Early last week, Retroid announced plans to provide previous Mini buyers with a new screen assembly as part of a DIY kit, set to begin shipping in mid-April. This upgraded kit will feature the 1240 x 1080 display from the Retroid Pocket Classic, offering a long-awaited resolution to the Mini’s ongoing screen issues.
However, understanding the situation can be a bit confusing, especially for those who have followed it from the start. Retroid originally claimed that the Mini featured a 1280 x 960 display — a resolution that, for some, represented the ideal retro handheld experience. However, it was later revealed that the screen was not as advertised and is actually 1240 x 1080 instead.
That’s where the confusion sets in. The current screen in the Mini and the screen used in the assembly that will be shipped out to previous customers are the exact same screen.
Screen vs. Screen
The Retroid Pocket Mini uses the same screen as found in the LG Wing’s secondary panel, but the Mini utilizes a screen driver that alters the way it presents itself in the current iteration of the Mini. The new screen will broadcast the screen as it should. The new screen will do what other handhelds using the same secondary screen do: turn it 90 degrees.
How an LG Wing screen finds itself on a Retroid Pocket Mini
The actual screen specs of the Pocket Mini are 3.97 inches at 1240 x 1080. The screen driver, in essence, nullifies 0.27 inches worth of screen, dividing it between the top and bottom. Meaning, you’re losing 0.136 inches of screen real estate on the top, horizontally, and then again on the bottom, horizontally. One of the biggest critiques the Mini received when initially shown off was its oddly large bezels. Well, this explains why they exist.
The driver and its application on the current Mini “changes” the screen resolution of the screen itself from 1240 x 1080 to 1240 x 930 — a 4:3 ratio. As far as Retroid would admit, the screen driver then scales that 1240 x 930 up to 1280 x 960, retaining the 4:3 aspect ratio.
In a very condensed fashion, this is a full breakdown of the Retroid Pocket Mini screen issue. However, with Retroid announcing a new screen assembly for Mini purchasers, it does slightly introduce some questions.
What’s the Difference?
Why do we need a new screen assembly? What benefits does it bring? Will there be a screen issue with the new screen?
The answers to the above are scattered but nothing too fancy. In short, current Mini owners will need the new assembly to have a screen that reports the correct resolution while also maintaining its original size. The Retroid Pocket Classic that launched last week will feature the same screen but display it fully — 3.97 inches, 1240 x 1080.
Current 3.7″ screen
Upcoming 3.97″ screen
The Mini screen assembly will do the same. On a current Mini, there is a noticeable bezel around the screen itself. That area of the device is both holding the screen in place and hiding that same 0.27 inches as discussed above.
With a nearly 4-inch screen at 1240 x 1080, there are only two other devices that house the same screen: the AYANEO Pocket DMG and Retroid Pocket Classic.
Power Meets Sacrifice
With the Snapdragon G3X Gen 2 being so powerful and the G1 Gen 2 positioned to bring power with some sacrifice, the Snapdragon 865 in the RP Mini may make it a standout handheld again. The RP Mini, with its 6GB of RAM and the SD865, is more than capable of playing anything up to PS2 and GameCube.
However, it won’t be able to achieve the golden 960p — 2x those console’s native 460p — the new screen will allow for 1.93x. Where it will excel is on Game Boy and Game Boy Color titles by offering 7.5x integer scaling and almost perfectly filling the screen.
Retro Handheld Simulator (Game Boy) on an AYANEO Pocket DMG
The new Retroid Pocket Mini will have a nearly 1:1 screen (10⅓:9), placing it in a retro handheld class with other powerful devices like the RG Cube. However, the SD 865 in the Mini easily surpasses the Unisoc T820. Pair that with the AMOLED screen and entirely glass front and the battle easily favors the Mini.
It has yet to be seen how truly nice the “new” screen will look in the Retroid Pocket Mini, but it’s possible that what was once believed to be the best 4:3 handheld will be reborn as a contender for best square screen handheld.
Render of new Retroid Pocket Mini screen supplied by Retroid Joye
What did you think of this article? Let us know in the comments below, and chat with us in our Discord!
This page may contain affiliate links, by purchasing something through a link, Retro Handhelds may earn a small commission on the sale at no additional cost to you.