Anbernic’s NEW Budget brand has the only release in 2025 so far with the BATLEXP G350. I have so many questions about this brand and so many hopes at the same time.
Who is BATLEXP
If you aren’t familiar with BATLEXP (trademarked BatleXP December 2024) don’t worry you aren’t the only one. You really need to be deep in the weeds in the Retro Handheld scene to know what is going on here. The emulation collection detectives did some digging and the findings have been unexpected.
BATLEXP released a new handheld recently called the G350. This is a RK3326 devices that by most accounts is a higher quality R36S. Pricing, form factor, SOC and available features are some of the things that make these handhelds similar. Yet somehow this “new” companies first handheld release feels like the Anbernic RG353V/VS and a RG351V had a baby.
The RG353V/VS does come with the more powerful RK3566 SOC and front firing speaker however the RG351V uses the same RK3326 SOC as the G350. The RG353VS is actually the device that Game Console cloned to make the popular budget R36S handheld, bringing down the power to bring down the price. This new G350 has seemingly trumped Game Consoles efforts using their same formula with Anbernic’s original parts.
Anbernic Connection
The shell of the G350 feels unmistakably Anbernic. The plastics used and body lines down to the 90deg corner on the left side and rounded lower corner on the right. If you were looking at the back of the Anbernic RG40XXV and the BATLEXP G350 you would be hard pressed to pick out the differences. But that isn’t all that feels Anbernic.
The BATLEXP G350 is also using the same buttons, display, D-Pad, joysticks and membranes from the Anbernic devices. This is part of the device that can take all question out of exactly who is manufacturing the handheld. Anbernic is especially known for their DPads. Here we seem to have the D-Pad from and of a number of Anbernic handhelds. Which is one of Anbernics micro handhelds.
The only noticeable differences from the RG353V/VS are the less powerful RK3326 SOC, downward firing speaker and updated back buttons. One would imagine if Anbernic was creating a budget line of handhelds to clear out old inventory there would have to be some intentional differences. They obviously don’t want to start undercutting their own premium handhelds. The mashup also feels like they are trying to clear out inventory from multiple legacy handhelds.
Distribution
A recent update as I have been writing this post all but grantees the BatleXP is Anbernic’s, it appears they have started distributing G350 review units to their current list of reviewers. I received my unit from ToRetro so they are ahead of the curve as usual on this one release. (Info below on how to pick one up).
If that all isn’t enough there is also the instance of a Retro Handhelds discord user receiving their BATLEXP G350 with an Anbernic bussiness card in the box. I’m not sure how it got there but it does give additional credibility to Anbernic’s involvement with the project. It actually kind of buttons up the whole situation.
FrankenHandheld
Let’s try and put the G350 together from shelf parts:
Display: OG RG35XX
SOC: RG351
D-Pad: RG35XX
Joysticks: RG353V/VS
Shoulders/Triggers: RG40XXV
Body/Design: Vertical Anbernic
Materials: unmistakably Anbernic
Membranes: XX series devices
In conclusion I personally don’t think there is any question that the BATLEXP G350 is an Anbernic handheld under a different name. There is just far too much that points directly to it.
If you are interested in picking up the Anbernic BATLEXP G350 click here. Save 10% with code: RetroSpecd
At the time of posting Anbernic is having a big Anniversary Sale. Checkout Anbernic here if you are invested.
What are your thoughts on the G350 and Anbernic releasing a Retro Handheld under a different brand?
I’m working on my BATLEXP G350 review now so watch for that. Hint, it doesn’t suck. When I learn more I’ll keep you posted.
GameOn
CellPhish
This article may contain affiliate links. If you use these links to purchase an item I may earn a commission which comes at no additional cost to you and supports future content.
