Odin 3 wont be SD 8 Gen2. If it was, no-one would buy it :D
Driver support will only improve if hardware does too, so it needs to.

Hopefully Snapdragon 8 Elite (Gen 4) hitting 4 - 4.5ghz. This would be Geekbench 6 scores of 3155 / 9723 instead of 1991 / 5299 in the SD8 G2.
 
My R36s has died (completely bricked) on me, pretty much as I'd just boarded the plane for my holiday, which was it's sole intended use! :( So I'm unsure whether to go for the same as just call it bad luck or try R39Max, another or a different brand? Any knowledge out there?
 
kayone said:
My R36s has died (completely bricked) on me, pretty much as I'd just boarded the plane for my holiday, which was it's sole intended use! :( So I'm unsure whether to go for the same as just call it bad luck or try R39Max, another or a different brand? Any knowledge out there?
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We're you using the standard SD card that came with it?
 
Kyle009 said:
We're you using the standard SD card that came with it?
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Nope swapped it out - also tried taking it to bits to see if the screen ribbon had come unattached but no, just strangely bricked - no screen signal. Also tried re-flash of ArkOS to to be sure.
 
I’m really enjoying RetroArch on my iPhone using a Gamesir X5 Lite. Since I already had the phone it’s a really cheap way to see whether I’d be into or use a handheld. My phone also has a great display. Working mostly well with cores for ARM, including PlayStation and SNES mostly so far. Struggling to get BFI or the blur busters shaders to work though, despite having a 120Hz screen. Also, the X5 Lite does miss analogue triggers, but this isn’t so important for retro, and could be a little larger for my hands but it works and that’s no different to most of these handhelds.

I feel as though I’d keep this setup and the only thing to tempt me away would be a Steam Deck so I can play more expansive PC titles as well.

Just another opinion or perspective for the thread…
 
alex24 said:
I’m really enjoying RetroArch on my iPhone using a Gamesir X5 Lite. Since I already had the phone it’s a really cheap way to see whether I’d be into or use a handheld. My phone also has a great display. Working mostly well with cores for ARM, including PlayStation and SNES mostly so far. Struggling to get BFI or the blur busters shaders to work though, despite having a 120Hz screen. Also, the X5 Lite does miss analogue triggers, but this isn’t so important for retro, and could be a little larger for my hands but it works and that’s no different to most of these handhelds.

I feel as though I’d keep this setup and the only thing to tempt me away would be a Steam Deck so I can play more expansive PC titles as well.

Just another opinion or perspective for the thread…
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Using the device you already have is a great approach and smart way to test the waters. I have a few handhelds gathering dust I really need to sell on.

I like gaming on my tablet as will usually take that when travelling anyway and not a big deal to slip a controller into my bag or luggage.

What's nice about a small, dedicated handheld though is not having to worry about caning your phone battery when out and about and not having anywhere to charge
 
dont know about others but ive been really enjoying the miyoo mini plus when ive been waiting for my youngest to get out of school.
 
tonyt3rry said:
dont know about others but ive been really enjoying the miyoo mini plus when ive been waiting for my youngest to get out of school.
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I had a miyoo mini plus and it was ok but not a patch on the trim ui brick running min ui - buttons, screen, performance and sound all much better.
The miyoo was alright but just felt like a cheap toy in comparison.
 
Guest2 said:
I had a miyoo mini plus and it was ok but not a patch on the trim ui brick running min ui - buttons, screen, performance and sound all much better.
The miyoo was alright but just felt like a cheap toy in comparison.
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it ticked the boxes for me cheap and doesnt break the bank compared to some handhelds that cost close to the price of logitech gcloud or steam deck and takes up little footprint in my pocket or bag.
 
tonyt3rry said:
it ticked the boxes for me cheap and doesnt break the bank compared to some handhelds that cost close to the price of logitech gcloud or steam deck and takes up little footprint in my pocket or bag.
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I only paid £47 inc delivery for my Brick.

Bit of a comparison here (generally good comparison site)

TRIMUI Smart Brick vs. Miyoo Mini Plus Specs Comparison - Retro Catalog

Compare specifications, features and performance of TRIMUI Smart Brick vs. Miyoo Mini Plus, and visualize the size difference
retrocatalog.com retrocatalog.com
 
Guest2 said:
I only paid £47 inc delivery for my Brick.

Bit of a comparison here (generally good comparison site)

TRIMUI Smart Brick vs. Miyoo Mini Plus Specs Comparison - Retro Catalog

Compare specifications, features and performance of TRIMUI Smart Brick vs. Miyoo Mini Plus, and visualize the size difference
retrocatalog.com retrocatalog.com
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didnt even know about this one. I think at the time I kept seeing the aya neos i think pop up and alongside the miyoo the flip that looked like a gba. the consoles it does looks nice esp having dreamcast (my fave retro console ever!)
 
So the Legion Go 2 bombshell has dropped.... £1050 for the Z2 Extreme version....
Im wanting to upgrade from my ROG Ally to something at least with an 8" screen, had my eye on the Claw A8 or the Claw 8... around £850ish.
And of course the Legion Go 2 which has an 8.8" screen... but for £1050 thats just too much.

What are your thoughts folks?
 
Max I would pay for my next handheld device would be about 6-700 quid in todays money. Any more than that I would just put the extra money towards investing in a better gpu for my main rig and Moonlight to the handheld when at home, and stick to manageable games when not at home. I'm still going to wait for the SD2, even if it looks like it will be a couple of years. In that timeframe I would be due a main rig gpu upgrade anyway which fits my general priority over a more powerful handheld.
 
Bubo said:
Max I would pay for my next handheld device would be about 6-700 quid in todays money. Any more than that I would just put the extra money towards investing in a better gpu for my main rig and Moonlight to the handheld when at home, and stick to manageable games when not at home. I'm still going to wait for the SD2, even if it looks like it will be a couple of years. In that timeframe I would be due a main rig gpu upgrade anyway which fits my general priority over a more powerful handheld.
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I understand this. What GPU have you got at the moment may I ask? Actually you make a good point on this, could put the money towards a 5090!
Whats the SD2?
 
tonyt3rry said:
didnt even know about this one. I think at the time I kept seeing the aya neos i think pop up and alongside the miyoo the flip that looked like a gba. the consoles it does looks nice esp having dreamcast (my fave retro console ever!)
Click to expand...
AYANEO Flip DS? Its a chunky monster and pretty expensive - $1140 32GB/2TB / $1400 64GB/2TB

AYANEO Flip DS vs. AYN Thor Specs Comparison - Retro Catalog

Compare specifications, features and performance of AYANEO Flip DS vs. AYN Thor, and visualize the size difference
retrocatalog.com retrocatalog.com

AYN Thor would be my choice for flip but im eyeing up the Odin 3 with the SD 8 Elite. Just slightly annoyed at the change to Nintendo button layout.

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Cavallino said:
I understand this. What GPU have you got at the moment may I ask? Actually you make a good point on this, could put the money towards a 5090!
Whats the SD2?
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I have a 3080 now and my next gpu will probably be a 6090. So by the time a Steam Deck 2 comes out the 60 series should already be on the go. My laptop also needs upgrading too really. I guess what I am saying is that depending on how you see things, things like investing in a more powerful handheld device than you already at a certain moment in time could also depend on where you are will all your other tech cycle at the time and what gets the next wedge. This is veering off topic somewhat though as handhelds for retro gaming don't need to be that powerful really.
 
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