RG34XXSP pre-orders go live tonight while many of us will be fast asleep. You can grab it from either Anbernic directly or AliExpress, and we’re being told that the company has stock available for those of us who live in the US!
UPDATE 5/22: New Discovery Made with RG34XXSP Screen
Update 5/10 1230 AM: Anbernic Confirms RG34XXSP Availability
Update 5/8 – 9 AM: Anbernic has published the “Official Promo Video” for the upcoming RG34XXSP, along with the complete spec sheet.
Anbernic has just formally announced the RG34XXSP, its latest clamshell with a 3:2 screen perfect for GBA integer scaling.
We’ve expected this announcement for about a month, which feels like an age in retro handheld terms. We previously reported on those rumors here.
UPDATE: New Discovery Made with RG34XXSP Screen
Image via The Phawx
In his review of the RG34XXSP, The Phawx discovered that Anbernic is actually using a 4:3 screen, as opposed to the advertised 3:2 display. You can read more about what’s going on at the link here.
UPDATE: Set Your Reminders
Only Anbernic would wait until late on Friday (or early on Saturday) to announce pricing and availability for a new handheld. Yet, here we are, as it’s been confirmed that the Anbernic RG34XXSP will go up for pre-order on May 16th at 3 AM PST. It’s also pretty affordable, coming in with a retail price of $66.99. However, we’ve also learned that if you snag one in the first 72 hours, it’ll only set you back $59.99.
The RG34XXSP has been ready to go for some time, but due to the current economic climate, Anbernic opted to wait a bit longer before making the announcement. This was to ensure that there would be local stock available for those in the US who wanted to join in on the fun without waiting an extra week or paying additional fees.
UPDATE: RG34XXSP Promo Video and Specs
A couple of days after officially announcing the RG34XXSP, Anbernic is back again. This time, we have a new promo video to check out, while the company has also revealed all of the specs. Now, we just have to wait to learn about pricing and availability.
- Display: 3.4″ IPS / 720 x 480 / 4:3
- Processor: Allwinner H700
- GPU: Dual-Core Mali-G31 MP2
- RAM: 2GB LPDDR4
- Storage: 2x microSD
- Battery: 3300mAh, ~6 hours
- Connectivity: Wi-Fi, Bluetooth
- Extras: mini HDMI, Vibration Motor, Magnetic Lid
One aspect we weren’t expecting was how familiar the device looks. Other than the differing aspect ratio of the screen, Anbernic’s new device looks uncannily like the recently released Miyoo Flip.
Anbernic has also centered the screen in the clamshell, which differs from both the Miyoo Flip and the original GBA SP, which moved the screen to the top of the unit, leaving larger bezels at the bottom. This might not be the best ergonomic decision, since increasing the distance between the controls and the top of the screen improves the viewing angle, as Tech Dweeb explains here.
Following Anbernic’s announcement, here’s a summary of what we know, what we can reasonably assume, and what we don’t yet know.
What we know:
- The Screen: The RG34XXSP will have a 3.4-inch 3:2 480p screen (720×480), able to upscale GBA games to a perfect 3x upscale. While this is not officially confirmed, it feels safe to assume this screen is identical to that found in the RG34XX.
- The Controls:Â Anbernic seems to have updated the joypad to make it as similar as possible to the one found on the Miyoo Flip. In addition, the 34XXSP has added two recessed analogue sticks,
- The Form Factor:Â The RG34XXSP looks very similar to the previous Anbernic clamshell, the RG35XXSP. The 35XXSP has a great build quality, and this hopefully means the 34XXSP will maintain the standard.
- Colors: The RG34XXSP will be launched in four colourways. While Anbernic might be using a different shade of yellow, the SNES and Black colorways look remarkably similar to two of the four available Miyoo Flip colorways. In addition to these “tributes” to the Miyoo Flip, the Anbernic device will also be available in a purple colourway reminiscent of the old RG351p purple. The RG351p was Anbernic’s first ever 3:2 device, and speaking personally, I appreciate this little nod to history.
- Ports: Anbernic has confirmed that this device will support ported games like Shredder’s Revenge and apps like Moonlight.
- Connectivity: The device will include Wi-Fi 5, Bluetooth 4.2, and HDMI out. It will be possible to connect multiple Bluetooth controllers for a “console” experience.
What We Can Assume:
- The Chipset: Despite rumours that the RG34XXSP would launch with a more powerful chipset, approaching the power of the T618 from the RG405 series of devices, the information available suggests the 34XXSP will launch with the same H700 chip found in all modern “RGXX” devices. Using the H700 chip also makes the device consistent with Anbernic’s naming convention, where the first two characters after “RG” relate to the screen size, and the next 1 or 2 characters relate to the SOC used.
- Operating Systems:Â While the H700 is the same chip that is found in both the RG34XX and the RG35XXSP, which will mean that it shouldn’t be long before the custom operating systems for the “RGXX” series, such as Knulli and muOS, are available.
- The Hinge: Looking at the released video, the hinge design appears to be the same as used in the RG35XXSP. This should hopefully mean this device is free from the hinge issues that have plagued the SNES colorway of the Miyoo Flip (see Russ from Retro Game Corps’ video here).
What we don’t know:
- Price and Release Date:Â Anbernic does not tend to provide the price or release date in their initial launch video
- Availability in America: At this time, we do not know how the recently implemented global import tariffs will impact the device’s availability in the USA
As ever, we will continue to update this article as more information becomes available.
All devices that have been announced but have not yet shipped are given a dedicated thread in the Upcoming Devices area of the RH Discord. This is an ideal place to discuss the upcoming device.
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Fun fact, the full quote is: “Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, that mediocrity can pay to greatness.”
I love how the full version of most sayings, usually means the opposite of what the more popular shortened version means.
I don’t mean anything in particular by this. I just wanted to share a useless tidbit of knowledge.
The handheld looks awesome.
Hahahaa you’re right
There’s also an upcoming Powkiddy V90s, and it looks similar to both of these… Personally, I I’m not enjoying the hinge issues with the Miyoo Flip V2 hinge, so hopefully Anbernic and Powkiddy solve this problem…
Does it though? Your complete saying is really just saying, “originality is superior, and if you aren’t original, you are mediocre”. So when someone is upset that their ideas are being stolen, does the advice need to punch down? Or are we not above that, being superior and all?
Do you really want to be the guy who remembers sayings that are used to punch down?
He’s not saying the original is better, just that it has a considerably different implication and that fact itself is entertaining. Kinda like Blood is thicker than water. In full context, the original quote actually is the literal opposite. Doesn’t change what people mean by it when they use it now, but its kinda fun to see the evolution of a saying sometimes sheds its original intent. Some times the new intent and use is better, some times its less than. You are what you eat is another one that’s lost much of its intent.
Seriously they should’ve done this from the start! They make solid handhelds and the OS is better now. Tariffs will hurt getting one as a consumer in the U.S. Personally I like to buy directly from the makers and not third party.
Every Nintendo lawyer sat up and looked extra hard at the thumbnail picture for the article lol
I wish they would’ve done the 4 button layout like the 34xx (GBA style tilt instead of cross).
I guess the advantage of the big forehead is that if it takes a tumble the screen is better protected, even if it looks a bit funny.