Anbernic RG477V First Impressions

Anbernic has had a pretty hit-and-miss year up until this point. They’ve had some solid releases with the RG477M, RG34XXSP, and RG476H. They’ve also had some low points, with the RG DS and RG557. At least in my opinion. This time around, it’s choosing to end the year with a performant handheld with the RG477V. Its biggest and best vertical to date.

It may be a first impression, but a lot of the RG477V is built out of parts we’ve seen this year, and if you know what to expect. There may be a lot that sounds familiar.

Anbernic RG477V Specs

Starting at a decent $199 and $239 for the 8GB and 12GB models before jumping to $219 and $239, the RG477V is the cheapest Dimensity 8300 handheld yet, at MSRP. So it should be worth the price. Right?

Display: 4.7-inch LTPS Touchscreen
Resolution: 1280 x 960, 4:3
Refresh Rate: Up to 120Hz
Processor: MediaTek Dimensity 8300
Graphics: Mali-G615 MC6
RAM: 8GB / 12GB
Storage: 128GB + microSD (Up to 2TB) / 256GB + microSD (Up to 2TB)
Connectivity: Wi-Fi 6E, Bluetooth 5.3
Audio: High-Fidelity Dual Speakers, DSP Sound Effects Algorithm, 3.5mm Audio Jack
Extras: Six-axis Gyro, High-Speed Fan + Heat Pipe Active Cooling, DisplayPort Out via USB-C, Vibration Motor, RGB Joysticks, RGB Start/Select
Battery: 5,500mAh (Up to 8 Hours)
Dimensions: 153 x 105.7 x 23mm
Weight: 334 grams
Software: Android 14

Anbernic RG477V (Direct)Anbernic RG477V (AliExpress)

What I Like

The Performance

The Dimensity 8300 is something that I’ve covered enough on the RH website this year. During my RG557 review, software and compatibility were still half-baked, but the chip was able to brute force enough all the way through PS3. In my RG477M review, I felt like things had finally started to get decent enough with the D8300 to recommend it in this handheld.

The RG477V is no different and a little better. You can push everything up through Nintendo Switch into this vertical handheld with fairly good success. To me, this form factor is mostly screaming for anything 4:3, stopping upwards into the PS2 and GameCube levels. Though if past devices are anything to go by. PS3, and even x86 emulation, will have a decent foundation as well.

The Screen

Another component we’ve seen plenty of. The RG Slide, RG477M, and RG476H all featured this same exact panel. And in all of those reviews, and to me, based on my first impressions of the RG477V. It’s still great as a panel. Higher resolution, higher refresh rate, higher brightness in a 4:3 retro styled panel. If that’s all you care about. This, as well as any of the previously mentioned Anbernic’s, is going to be a great option.

The Controls

A mix of new, a mix of old. The sticks are familiar, and the face buttons are about the same as well. The shoulders feel quite similar to something like an RG35XX Pro. The D-pad is a little different. It’s not mushy, there are no arrows on the D-pad, and as a whole it feels fine. It’s similar to an RG557 D-pad, but it feels different now.

What’s Mid

Ergonomics

Despite not having the back bumps of older Android verticals that Anbernic has made, the RG477V still feels fine, thanks to being wider as a whole. The sticks fall into a mostly comfortable position for me, but the D-pad and face buttons are placed basically perfectly.

That being said, if you really like the back bumps of older verticals, you may not like this one. But if you didn’t like them like me, you may find the RG477V better ergonomically.

Design

This is entirely my preference, and while Anbernic designed the shape of the 477V well, I don’t think they did the finish as well as it deserves. They’ve essentially picked their safest colorways for this one, unlike some of the woodgrain designs we’ve seen in the past. Black is the smudgiest colorway, and it becomes even worse when you put it with a glass front.

And speaking of that glass front, I’ll say it again. It makes things unnecessarily fragile and heavy for what? “Less bezel and a premium look”? I’d rather save $5 and get less glass on the front of my handheld. This is officially the smudgiest handheld of 2025 for me. Only being beaten out from past years by the black RG556.

Final Thoughts

As a whole, the RG477V is probably the best combination of Anbernic parts from the last two years. Culminating in their most powerful vertical to date. If you’re looking for a strong vertical that can do just about everything you want. This may be the one to go for. That being said, there are a few things to look out for that I wanted to save for the very end.

Stability on the RG477V has been hit or miss, with some people displaying as low as 25% stability in stress tests. Anbernic OTAs have helped, but if you really want to make sure that your long-term experience will be good. It may be better to wait for more updates or to try GammaOS when that drops. I think the RG477V is the best way Anbernic could have ended the year, and it certainly gets a strong recommendation early on.

Just don’t buy the black model. Unless you want to feel like wiping it down every 15 minutes.