As the owner of multiple Retroid, Anbernic and Ayaneo devices, I am not ashamed of my enthusiasm for them Android portable devices. With this in mind, I looked forward to the upcoming events Anbernic RG DSwhich, as the name suggests, looks very similar to the iconic Nintendo DS from my gaming heyday. However, a up-to-date AliExpress listing detailing the device’s specifications has dampened my interest and I doubt I’m the only one.
My main concern with the RG DS is the Rockchip RK3568 chip, which doesn’t offer the power needed to run the best mobile games, especially demanding games like Genshin Impact and PUBG Mobile. Combine this processor with a modest 3GB of RAM and just 32GB of storage, and the specs make for quite a disappointing read.
The display specs are also a bit concerning, as both four-inch screens offer a resolution of 640 x 480. This could be an improvement on the original DS, which, recall, was launched in 2004, but now it’s 2025 and I expected a little better from the RG DS. We’ll have to test it out ourselves to be sure, but it doesn’t look like it’ll be anything graphically stunning, at least not compared to some of the top models in our guide to the best retro handhelds.
The caveat to these penniless specs is that the RG DS at least appears to be very affordable, with the AliExpress listing showing a pre-order price of $108.99. That’s significantly cheaper than some other DS-style handhelds we’ve seen recently, like the Ayaneo Pocket DS and Ayn Thor. However, these mobile devices are also much more effective in terms of performance, so we will have to wait and see if mobile gamers are willing to compromise.
Finally, it’s worth noting that this AliExpress listing was first spotted by Joey’s retro PDA’shas since disappeared. So we’ll have to wait for an update from Anbernic to get final confirmation on the price and specifications of the handheld device. If you’re instead looking for something you can buy and play straight away, check out our guides to the best handheld consoles and the best Steam Deck alternatives while you’re here.
