The TrimUI Brick could be my new EDC?
I review a lot of handhelds every year and am always looking for that special device that is an upgrade to my EDC. I mention this because there is a very real chance that the TrimUI Brick might just be that perfect handheld to replace the Anbernic RG35xxSP that is currently sitting comfortably in my pocket.
I’m not saying I’m ready to ditch the RG35xxSP completely as it very well might be moved over to my “man bag” to hangout with my Steam Deck. As much as I like the SP which is more powerful than the Brick it is oddly a rather large handheld in even my nicest of gym shorts. I have been looking for something slightly bigger than the Miyoo Mini I carried for years but doesn’t leave you asking if that’s a handheld in my pocket or…. I really want a little more power than the Miyoo to assist with emulation as well, which partly makes the SP so great. That and the GameBoy Advanced SP nostalgia. This might just be where the TrimUI Brick will come in.
The Brick (slightly more properly named than the Anbernic RG Cube) will have just the power I’m looking for if the pre-production specs stand true. Right now it is stated to have the Allwinner A133P 1.8GHz CPU which would be the same as one of my favorite handhelds the TrimUI Smart Pro or TSP as it is known in emulation circles. I actually ordered the TSP on day one when it cost exactly twice as much as it does today. A lot of people initially stayed away from it because of TrimUI’s infamously un-user friendly firmware. I saw the potential and now own multiple TSP handhelds mostly because it comes in different colors. But also because I’ve been testing new firmware iterations since they became available and it’s easier to compare. Though the firmware on TrimUI handhelds all the way back to the TrimUI Smart (designed by the Miyoo team) and TrimUI Model S (also has a Powkiddy iteration) has sucked, someone has always made it better later. I fear we may have that same waiting period with the Brick.
TrimUI Brick Specs Translated:
Processor CPU Allwinner A133P 1.8 GHz GPU.
Imagination PowerVR GE8300 660MHz
Memory DRAM 1 GB LPDDR3
Built-in storage 8GB and MMC
External storag TF card, maximum expansion to 1TB
USB port supports FAT32 format USB flash drive
Display scree 3.2 inches, 1024×768 pixels, IPS, full fit
Network WLAN 802.11 b/g/n
Bluetooth B2.1 + EDR/4.2
Trumpet Built-in stereo speaker (1 watt) x 2
Earphone Bottom 3.5mm headphone jack
Microphone Built-in mono microphone
Battery 3000mAh lithium polymer battery, 3.7V, 5 hours of battery life
Charge USB Type-C interface, 5V/1.5A charging, supports shutdown charging, limited to 500mA under USB data transmission
Pilot lamp Side power button integrated charging indicator light
Ambit light The ambient light on the top of the back,
L1/L2/R1/R2 shoulder button ambient light
F1/F2 RGB indicator light Function keys
Custom FN lock switch, front F1/F2 shortcut key
Port Top Type-C: USB Host, plug-in USB handle
Bottom Type-C: USB charging port, OTG function
TF card slot
Vibrating motor
Width: 73.2mm
Height: 109.9mm
Thickness: 19.9mm, the upper half is 11.79mm
All that aside it was obvious on day 1 that the build quality and A133P CPU would be a winning combination if they got a little TLC. It’s great to now have a handheld that looks and feels like a Sony PSP all the way down to the DPad that also reliably plays PSP games. In the emulation market there are a dozen PSP clones that struggle to play PS1. This should be more than enough power for the Brick along with its reported 1GB LPDDR3 ram. If you follow emulation handhelds at all it should be immediately obvious that emulators are CPU not GPU intensive.
The Brick’s 3.2” 1024×768 IPS display will make it just that little bit bigger than the Miyoo Mini I have been looking for. Also unlike the Miyoo Mini it will have WiFI WLAN 802.11 b/g/n so I can connect to Retroachivements. That connection is a definite must on my EDC since the Miyoo Mini Plus. There appears to also be Bluetooth BT2.1 + EDR/4.2 which will be great for connecting peripherals.
Looking over the handheld images there are bumpers/triggers on the back along with a programmable button. That button will likely be like the FN button on the TSP most people didn’t understand how to use prior to the introduction of custom firmware. I see a 3.5mm hole for headphones, microSD hole to expand storage, Type-C hole for charging and maybe use as a data port for video out, a TrimUI branded button (likely a menu/home button) and dual speaker outlets (if I was to bet 8ohm 1w speakers). Other than that just a ridicules number of TrimUI branding logos that they somehow always seem to make look classy.
The size and power are about perfect for my pocket. I don’t need joysticks or a 4” screen on a handheld that I’ll be pulling out while waiting to pickup the kids or in the waiting room a the dentists office. The potential is all here as long as TrimUI sticks to their great build quality. TrimUI if you are listening I would love to review this for you.
I have done a few different reviews on the TrimUI Smart Pro with different firmware builds I’ll link here:
TrimUI Smart Pro w/ CrossMix OS: This is the one to get! | BEST Budget Handheld
Exclusive Look at TrimUI Smart Pro Beta4 Vulken Update
Why Everyone is Talking About this Sub $60 Premium Retro Handheld: TrimUI Smart Pro Review
NEW TrimUI Smart ‘Black Edition’ – Retro Handheld Review & CFW!!
What do you think about the TrimUI Smart Brick? Is this a handheld you are thinking about picking up?
I’ll be back with more information as it’s available.
GameOn
CellPhish
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