GammaOS, an Android custom firmware for retro handhelds, has released its first beta for devices using the RK3566.

This includes the following devices:

• Powkiddy RGB30
• Powkiddy RGB20SX
• Powkiddy RGB10Max 3
• Anbernic RG503
• Anbernic RG353M
• Anbernic RG Arc-D
• Anbernic RG Arc-S
• Anbernic RG353V
• Anbernic RG353VS
• Anbernic RG353P
• Anbernic RG353PS

The beta version of the new GammaOS Core can be obtained directly from the GammaOS Patreon page.

GammaOS has been a project worth following since it first landed on the scene. The OS aims to bring Android to Linux-based devices by making custom firmware heavily based on LineageOS. LineageOS itself is ranked the most popular distribution of Android for those who use custom firmware on their Android phones.

GammaOS Core Announcement

With Android on these older and relatively underpowered retro handhelds, players can expect some things to not function as they typically would on a phone. GammaOS is based on a clean version of LineageOS, so bloatware should be entirely absent. But GammaOS sets the peg a bit higher by coming preconfigured for retro handhelds.

The full-featured version of GammaOS comes preinstalled with Magisk root manager. AdGuard, Daijosho frontend, and the Aurora Store, a secondary app store for Android.

The custom firmware is typically offered as a slimmed-down version on its own, but for less powerful devices, there is GammaOS Lite. Lite excludes Google apps and services to help spread the available performance a bit more.

Core is that and then some more. Instead of using a fork of Android meant for phones, Core uses the one available for small streaming boxes, some drastically less powerful than many retro handhelds. It sacrifices Daijisho for Plain Launcher, a minimalist Android frontend made by Boko Yoss with a handheld form factor and function in mind.

Here’s a full list of completed features and known bugs, shared on the GammaOS Patreon.

GammaOS Core beta 1 Feature List & Bugs

Features:

• Minimal Android 13 TV tailored for low-power devices.
• Boot from SD card without affecting your internal eMMC install.
• RetroArch and Plain Launcher pre-installed.
• Improved CPU and graphics performance on select devices.
• Rooted with Magisk support.
• HDMI output settings for Rockchip RK3566 devices.

Known Issues:

• Vibration support is missing (coming in the next release).
• Compatibility issues with mainline kernels might cause reboots instead of shutdowns.

Utilizing Android on these handhelds can change how you play your games, and what type of player you are. The customization immediately available on Android is unparalleled, but the ease of use that comes with Linux-based systems is sometimes the preferred choice for retro gamers everywhere. With GammaOS, the choice is now there for anyone to decide.

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