Retroid is preparing to release the Retroid Pocket Mini V2, a follow-up to its compact handheld designed to address a key controversy surrounding the original model. When the Pocket Mini V1 launched, many gamers were excited by its design and performance, but criticism quickly mounted over its screen.
The V1 was marketed as having a 1280×960 resolution display, when in reality, it used a 1240×1080 AMOLED panel — the same screen found in the Retroid Pocket Classic.
This misreporting sparked backlash in the retro gaming community, with buyers feeling misled about what they were getting. In response, Retroid launched a free AMOLED screen replacement program for V1 owners, swapping out the original screens with a confirmed 1240×1080 AMOLED panel. The program was a hit: users praised the clarity, brightness, and overall improvement of the new screen, which dramatically enhanced gameplay.
V2 Screen Becomes Standard in New Release
Building on the positive reception to the replacement program, Retroid is now offering the Pocket Mini V2 as a complete package with the upgraded display installed from the start. The V2 keeps the compact form factor and core hardware of the original but ships with the trusted 1240×1080 AMOLED screen out of the box — this time with clear and accurate specs.
The V2 doesn’t change any of the internals inside the device, besides the screen. As mentioned above, the original screen in the V1 of the Mini was reported as 1280×960 with a 4:3 aspect ratio and cut off a significant portion of the screen behind the device’s bezel. With the new V2, the screen is now accurately reported as the 1240×1080 panel that was hidden behind the device’s front glass.
Sales Starting Soon
The device is now listed at $199 on Retroid’s official website, though it remains marked ‘Out of Stock’ at the time of writing. While Retroid has not officially announced an imminent launch for the V2, the public listing strongly suggests that its release is on the horizon.
The new screen provides an option for gamers who either missed out on the V1 or held back due to the initial screen controversy. On top of this, the only color option available for the V2 Â appears to be black; the color of the screen replacement shipped to customers.
Retroid’s response to customer feedback — owning up to the screen issue and following through with a well-received solution — has set the stage for the V2 to succeed where the original stumbled. The Pocket Mini V2 represents a second chance to get this handheld right, with transparency and display quality now at the forefront.
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$199 for Android 10? I think I’ll stick with my Anbernic RG406H.