FunnyPlaying is releasing a revised version of the Retro Pixel Pocket, now with the familiar RK3326 processor and a new price of $50, half the original’s price tag. Along with lower price, the re-release aims to improve the product based on community feedback.
With an SOC swap comes new firmware, and thankfully this version of the Retro Pixel Pocket runs on a custom version of EmuELEC, and will likely be compatible with other firmwares for that chipset. This is a welcome change from the Allwinner A64, which struggled to run its extremely outdated Android 7 build, especially sans touchscreen.
Unchanged from the original is the gorgeous 720×720 IPS display, which we praised in our review. What remains to be seen, however, is if the other issues we singled out have been addressed. Our own RocketMan noted that though the button quality was excellent, their functionality was inconsistent, with missed inputs and false diagonals.
The original unit also had battery issues, lacked sleep mode, had a tinny speaker, and a finicky USB port. Will these things be addressed in the new model? Other devices with the same chipset do have sleep mode, and are typically more power-efficient, but a new chipset won’t address poor build quality.
At under $50, the Retro Pixel Pocket is an attractive low-cost option, but how far did FunnyPlaying go with this revision, and will it be enough to make them a legitimate competitor in the space? We’ll find out soon, as the new Retro Pixel Pocket is available to order right now on the FunnyPlaying website.
Will you be picking one up? Let us know in the comments below, and chat with us in our Discord!
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