While I agree with many who feel a bit fatigued with the number of handhelds being released, I have to commend Anbernic. Despite being the source of much of that fatigue, the company is doing something completely different, as evidenced by the RG40XXV.
Instead of targeting just one segment of the market, Anbernic is spreading the love. Did you want a pocketable mini handheld with plenty of juice? Grab the RG28XX. Do you want a modern version of the GBA SP? The RG35XX SP is practically perfect. Were you enamored by the RG40XXH but want a vertical handheld? Enter the RG40XXV.
We were led to believe that the RG40XXH would be the last H700-powered Anbernic handheld. But, Anbernic had other ideas, as the RG40XXV was announced, complete with the H700 in tow.
Anbernic RG40XXV: The Basics
The RG40XXV arrives as a successor to the RG351V, which was originally released back in 2021. As the name suggests, it’s another vertical handheld, bucking the recent trend of horizontal and 1:1 handhelds. In that vein, we have a 4-inch IPS screen with a 640 x 480 resolution, making for a 4:3 aspect ratio.
Paired with the Allwinner H700 is 1GB of LPDDR4 RAM, to go along with the dual-microSD card slots on the bottom. Anbernic also equips the 40XXV with a USB-C charging port on the bottom, in addition to a micro HDMI port at the top. As for battery life, we have a 3,200mAh cell, which is rated to last for up to six hours, but does support USB-C to USB-C charging.
Meanwhile, there are three different colors to choose from, and pricing starts at $66. With that, you’ll get a 64GB microSD Card, but we also can opt for 64GB+128GB or 64GB+256GB versions.
Anbernic RG40XX V at AliExpress
Anbernic RG40XXV: Design and Display
When the RG40XXV was first leaked, I immediately thought Anbernic was trying to throw shade at Ayaneo. At the time, the Pocket DMG was recently unveiled, presenting a unique take for fans of vertical handhelds. This is because in addition to the D-Pad and ABXY buttons, the Pocket DMG also sports a thumbstick in the bottom left corner and a built-in touchpad.
Obviously, Anbernic didn’t go that far with the RG40XXV, but it is a vertical handheld which adds a thumbstick in the bottom left corner. The obvious benefit of having this is being able to enjoy games that require a thumbstick without needing to worry about the D-Pad trying to pull double duty.
The other reason why the RG40XXV is so intriguing is the reliance on the 4-inch IPS display. Many of the alternatives stick to the tried-and-true 3.5-inch IPS screen. That’s far from a bad thing, but man, it turns out that half an inch makes a big difference.
I don’t feel I have to squint at the screen to see anything, which is quite nice as my eyes aren’t as good as they used to be. I’m also not sure where Anbernic is sourcing these displays from, but my RG40XXV looks as crisp and clean as any other non-OLED handheld I have.
Oh, and if you’re wondering why my buttons look different, it’s because these were donated by my RG35XX 2024.
Anbernic RG40XXV: Performance
If you’re wondering about performance, what more can I really say that hasn’t already been said? It’s the same H700 that Anbernic has been since the RG35XX Plus was introduced late in 2024.
In the event that this is your first handheld, the RG40XXV can handle up to PS1 with ease. From there, most Nintendo DS, N64, and Dreamcast games play just fine, but you’ll start running into issues with PSP and Saturn.
Anbernic RG40XXV: A Couple of Minor Gripes
The RG40XXV is far from the “perfect” handheld, but there really isn’t much to complain about here. My biggest complaint comes from the rear triggers. Now, this could just be a “me” thing, but I end up hitting the triggers way too often.
As I’m still on an Apotris kick, it’s rather frustrating to not realize that I hit the trigger, swapping out pieces unintentionally. It’s not as big of a problem with the RG40XXV as it was with the RGB20SX I replaced the stock triggers with some 3D-printed ones. But, it’s still annoying nevertheless.
My other gripe is an even smaller problem, and honestly, might already be solved. I thought that with the wider body of the RG40XXV, my hands would feel right at home, but it just wasn’t meant to be. I think it has something to do with the flat back, even though the edges are curved. On the bright side, it’s less of a problem than when I want to use the Miyoo Mini Plus or RG35XX Plus. It’s just something to keep in mind.
As for the comment about the problem being solved, that’s because Anbernic already announced the RG406V. Along with also sporting a 4-inch display, the RG406V is a bit more bulbous thanks to the grip-like design on the back. I’m intrigued to see if this ends up being the “ultimate vertical” for me, but that’ll have to wait.
Anbernic RG40XXV: Custom Firmware
One of the reasons why Anbernic’s onslaught of handhelds has been tiresome is due to the fact that the majority of them are powered by the H700. We know that there are more powerful processors out there, but the company obviously hasn’t cleared out its inventory yet.
The counterargument to this is that we don’t have to worry about another Miyoo A30 scenario. Instead, since the H700 continues to be utilized, this means that there are plenty of great custom firmware solutions. Two of our favorites, Knulli and muOS, work incredibly well with the RG40XXV, and things are only getting better.
Don’t believe me? Check out the video above, as Zu gives everyone a look at what’s to come from the upcoming muOS Bananas update.
Anbernic RG40XXV: Should You Buy It?
There are two reasons why I would recommend that you pick up the RG40XXV. The first of which is the screen, as a 4-inch display is just divine, especially compared to the competition. It’s clean and crisp, and there aren’t any light bleed concerns.
The other reason is that you might want to play N64 and PS1 games, but don’t have a handheld that has a built-in thumbstick. Most of the time, the D-Pad emulation works just fine, but being able to go back and forth between the two is just more convenient.
That being said, if you want a Pocket DMG on a budget, then the RG40XXV is the one to get. There’s a good chance that this will replace my beloved RG353V, but it might not sit on the throne for long, as the RG406V is coming soon.
Anbernic RG40XX V at AliExpress
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