Update 3: Pre-Orders Begin June 9, 9:30PM EDT

Retroid has not only revealed that pre-orders are set to begin tonight, but has also shared various product and other promotional images.

Retroid has spent the past three days showcasing its upcoming screen add-on, revealing how it attaches to the Retroid Pocket 5 and what users can expect. While the attachment is designed to fit the RP5 seamlessly, Retroid has confirmed it will also be compatible with the Retroid Pocket Mini and Pocket 4 Pro. Additionally, it supports any device with a 6″ – 7″ screen capable of DisplayPort over USB-C, though the form factor is optimized specifically for the Retroid lineup. Specifically, however, Retroid says it is not compatible with the Steam Deck.

The add-on features a 5.5-inch 1080p AMOLED display — identical to the screen on the Retroid Pocket 5. At launch, it will be available in purple, black, and translucent. The purple option closely resembles the classic GameCube color, while the translucent version offers a clean, colorless look, unlike the tinted Ice Blue variant seen on the Retroid Pocket Flip 2.

With USB-C passthrough charging and dedicated brightness controls, the attachment pushes the Retroid Pocket 5 into new territory — one that’s largely untapped. While there are no mainstream handhelds built specifically for 3DS or DS emulation, similar functionality has been achieved with devices like the Microsoft Surface Duo and LG V60 or ThinQ with their Dual Screen case. This new add-on brings that dual-screen experience directly into the retro handheld space.

The Dual Screen Add-on will be available directly from Retroid tonight, June 9, at 9:30PM EDT with a price of $69. Using the coupon code “RDS” can shave $5 off the total price. Shipping is estimated to begin on August 5.

Update 2: Final Price Announced

Over on the Retroid Discord, David has shared the final price for the touch screen variant of the new screen add-on.

Add-on attachment touch model price announcement

A price of $69 for the touch-based version of the attachment is exceptionally competitive given the market of dual screen devices is split between only a few handhelds.

The Retroid Pocket 5, 4 Pro, and Mini have all carved out specific subsets of the retro handheld space and established themselves as top tier standouts for those looking for a powerful, nicely designed, mid-range handheld.

With the attachment having a price that rivals some of the other handhelds gamers can purchase, it does beg the question: what’s next? A handheld with a 5.5″ OLED screen can be configured to sport a second OLED screen and, hopefully, make it one of the best devices to buy for DS or 3DS games. Past this point, the only additions we can hypothesize would be found solely in power — or making the device have dual screens from the start.

Excitement for a showcase from Retroid is palpable. With the add-on being confirmed for three of Retroid’s recent devices, we still have to wait and see if the attachment will be a one-size-fits-all solution or if different models will be for sale depending on the overall form of the handheld it is attaching to.

Update: More Details Revealed

Not long after the announcement of the Dual Screen Add-On was made official, we have independently learned a few more things about what it will offer. Most importantly, the second screen will be OLED, which is simply pretty great to see.

Based on the render shared, it’s probably safe to assume Retroid is using the same 5.5-inch AMOLED panel that is found in the Retroid Pocket 5 and Pocket Flip 2. That being said, it’s very likely that we’ll also see a version released specifically for the Retroid Pocket Mini V2.

As was mentioned in the Retroid Discord, the Dual Screen Add-On will allow for passthrough charging. This is great, seeing as there’s only one USB-C port, but it also removes the need to go out and try and find a USB-C hub that works properly.

Lastly, while we weren’t told what the price is, Retroid has apparently already made that determination, and we should learn more about it tomorrow. All we know is that it’s “not $100,” but no other clarification was provided, so it could be less, or it could cost more.

A day after we reported on the cryptic tweets Retroid has been sharing, the company has officially unveiled its “Dual Screen Add-On”. Which is not a standalone handheld, but a modular second screen that clips onto the Retroid Pocket 5, Pocket Mini, or 4 Pro.

The add-on allows users to transform their existing RP5 into a dual-screen setup, reminiscent of the Nintendo DS or modern clamshells like the AYANEO Flip DS, offering new functionality without forcing an entirely new handheld purchase.

Retroid Pocket 5 dual screen attachment

This announcement comes during an interesting time for Retroid, following a year marked by ambitious and sometimes polarizing hardware choices.

Retroid Ups and Downs

The Retroid Pocket Mini, for example, launched with retro charm but quickly found itself at the center of a screen controversy. The company had originally proclaimed the screen was a 4:3 960p panel, only for it to later be revealed to be a 1240 x 1080 resolution screen with a near 10:9 aspect ratio. Despite the controversy, the relaunch of the Retroid Pocket Mini V2 has been well-received by the retro gaming community.

Retroid paired the Mini launch with bold designs like the Retroid Pocket Flip 2, their second clamshell device, which improved on the original Flip with better ergonomics and performance. Though still niche, it appealed to those looking for an Android experience with the familiarity of clamshell devices like the well-adored Nintendo DS. Then came the Retroid Pocket Classic, a compact, vertical-style device clearly targeting fans of Game Boy nostalgia.

Double the Screens

The new dual-screen add-on shows Retroid’s willingness to experiment without abandoning existing users. Instead of a new $150–$200 device, this accessory gives Retroid Pocket 5, Mini, and Pro owners a meaningful upgrade path. The promo image shows the top screen running a racing game while the Pocket 5 screen displays the map. How Retroid will manage to make this work via Android on the three devices remains a mystery, mostly due to Android not natively supporting dual screens.

Maybe we can see the future.

Although we have seen dual-screen Android devices many times before. For instance, the LG Wing, the device whose screen for the Mini V2 and Classic originates from, featured not only two screens running in unison, but two screens with wildly different aspect ratios.

The release of an attachment that improves the overall playability of the three aforementioned handhelds signals a shift: Retroid may finally be embracing modularity and user investment over iteration. With no official price or release date announced yet, the community is eager and cautiously optimistic. After all, Retroid’s journey has been anything but predictable.

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