A multitude of Android consoles are designed for retro-gaming and cloud gaming. Discover a new one, whose design will surely evoke fond memories.
The manufacturer Retroid is preparing to launch pre-orders for its new portable console, the Retroid Pocket Flip. Equipped with a foldable chassis (clamshell format), this pocket computer is reminiscent of the Nintendo DS which also folds up like a laptop PC. However, the Pocket Flip runs Android 11.
Positioned as a retro gaming machine, the Retroid Pocket Flip allows various titles from old consoles to be played through emulation. With apps such as Dolphin or My Boy!, available on the Google Play Store, you can play old retro games from Super Nintendo, Sega Mega Drive or Gameboy Advance. Technically, it can emulate PSP, GameCube and PS2 games. Thanks to its Android operating system, the Pocket Flip is also suitable for cloud gaming. You can install Game Pass (via Xbox Cloud Gaming) or Nvidia GeForce Now.
The 4.7-inch diagonal IPS screen, with an unusual definition of 1334 x 750 pixels (16:9 aspect ratio), displays games with a brightness of up to 450 cd / m², according to Retroid. The console is equipped with numerous controls to support a wide range of games: two flat analog sticks, four action buttons, “start” and “select” buttons, a digital directional pad, as well as four shoulder triggers located at the rear. There is also a micro HDMI port for external screens, a USB-C port, a micro SD card reader and a 3.5 mm jack.
The Retroid Pocket Flip is powered by a Unisoc T618 64-bit ARM processor, consisting of two Cortex-A75 cores and six Cortex-A55 cores, not to mention an ARM Mali-G52 MC2 GPU. The system also has 4GB of LPDDR4 RAM and 128GB of eMMC storage. This is the bare minimum, it allows you to run most emulators. The battery capacity is 5,000 mAh, which also explains the thickness of the console (25.4 mm and 170 grams). Obviously, there is Bluetooth 5.0 and Wi-Fi 5.
Ready. Set. Retro. pic.twitter.com/80y5yCbqFO
— Retroid Pocket Official (@Retroid0fficial) March 14, 2023
Count prices from 150 to 160 euros, presales are open. Note that Retroid is far from being a brand new player, this Pocket Flip incorporates some of the characteristics of the Pocket 3 Plus. Want a few reasons not to crack? Here is a list, it will allow you to avoid compulsive buying.
- We advise you to avoid presales and wait for full tests. This makes it possible to avoid certain disappointments such as delay and disappointment if the performances are not there;
- Although the console is compatible with many Android apps and emulators, some games may not work perfectly or have compatibility issues. Moreover, this format is not at all suitable for games that are played in portrait format;
- The unusual resolution of 1334 × 750 pixels (HD) could cause display problems for certain games or applications, and the 4.7-inch touchscreen can be considered too small;
- The Unisoc T618 processor is a mid-range choice for a gaming console. Performance may not be up to par for some resource-intensive games or for cloud gaming;
- As this is a console from a lesser-known manufacturer, software updates and technical support may be less responsive than from a more established brand.
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