I’m not sure if Anbernic releases official sales numbers anywhere, but I’d guess that its lineup of tributes to the Game Boy Advance SP is near the top of the charts. The RG35XXSP and RG34XXSP were both great devices. I prefer the 35XXSP‘s larger size and screen, but purists always lamented the fact that it didn’t actually display Game Boy Advance games at a proper scale. The 34XXSP righted this wrong, but then, rather confusingly, they made the decision to add analog sticks.
Never ones to shy away from a hardware revision to sell you another device and address that one annoying irritation about the handhelds that came before it, Anbernic is back with a new clamshell offering. Simply titled the RG SP, and sporting a new faux-metal lineup of color options, it’s a sensible, if not revelatory, experience.
Anbernic RG SP Specifications
The first thing I did when I booted up my new baby blue RG SP was to head directly to the Linux terminal to determine how much RAM the system was packing. The original RG34XXSP launched with 2GB of RAM, then in January of 2026 market and cost constraints appeared to have brought models down to 1GB, and some more recent teardowns report as little as 512MB of LPDDR3. A quick free -h in the terminal shows the truth, and thankfully the RG SP still has 1GB of RAM, at least for now…
| Hardware | |
| CPU | Allwinner H700 |
|---|---|
| GPU | Mali-G31 MP2 |
| RAM | 1GB |
| Display | |
| Screen Size | 3.4-inch |
| Resolution | 720 x 480 |
| Aspect Ratio | 3:2 |
| Refresh Rate | 60Hz |
| PPI | 254 PPI |
| Storage | |
| Internal Storage | ❌ |
| External Storage | 2x microSD |
| Battery | |
| Battery Capacity | 3300mAh |
| Connectivity | |
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 5 |
| Bluetooth | Bluetooth 4.2 |
| Ports | 3.5mm Audio Jack, microSD, USB-C |
| Controls | |
| Sticks | ❌ |
| Triggers | Digital |
| Shoulder Layout | Shelf |
| D-Pad | Top Left |
| Audio | |
| Speakers | Mono |
| Speaker Location | Front-facing |
| Headphone Jack | Yes |
| Physical | |
| Dimensions | 83 x 82 x 24mm |
| Weight | 168g |
| Form Factor | Clamshell |
| Software | |
| Operating System | Linux (ARM) |
The metallic baby-blue finish (the shell is still plastic) on the review unit I received is a refreshingly new option that I don’t believe we’ve seen before. The result is a subtle finish that could almost be mistaken for silver in the right lighting, but it’s quite striking in person.
The slightly slimmer dimensions of the RG SP still leave enough meat on the bone to feel comfortable in your hands. I think I still prefer the 35XXSP‘s overall larger design, but this feels like a true refinement of the original GBA SP – slimmed down and shiny.
Display
The screen on the RG SP is likely the same panel that we saw on the 34XXSP before it. Anbernic proudly announced the new handheld with a sneak preview video touting a 25% reduction in the upper bezel size. Sat side by side, you can see what they’re referring to, but it’s not exactly a game changer. The panel’s 720 x 480 display is still just as crisp and vibrant as ever.
The Hinge
Now, I’ve never had issues with the hinges on my Anbernic units, but that’s not to say that others haven’t. The screen opens smoothly and then kicks back into place with a smooth but forceful snap. An additional push will tilt it back even further. No creaking noises have come from my hinges while flexing it back and forth, so that’s always a good sign.
And there’s no wobble to be found. Hopefully, Anbernic has the whole hinge thing nailed down at this point. It certainly looks as though that’s the case.
Controls
What was great before remains so today. The D-pad on the RG SP is somewhere in the middle of the clamshells that came before it, with the 34XXSP being a little thinner, and the 35XXSP being larger overall. You might say this one is just right.
The face buttons are the same clicky experience as the older devices as well, so if you weren’t a fan originally, this one still won’t be for you. I’ve come to love the tactile sensation of using the SP lineup, and the newest offering is no exception.
Gameplay and Performance
Despite the new SKU, there are no real surprises with the RG SP. The H700 is a well-worn road at this point. You’re looking at up to and including PSX running perfectly, with some bonus compatibility for PSP, N64 (though this handheld lacks the sticks of its predecessor), and Dreamcast, but playability varies by title. With only 1GB of RAM to go around, the limits will be a little more pronounced in places.
This is a GBA-first handheld, and it does a fantastic job of perfectly integer scaling its Nintendo inspiration. While having some bonus functionality is nice, it’s not the attraction with a handheld like the RG SP. Having said that, I was surprised in testing how much I enjoyed the way PSP titles displayed. When appropriate titles ran without stutter, it was a joy.
Final Thoughts
The RG SP is a good device. Do you need it if you already own the RG34XXSP or RG35XXSP? Probably not. Would it make an excellent device to start out your adventures in retro emulation? Absolutely. Everything will have to come down to your own needs, and whatever the price ends up being at launch. I’d assume we’ll see something in the range of the $60 price tag that the RG34XXSP commands, with additional breaks coming down the pipe with sales.
Even if it isn’t doing anything especially new, this still feels like a logical refresh and design revision. At the end of the day, it’s never a bad thing to have more options for customers; it just might sting a bit if you’ve already shelled out for the previous two clams.
