The time is finally here to order the Retroid Pocket Flip 2 and Pocket Classic. Both are great looking devices but maybe you have a couple of lingering questions.
To start if you got here looking for links to order these New handhelds I will put those links here at the top so you don’t need to read my ramblings:
Get the Retroid Pocket Classic
Alright now that we got that out of the way lets get into the Retroid Pocket Flip 2.
Flip 2 Snapdragon 865
The Flip 2 comes in 2 different version officially. Both with the same beautiful 5.5” 1080p AMOLED display at 500Nits. One with the Snapdragon SD865 found currently in the Retroid Pocket 5. This is an older CPU but don’t discount it too quickly. The SD865 with its Adreno 650 GPU allows for custom Turnip/Adreno drivers. This helps to fix graphical issues in emulation of things like Nintendo Switch, PlayStation Vita and even Winlater for emulating PC on this Android handheld.
Another advantage of the SD865 is the ability to dual-boot Linux on this SOC. There has already been good progress in Linux on the Pocket 5 allowing for a better emulation experience in some instances and a new experience in others. For instance, there is no good way to run XBox emulation on Adroid but with Linux you are able to emulate it with this SOC. The other great thing about Linux on the SD865 is that it doesn’t require a partition split as you can run it directly off a memory card.
Linux on the Pocket Flip 2 likely wont be available on day 1 as it will take some time to transfer from the Pocket 5, but I think it is safe to say this will be one of the first custom firmware options available. With Linux you are able to Emulate Playstation 3 and XBox, both systems that don’t have much Android support. If you are picking the Flip 2 up for Linux and a $10 savings doesn’t matter to you, it might not be a bad idea to wait on ordering your device until the device is in reviewer hands so you’ll know of any possible issues.
Flip 2 Dimensity 1100
The Flip 2 with the D1100 is going to be a more economic option. Coming in at $30 less than the SD865 option with a newer SOC. That is mostly the end of the story. The only person I can imagine this option is for is someone who currently has the Retroid Pocket 4 Pro and absolutely loves the way it performs and doesn’t want the experience to improve at all. That and if the $30 barrier to entry is just too much. I have been there and understand. That said like I stated about the SD865 , you don’t have to order now and I would recommend waiting until reviews are in. This possibly gives you some time to save the difference and get into the handheld that is going to grow with you and not already done growing now.
Pocket Classic
This is a handheld that really seems to be taking the best of the Analog Pocket and Ayaneo Pocket DMG. What does that mean, well we don’t exactly know. Included is the 1080*1240 AMOLED display at 500Nits. The Classic is releasing with a new SOC from Qualcomm that was literally announced yesterday. The Snapdragon G1 Gen2 looks to be an entry level SOC positioned for streaming devices. There really is no way to test performance until we get this handheld in hand and keep in mind we also don’t know if the RAM is going to make a difference either. I bring up RAM because the Classic comes in 2 RAM variants 4GB/6GB LPDDR4X@2133MHz.
One thing that has been a headscrather with these bigger players making Retro Handhelds is they tend to be overpowered. For example there was no reason for Ayaneo to put a Helio G99 in the SOC in the Pocket Micro or a Snapdragon G3X G2 in the Pocket DMG. Again we wont know until testing is complete but with the lack of joysticks on this vertical handheld I don’t think that is going to be an issue here. Once you get past PS1 emulation it gets ever more difficult to emulate games without the sticks the systems came with. But…
Retroid is also dropping another option for the Pocket Classic. Though it only comes in one color at launch (DMG) there will be a 6 button option. It just dawned on me that the 6 button should be Sega black because Nintendo never made a 6 button. This is going go be great for anyone who likes fighting games or just wants something different than the typical 4 button vertical handheld everyone is making. I would imagine you will see those who are really into this hobby be the first to order the 6 button.
What to buy
What you buy is really going to depend on you. These are two vastly different handhelds really catering to two very different types of audience. If you like that traditional Gameboy like vertical handheld I think the Retroid Pocket Classic is likely going to make you feel right at home. Then there are the early adopters who want something different with decent power, the ability to tinker and a Flip style handheld. Flip devices are all the rage in phones so that could easily be you.
I can’t make the decision for you, I can only provide you the info. If you are having a hard time deciding I’m sorry and you should order the bundle and get both. It’s always nice to save money and when you are spending hundreds of dollars even an extra $10 is nice to take off that total. Then you will have a couple weeks to setup the devices before ordering the next best thing.
There is also the option to order the Retroid Pocket 5 and Pocket Mini that came out mere months ago. The mini has had some controversy around running shaders (which I personally don’t use anyways but sympathize with those that do) which is a great 4:3 handheld and the Pocket 5 has gotten a lot of community love since release now giving you the option to run Linux to play PS3 and XBox.
Spoiler…
Now that we have gone through info to hopefully help you make a decision which new Retroid handheld to pickup, Qualcomm is throwing us a curve ball. During the Qualcomm Snapdragon presentation at GDC they were nice enough to announce for Retroid that there is a future device agreement for an unannounced Flagship Retroid Handheld. This could easily be the Retroid Pocket 6 or something completely different. If it is the Pocket 6 I really hope that Retroid learned there lesson after releasing the Retroid Pocket 3+ what felt like weeks (I think it was actually totally like 2 months) after the Retroid Pocket 3 released. Assuming they did learn there lesson it will be about 9-10 months before we see a Pocket 6 so maybe it is something new I am really going to want.
Once I learn more you know I’ll post about it here.
Order Retroid Pocket Flip 2/Classic
Get the Retroid Pocket Classic
Also checkout the Retroid Pocket 5 and Pocket Mini
Checkout the Retroid Pocket Mini
Which Retroid Pocket handheld are you picking up? Or maybe I should say which Retroid handhelds are you picking up?
I’ll update you with anything new I learn.
GameOn
CellPhish
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