As expected Anbernic has announced the NEW RG34xxSP and it’s nothing like we thought!
The wait is over, Anbernic’s official announcement for the upcoming RG34xxSP handheld can be found on the Anbernic YouTube page.
There are a few curve balls here that I wasn’t expecting. I recently posted what we had been hearing about Anbernic’s RG34xxSP since January. This is a follow-up to the RG35xxSP with a 3.4” 720-x480 3:2 IPS display.
Display
One of the complains about the RG35xxSP has been the display not being a 3:2 aspect ratio like the GBA SP. It’s understandable and Anbernic addressed this with an overlay that put a digital version of the Gameboy Advance logo on the screen to shore it up. It looks pretty good in my opinion. Anbernic listened and as I posted on previously they are using a display that will be 3X picture-perfect for GBA (from the RG34xx).
Size
The problem is, we also expected the handheld to be the size of the GBA SP. This is one thing Miyoo got right with the Flip. You can put a Miyoo Flip and GBA SP next to each other and it’s very difficult to see any size difference. It looks like the RG34xxSP has the same exterior shell as the RG35xxSP just with a smaller screen. There are such big bezels!
Unexpected Addition
The other curve ball Anbernic tossed at us is the addition of dual joysticks. After all that pointing at the joysticks on the Miyoo Flip being silly, it looks like the RG34xxSP is a bigger handheld with similar joysticks to the Flip. I’m scared that these joysticks will have cardinal snapping.
I don’t want to judge these decisions prior to getting my hands on the handheld but my initial thought is…why? Less systems use the 3:2 aspect ratio that is on the new RG34xxSP. If they were going to add sticks they should have stuck to the RG35xxSP and made it a “Plus” with sticks. So many systems for those sticks are going to look better on a 4:3 display.
What SOC?
The other thing we are still waiting on is what CPU is in the RG34xxSP. We have been told all year the delays in Anbernic’s tri-weekly releases has been the changing of SOCs. I’ve long speculated that an SOC change is slowing down AnbernicOS firmware integration. Anbernic after years of work has the best OEM Linux firmware for its handhelds out of the major brands.
An SOC change would require an entire revamp of the AnbernicOS and would explain the delays. The specs on the RG34xxSP look a lot like what has been found with the H700 they used all of 2024. The only glaring difference is the listing of 5G WiFi vs 2.4/5G WiFi. The specs here seem less capable.
I hope I’m wrong about the SOC but both have Bluetooth 4.2, HDMI out and support for 30+ platforms. It leaves me wondering if they decided they were falling behind and instead of getting there new SOC to work, they just started adding things like joysticks to their old handhelds.
Known Specs:
- System: Linux 64bit
- Display: 3.4” full fit IPS
- Resolution: 720×480 3:2 3X Picture-perfect GBA
- Processor: ?
- GPU: ?
- RAM: ?
- Storage: ?
- WiFi: 5G WiFi
- Audio: Single Horn, 3.5mm
- I/O: USB-C, HDMI, BT 4.2, 3.5mm
- Battery: ?
- Storage:?
(I’ll try and remember to come back and update the specs once they are fully released.)
Color Options
The Anbernic RG34xxSP will release in 4 colors, none of which are colors the GBA SP came in (I could be wrong, I’m sure you’ll let me know). You can see them above. We have Yellow, Black, Grey and Indigo. It honestly looks like Anbernic color matched the Retroid Pocket Flip 2 colorways plus bright yellow. Because the Miyoo Flip yellow is a bit icky. I kinda wish they would have taken Miyoo’s initial colors prior to the Flip launch, they were great.
So that’s what we know as of this post. Check back for an update very soon. If you are impatient you can check Anbernic’s Official Blog as they will give us an update there soon.
GameOn
CellPhish
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