When you get a handheld, the out-of-the-box experience is one of the great concerns a lot of us have. Does it run ArkOS? Does it run ROCKNIX or maybe an old build of JelOS? Is it Android 9 or is it Android 13? Regardless it’s a concern a lot of us have, but was one that I especially had when it came to the Powkiddy RGB20SX. How is it now? Well, I can only hope it’s good.
Amongst all the micro devices like the RG28XX and the A30, I want to shine a light and give some of my first impressions of a device with a slightly bigger screen.
Specs and Ergo
- Screen: 4 inch IPS; 720×720
- Processor: Rockchip RK3566
- GPU: Mali-G52 MP2
- Ram: 1GB LPDDR4
- Storage: Dual Micro SD Cards (1x 16GB Card by Default)
- Battery: 5,000mAh
- Dimensions: 143x87x22
When it comes to charging, it uses the DC USB-C Port, and just like with the RGB30, I would really recommend just sticking to a 5-watt brick, and a C to A cable just to be on the safe side.
Off the bat, verticals are a bit of an awkward device to use, but I finagled my way around it and eventually found a comfortable way to hold it. I will be getting rid of those sticks though as they’re just uncomfortable to use right now. It’s lightweight, but I think the plastic feels better than the RGB30. I like it, but I think the nature of candybar-style handhelds makes them a bit more comfortable. Also, because I have one I’d like to mention, this is even more comfortable than the Retro Pixel Pocket, another square-screened vertical.
And just for reference. Here are the weights of some other 3566 handhelds.
- Powkiddy RGB30 – 207 grams
- RGB10 Max 3 – 221 grams
- RGB20SX – 222 grams
- Anbernic RG503 – 236 grams
- Anbernic Arc – 246 grams
Screen and Buttons
Off the bat, the 720p screen of the RGB20SX is such a nice feature. It’s nice, bright, and works well for scaling most systems, and fits my favorites like Pico-8 basically perfectly. What feels a little bit odd to me is traditional 4:3 content. In a vertical like the Anbernic 353V it fits well, there are no black borders making it taller. But on the SX machine, the black borders are what make this device feel so strangely tall. While not a negative, it definitely felt a bit odd to me and worth mentioning… at least now.
Also, these buttons? I think I prefer them to my RGB30, as well as my RGB10 Max 3. They’re a bit lighter, and the shoulders are quieter compared to something like an RGB20S or R35S/R36S. The D-pad feels a little sharp on the edges but less so than the prior Powkiddys. Initially, I’m quite happy with these though we’ll see what changes later on.
OS
This is the one that I was the most concerned about. Upon booting the device for the first time, I’m met with a build of ROCKNIX from April 11th. Fairly recent so not too bad. But as a whole, this isn’t my first choice. So I took the ArkOS card out of my RGB30 and plugged it into the SX Machine. And it booted. Everything seemed to work well. I even reconnected Wi-Fi and could access Splore in Pico-8. Great right?
Good, but not perfect. The FN button doesn’t have an immediate use which makes sense, and can be mapped if I need to. And. I can’t seem to turn it off within the menu. The first time, I went to quit and shut down the system. I set it down and went to do my business, and when I came back with a Diet A&W the RGB20SX was just. On. Turns out shutting down would just reset the machine, so I took the long press to power off and used that instead.
Personally, I’m waiting for ArkOS to bring proper support or for something like Gamma Core to make an appearance, giving us all an OS that I really want to use on a vertical like this. But for now, we wait.
Final Words
These are just initial impressions, but I like this one a lot. Powkiddy has seemingly been getting better. Still have their misses, but I’d take this over the original RGB20 any day of the week. If you already have an RGB30, you don’t need this. If you don’t have one, or any 3566 device, if you really want a vertical, this might just unseat the 353V for me. But we’ll have to see with time.
I can only hope a fully blown OS can really help this device. In the meantime, does anyone want to buy a Metal RGB30? I’ve got a RGB20SX Machine to keep me busy.
If you’re looking to get an RGB20SX for yourself, you can grab one using one of the links below:
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