One of my first handhelds was a Game Boy Advance SP. A small clamshell that played some of my favorite games from the time, as well as some of my least. I’m looking at you Kong. But with that in mind, I’ve always been on the hunt for a handheld that plays GBA in my favorite way possible.
In the past few years, I picked up and had a new GBA SP modded for a stronger metal shell, but with the original AGS-101 screen. I’ve also tried a number of 3:2 handhelds. From the RG351P up to the KTR1, and back down to the Powkiddy V10. But today we’re looking at a premium 3:2 with the Ayaneo Pocket Micro.
Join in as I talk about what I like, and what I don’t like. And spoiler: why I’m not keeping it.
Specs
When it comes to specs, I think it’s important to remember that this starts at $200 for the base model and jumps from there. Or you can buy the top-spec model for $269 over at Antec…for what that’s worth to you.
- CPU: Mediatek Helio G99
- GPU: Mali-G57 MC2
- Ram: 6-8GB
- Storage: 128 / 256GB
- Screen: 3.5-inches, 960×640 (3:2)
- Battery: 2600mAh
- Connectivity: W-Fii 5, Bluetooth 5, USB-C, Micro-SD
- OS: Android 13
- Dimensions: 156x63x18mm
- Weight: 234 grams
What I like
The Screen
Despite being a 3.5” display, the high resolution, 3:2 aspect ratio screen really sings to me. It’s a perfect 4x integer scaling handheld for GBA, and it’s given me a chance to really get in and play some of the games I’ve wanted to play again on a screen like this. I even put my rom of Goodboy Galaxy on here to play, and man is it an experience.
While that 3:2 aspect ratio is perfect for GBA, it still means you’ll have black bars on things like Genesis or Game Boy Color. But when filling the screen with either integer scaling or the overscale settings, it still feels like a nice experience even if the black bars would otherwise bug some people. Out of everything with the Pocket Micro, this is probably my favorite part. Hence why I put it before everything else.
The Hand Feel
When I say hand feel, I really mean how this thing feels in my hands. While a lot of people at the time of release worried that it’d be a bit of a boxy device in hand, I found that it wasn’t too terrible. The chamfered edges of the Micro lend added comfort when handling the device. While you shouldn’t buy it for the metal exterior shell, the added weight from it helps to just make a solid-feeling device.
Alongside all of that, the controls I actually intend to use are placed squarely in that “nice and usable” space that makes it even better. Despite all odds, the Ayaneo Pocket Micro manages to do a lot right in terms of ergonomics and feel, and that’s something I absolutely have to applaud them for.
The Controls (Mostly)
When I say mostly, I mean everything on the top half of the device. The D-pad on the left side really reminds me of some of my older handhelds. It has a nice pivot for me and ran the Celeste gamut completely fine. Getting me to the top at my 3-minute average with minimal deaths. The face buttons are light but have a nice clack when pressed.
Even the shoulder buttons do it well. Despite being inline, the click of the shoulder buttons is light and responsive and does well in the games I play that need shoulder buttons. But otherwise, they’re almost there.
What I don’t
The Price to Performance
I think I’ve harped on the G99 chipset when talking about the ZPG Unicorn and the KTR1 enough. It’s something that climbs you all the way up to native GameCube and some PS2 emulation well enough. But in the case of the Ayaneo Pocket Micro, that’s not my biggest issue. It’s the amount you’re paying to get a device with this premium of a feeling but with a chipset like that.
The Battery
This battery is small. At 2,600mAh you’re not only falling below the size of other G99 handhelds, as well as most other Android handhelds. You’re also falling beneath the size of a lot of Linux-based handhelds. For reference, the recently released TrimUI Smart Brick has a 3,000mAh battery. The RG28XX has a 3,100mAh battery even. At this size, a 2,600mAh battery feels inexcusable.
While it does last, it doesn’t last forever. So if you want to push the G99 chipset in here to its limit be prepared to stay by the charger.
The Sticks
The other half of the controls and the part I don’t like. I’ve harped on Anbernic for using the Joy-Con sticks, but at least they’ve fixed it on their Android releases. The Micro not only uses Joy-Con style sticks but adds atop it this rubbery soft-touch finish that does not feel good. It feels like a material that will peel away or chip after enough use over time. I would prefer traditional rubber over this. For once it’s not the feel of the stick movement for me, but rather the feel of the caps themselves.
And if you tell me that you can remove the sticks, I’d say no. On a device at this price, if you’re modding it to remove functionality, I don’t think you grabbed the right handheld.
Should You Buy It and Alternatives?
When it comes to whether or not you should buy the Pocket Micro comes down to whether or not it fits your specific need. And you’re okay with shelling out that amount of money for a device with those specs. For $200 you could pick up a Retroid Pocket Mini, of which RH has a comparison video. That trades the metal build and 3:2 for a plastic/glass, high-resolution 4:3 display.
If you just want the power of a G99 you could grab a ZPG A1 Unicorn. At $125 you lose the metal for a full plastic body. The controls are all clicky, and you get a 4” 720p display instead. However, if you want the 3:2 display, your choices are way more limited right now. The Powkiddy V10 and RG351P are sub $50, but the price reflects the quality. And the RK3326 chipset running inside of them.
Otherwise, you really have to jump up to the Micro or the KTR1. A handheld with an even larger 3:2 display, and a battery almost 3 times the size. In terms of value, I’d say it wins. But quality and timing? You would be better off with Ayaneo.
Final Thoughts
Is the Pocket Micro good? Yes. Should you buy one? If it’s exactly what you want at the price it comes in at. Am I keeping mine? No.
The biggest detractor for me nowadays is the battery life. If I’m running purely GBA sure, you can get some decent battery. However, for $200 plus shipping, or $269 from Antec, you shouldn’t push this thing and expect x86 battery life numbers.
I like it. A lot, but for the price you should just expect more longevity. Especially when devices a third the price can hold larger batteries. Don’t worry though, Team Retrogue will love this thing when it eventually gets to him.
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