GKD Pixel 2: How to Order NOW!!

The GKD Pixel was one of the most affordable premium pocketable Retro Handhelds in 2024. It also became one of the hardest handhelds to get a hold of. With its All Metal design down to the buttons and micro form factor the Pixel really sits in a category all of its own.

Now GKD is launching the Pixel 2. We recently learned of its existence and I wrote about my initial thoughts here. It didn’t take long for more information to come to light about the Pixel 2 after the initial images emerged and now it is available for Pre-Order over on MechDIY. [Pre-Order the GKD Pixel 2 here use code: RetroSpecd16 $ave money and also get Free Shipping!] 

Here is what we know about the GKD Pixel 2 so far:

OS: Linux IUX2.5/Rocknix

Screen: 2.4” 640×480 IPS Display 

CPU:RK3326S quad-core 1.5Hz

GPU:

RAM: 1GB? (unverified)

SD: 64GB included

Battery: 1800 mAh

Charge: 5A2V Fast Charging

I/O: Dual USB Type-C, Vibration, OTG Controller

This is only the second handheld I can remember stated to be releasing with the Rockchip RK3326S. This SOC is an overclocked version of the popular RK3326 hence the ‘S’. The last handheld that was supposed to use this SOC was the MagicX XU10. We later learned that  even with all their attempts to convince us that the  handheld had the overclocked version of the chipset it actually was not. This community digs deep into these handhelds through modding and custom firmware so advertising the incorrect SOC can be brand ending. I think every manufacturer (except for MagicX as they advertised the incorrect chipset on their next handheld the XU mini M as well) learned from this or at least I hope they have. GKD has a good reputation so I expect this will be correct. 

There will be 4 colors at launch: Green, Purple, Red and Grey. There also appears to be a limited batch release color as well. Unlike the Eva Purple with Green buttons we saw on the limited Pixel the Pixel 2 appears to have a Yellow variant with Green and Red accents. 

I was honestly hoping the display would be bigger than 2.4”s and a higher resolution than the same old 640×480. There have been a lot of good screens this year and after my daily pocket handheld became the TrimUI Brick with its 3.2” 1024×768 IPS display a couple of months ago, I think it might be difficult to go back. The screen is however twice the original GKD Pixel resolution which was 320x 240 at 2.4”s. The new Pixel 2 does look a little stubby in the images which had me imagining a larger screen.

The battery has increased in size from 1300mAh to 1800mAh. This is a welcome addition. Not that the Pixel had bad battery life but the addition of a higher resolution screen and more powerful CPU is going to sip a little bit more power.

The dimensions of the Pixel 2 are 63x81x17mm compared to the original Pixel at 80x56x18mm. This does create that almost squashed look but I think it still has sexy vibes. This should actually make it narrower and taller so my eyes are deceiving me.

The Pixel used 128mb of RAM so I can only imagine that the Pixel 2 will have more RAM using the newer SOC. I haven’t been able to find this information anywhere and according to the Rockchip data sheet the RAM is external off chip and speeds can be DRR3/DDR3L/DDR4/LPDDR2/LPDDR3. The SOC maxes out at 4GB of RAM but I’m assuming we will see 1GB of RAM in the Pixel 2. That seems to be the overwhelmingly used RAM in Retro Handheld devices rocking the RK3326. I don’t think overclocking will require more but in emulation a lot of success is due to brute force. So the more the merrier. 

The price of the GKD Pixel 2 is coming in at $89.99 pre-sale. If you want to pickup the Pixel 2 and save some money Use This Link enter code: RetroSpecd16 at checkout. This will bring the price down to $75.60 and has free shipping. 

All in, this should be a more powerful GKD Pixel with twice the display resolution of the original. I’m very excited about this release. I’ll work on getting a unit to review and follow-up with my findings. Hopefully there will be more availability so I’m not afraid to leave the house with it this time around. 

What do you think about this GKD Pixel 2? What color are you going to order?

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