Phones are great and all, but sometimes you want some actual buttons. We created this guide to showcase our personal choices for the best Android gaming handhelds. We go over the important stuff, such as specs, what the console does, and what it can run. Some are designed with retro gaming in mind, some are from big names, there are small and big specs available, so take a peek and see if any catch your eye.
Best Android Gaming Handhelds
Let’s crack on with our list!
Odin 2 MAX
What’s not to love about the AYN Odin? Well, the Odin 2 brings even fancier specs to the table with its MAX version, which will plough through pretty much any Android game going, and take on emulation as well.
- Qualcomm Kyro 64bit
- Adreno 740
- 16GB RAM
- 512GB Storage
- 1920 x 1080 6” LCD Touchscreen Display
- 8000mAh Battery w/ 65W Quick Charge 5.0
- Android 13
- WiFi7 + BT 5.3
- Active Cooling
The AYN Odin 2 Pro can also emulate GameCube and PS2 titles, as well as a wide range of 128-bit games.
The only downside we can see is that, unlike its predecessor, the Odin, the Odin 2 isn’t able to run Windows, or certainly not as easily as before. The original Odin is still available, though, so if Windows is a priority, then fill your boots.
There’s now also the Odin 2 Portal, which brings a curved touchscreen, 4kp60 video output, and up to 1TB of storage to the table as a new upgrade.
GPD XP Plus
This one’s a special one. The GPD XP has swappable peripherals for the right-hand side, making it easier than ever to customise your emulation experience. That sounds great, but what are the specs?
- MediaTek Dimensity 1200 Octa-Core CPU
- Arm Mali-G77 MC9 GPU
- 6GB LPDDR4X RAM
- 6.81″ IPS Touch LCD Screen with Gorilla Glass
- 7000mAh Battery
- Supports up to 2TB microSD.
- Active Cooling
The GPD XP is brilliant for those of you who want to play a wide variety of games, from Android to the PS2, and even the Nintendo GameCube. It’s important to note that this console is on the pricier side, but with the addition of peripheral customisation, we can’t really argue with it. It’s a powerful device, with amazing capabilities.
ABERNIC RG353P
Abernic RG353P is a sturdy, retro-style handheld console – perfect for those who love retro gaming. It’s even got a mini-HDMI port! The weight of the console makes it feel like a premium piece of technology. With 2 SD card slots and a headphone jack, you can enjoy portable gaming to the fullest. The resemblance to the SNES is fantastic, but what are the specs?
- RK3566 Quad-core 64-bit Cortex-A55 1.8ghz CPU
- 2GB DDR4 RAM
- Android 32GB/Linux 16GB (expandable)
- 3.5” IPS 640 x 480 Touchscreen Display
- 3500MAH Battery
- Android 11/Linux
- Support for TF Card up to 512GB
- Wi-Fi and Bluetooth
The Abernic RG353P also has a dual boot for Linux and Android 11 – perfect! Not only can it handle Android games brilliantly, but you can also enjoy classics from the N64, PS1, and PSP.
Retroid Pocket 5
The newest in the Retroid series, out just this November, the Retroid 5 is a little bigger than its previous versions, but comes with a considerable upgrade to specs, and some snazzy Nintendo-esque colorways that should look right at home if you’re emulating.
Let’s go over the specs:
- CPU: Snapdragon 865 1[email protected] 3[email protected] 4*[email protected]
- Adreno 650 GPU
- 8GB LPDDR4 RAM 2133MHz
- 128GB Storage + TF Card Slot
- 5.5” 1080p AMOLED Screen
- 5000mAh Battery
- Wi-Fi 6 & Bluetooth 5.1
- Active Cooling
Logitech G Cloud
We’re big fans of the Logitech G Cloud’s design. The sleek model with comfortable ergonomic hand grips makes gaming an absolute pleasure. Despite the slim size, it’s still one of the most powerful Android handhelds. While the overall design isn’t as retro as its competitors, the more modern look is incredibly pretty. It may look great, but what are the specs?
- Qualcomm Snapdragon 720G Octa-core CPU up to 2.3GHz
- 64GB Storage
- 7” 1920 x 1080p 16:9 IPS LCD Display 60Hzz
- Rechargeable Li-Polymer Battery, 23.1 watt-h
It runs Android games amazingly well, and it can even handle Diablo Immortal with the Snapdragon 720 processor – brilliant! With the device relying on cloud gaming, it’s easier than ever to hop in and out of games during your free time. The screen is also gorgeous, allowing you to enjoy your favourite Android games with high-quality visuals.
You can buy the Logitech G Cloud on the official website!
Want something to play on the best Android gaming handhelds? Well look no further than our best new Android games this week. …or emulate. You can do that too.
