We’re already halfway through 2025, and Anbernic is still releasing its H700 line of handhelds to the market. While the RG40XXH may have originally been quoted as the last H700, Anbernic has since released another four.
Now enter the RG35XX Pro, the fifth since that fated “last H700” and the second time we’ve seen this exact form factor this year. How is it? Is it going to be worth your time and money? These may be first impressions, but I already have an opinion forming.
Anbernic RG35XX Pro: Pricing and Specs
One thing that they have done right with the release of the RG35XX Pro is pricing. For the first 72 hours after release, you can grab it for $44.99, and afterwards it jumps to $49.99. This is probably one of the cheaper H700s you can grab, and considering some of the specs, I’d say it’ll probably end up being worth it for many.
That still doesn’t stop the slew of 3326 verticals priced under it from being available, though.
- Display: 3.5-inch IPS
- Resolution: 640 x 480
- Processor: Allwinner H700
- GPU: Dual-Core Mali-G31 MP2
- RAM: 1GB LPDDR4
- Storage: 2x microSD Cards
- Battery: 3200mAh, ~7 hours
- Connectivity: Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 4.2, Headphone Jack
- Extras: mini HDMI, Vibration Motor
- Colors: Transparent Teal, White, Black
RG35XX Pro at Anbernic RG35XX Pro at AliExpress
We’ve Seen This Before
I know it’s been beaten to the ground by this point, but I want to get it out of the way. This is almost an exact copy of the BatleXP G350. From the controls to the shoulder buttons and even the bottom firing speaker, these two handhelds line up with each other in a strikingly similar way.
However, there is one difference, and that lies at the top. While the G350 just held its USB-C port and headphone jack, the RG35XX Pro shifts that all around to make room for a Mini HDMI port.
Wow.
Really, though, these two handhelds are similar enough that if they came in the same colors, you wouldn’t be able to tell just by looking at the front. Maybe outside a difference in bezel, but no one is really looking for that.
The Controls are Good
Like I mentioned, it’s basically a G350 with some added features. Namely, Wi-Fi as well as HDMI out. But that means they also brought the goods, including the controls.
The face buttons are nice and thumpy with a glossy coating. The D-pad has a super solid pivot, and ends up being my second favorite style of D-pad, and the shoulder buttons are nice and light to press on the back. The shoulder buttons alone make this the biggest upgrade
Anbernic Still Does Software
Just like every H700, the RG35XX Pro boots up perfectly fine into its Anbernic OS software system. That means you get your go-to “Game Room” that you shouldn’t use next to your “RA Game” that you should. And of course, it brings your apps, favorites, history, and settings. The last of which I always recommend you go into in order to turn off the obnoxious button sound effects.
What can I say about the software itself? It’s not pretty, but it also just works out of the box. If you’re gifting this to someone who doesn’t know much about handhelds, handing them this is the cheat code to get up and running super quickly. They don’t have to do any fiddling if they don’t want to, and luckily, Anbernics’ software just works. But this will also leave them open in the future to added software support from other firmwares. Maybe.
The Benefits of H700
One of the nice things about Anbernic, still using the H700 in their current budget devices, is the sheer amount of custom firmware being developed for them. With that in mind, many people who buy handhelds like this are probably expecting to see support for it as well.
While I will never say it’s coming, if they like the devices too, there’s at least a chance. While this was a similar situation to all the older RK3566 and 3326 handhelds, I do hold a little bit more hope towards the modern choices and wish them the best in development for the H700 line.
Competition and Thoughts
As I’ve mentioned a few times so far, the biggest competition to the RG35XX Pro is the G350, and the current mass of RK3326 verticals on the low end of the market. The R36S and its 300 clones make a solid value proposition. On the other side of things, the rest of Anbernics’ H700 line, both in higher and lower prices, though the only other vertical with a stick, is the 40XXV.
In my opinion, the real competition is the last dual-stick vertical Anbernic made. The Anbernic RG353V. A 3566 with solid support, a good build quality, and two sticks placed right at the bottom. Though the value only makes sense used as a new 353V, which starts at $79, $30 more than the RG35XX Pro.
In the end, it’s up to you whether you need it or not. If it’s a first device or a gift device, I’d probably recommend either it or the BatleXP G350 over any of the cheaper options. However, I wouldn’t consider this an upgrade device unless the battery on your 351V is cooked, or you’re still holding out on something even older.
Though knowing a lot of you are reading, most of you have the sickness, and you’re going to buy it for the collection. That’s just how it is, and that’s what Anbernic expects of us.
RG35XX Pro at Anbernic RG35XX Pro at AliExpress
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