Lao Zhang, the Chinese handheld designer best known for his work with GKD on the Pixel series and for the inventive LG Wing handheld back in 2022, appears to be working on something new. During a livestream on a popular Chinese social platform hosted on Baidu, Zhang showcased what is currently being called the Yoo Y1, a horizontal Android handheld with a polished look.
The device was spotted in the RH Discord, giving the broader community its first proper look. From what is visible, the Yoo Y1 features a minimal glass front, dual analogue sticks, stacked shoulder buttons, and a metal middle frame. The specs that have surfaced so far are a 4.5-inch 3:2 display running at 1620 x 1080, Hall Effect triggers, TMR joysticks, and a 6000mAh battery. Processor details have not yet been confirmed.
For context, Zhang’s previous Pixel work with GKD produced a line of compact metal-bodied devices that developed a loyal following despite their flaws. The LG Wing handheld, which repurposed the internals and screen of the LG Wing smartphone into a vertical handheld form factor, launched in limited batches and reinforced its reputation for doing things a little differently. The Yoo Y1, by contrast, looks more conventional at first glance, but the hardware choices suggest Zhang is aiming at a higher tier than his past work.
With the right chipset and proper networking capabilities, this could end up being a worthy successor to a device like the Odin 2 Mini. That positioning puts it in competition with current devices like the Retroid Pocket 6, as well as the upcoming GKD 350H Ultra.
No price or release date has been announced, and the Yoo Y1 name itself may not be final. The device appeared close to finished in the footage, but until Zhang makes an official announcement, most of the details remain preliminary. Worth keeping an eye on.
