If you're here, you're likely chasing that perfect balance between nostalgia and performance in a handheld emulator. As a retro gaming journalist with a lifelong obsession for pixels, scanlines, and crackling CRT memories, I’ve had my hands on countless handhelds over the years. But ANBERNIC keeps outdoing themselves.
I’ve spent weeks with the RG405M, RG353V, and RG40XXV — playing everything from Chrono Trigger to God of War: Chains of Olympus — and I’m here to help you decide which one belongs in your collection.
Let’s dive in.
The RG405M feels like it was CNC-machined by a retro god. The aluminum shell screams premium, and it feels like a luxury item in your hands. It's sleek, sturdy, and surprisingly ergonomic for long sessions. At 260g, it’s a bit heavier, but that’s the price you pay for a device that could probably survive a fall down a flight of stairs.
The RG353V goes vertical — think Game Boy Color vibes. It’s lightweight (180g), super pocketable, and perfect for on-the-go sessions. The plastic shell is decent, but feels more “toy” than “tool.” If you grew up on Nintendo’s vertical handhelds, this is like holding history.
This one’s a celebration of ANBERNIC’s 10th anniversary — and it shows. The transparent shell and SNES-inspired button layout give it strong retro DNA. It’s lighter than the RG405M but feels more modern than the RG353V. Build quality hits a sweet spot between the two.
Winner: RG405M for premium build. RG40XXV for best nostalgia/modern blend.
Display Model Size Resolution Touch RG405M 4.0" 640×480 ✅ RG353V 3.5" 640×480 ✅ RG40XXV 3.5" 640×480 ❌
All three displays are crisp and bright, but the RG405M takes the crown with its larger 4.0" screen and full touch support. The RG353V also has touch, which is handy for Android apps. The RG40XXV? No touch — purely buttons here.
Winner: RG405M
Model CPU RAM OS RG405M Unisoc T618 (Octa) 4GB LPDDR4X Android 12 RG353V RK3566 (Quad) 2GB LPDDR4 Android 11 + Linux RG40XXV ATM7039S (Quad) 1GB DDR3 Linux
Blazing fast. PS2, GameCube, and Dreamcast run shockingly well. Genshin Impact? Yep, playable. You get OTA updates, dual analog sticks with hall sensors, and even gyroscopic controls.
Handles PSP and N64 pretty well, and the dual-boot with Linux gives you flexibility. It’s the sweet spot for intermediate users who want a clean Linux emulation experience and occasional Android perks.
Strictly Linux. Good for SNES, GBA, PS1, and a sprinkle of PSP. If you're not into fiddling with Android or need simplicity, this is your guy.
Winner: RG405M (by a mile)
Model Battery Playtime RG405M 4500mAh ~7 hrs RG353V 3200mAh ~6 hrs RG40XXV 3300mAh ~7 hrs
Surprisingly close, but the RG405M lasts longer despite its performance. Efficiency is on point.
Winner: RG405M
RG405M: Plays everything. PS2, GameCube, Android games, even gyro-based stuff. It's your all-in-one powerhouse.
RG353V: Great for most retro systems up to PSP/N64. The vertical layout is a charm for Game Boy games.
RG40XXV: Best for 8-bit and 16-bit classics. Clean UI, instant boot, no Android headaches.
Winner: RG405M for versatility, RG353V for pure retro immersion.
If I could only keep one? The RG405M is the handheld I reach for most often. It feels like the future dressed in retro skin.
But if you’re more nostalgic than demanding, the RG353V or RG40XXV might hit your sweet spot.
Choose wisely — and enjoy the pixelated bliss, my fellow retro junkies. 🕹️