The AYN Odin 2 Portal is the device for those who find the Steam Deck too big but the Retroid Pocket 6 too small. The 7-inch 1080p 120Hz OLED screen is the largest and highest-resolution panel in its peer group. It is closest to the Steam Deck OLED in specifications, but in a more compact and lighter chassis.

AYN offers official Linux support. The Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chip is more powerful than the 865 in the Retroid Pocket 5 and Flip 2, which translates to smoother Switch emulation and higher resolution scaling for PS2 and GameCube. The 8,000mAh battery is the largest in its class, even larger than the featured Anbernic RG556.

The AYN Odin 2 Portal goes as far as an Android handheld can go without becoming a Steam Deck. The 7-inch 120Hz OLED screen is the largest and most beautiful screen in this entire list, and the only device where, upon turning it on, you think: this isn't really a handheld anymore, this is a mini-monitor. A hefty piece of equipment, then.

The 3D-curved glass on the front gives it a premium smartphone look. The back features a material quality befitting the price. The weight is noticeable but well distributed across the wide grips.

The analog sticks are higher than on the Odin 2 and offer more range of motion, providing more precise input for games that require it. Triggers and bumpers are of good quality. The d-pad and ABXY are consistent and otherwise offer no surprises.

The Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 provides power that does justice to the large screen: Switch emulation, PS2, and GameCube at increased resolutions. The 8,000 mAh battery is the largest on this list and provides a realistic eight to ten hours of retro content. Please note: Switch emulation is possible, but not all games run 100% perfectly.

Why buy it now?

If a large screen and premium build quality are top priorities, and you are willing to pay for that extra screen size, the Portal is the most compelling premium Chinese handheld in the segment. This is the device for those who understand that bigger is sometimes simply better.

The RG556 is Anbernic's answer to the "big-screen Android" category. It features a 5.48-inch AMOLED display in a wide, comfortable chassis with real grips and a Unisoc T820 processor. Some GameCube and PS2 games run at 2x native resolution. The 5,000mAh battery provides ample playtime and is the reason this device is larger and thicker than its competitors.

The RG556 runs Android by default, but custom firmware ROCKNIX is available for those who want to go the Linux route. The handheld's ergonomics are its strong point: larger and wider grips and a wide chassis that feels like a real console gamepad. It is less pocketable than the Retroid line, but more comfortable for longer sessions. The RG556 is the largest and widest handheld on this list, and you feel that immediately when holding it. The grips are substantial and offer real grip, not a suggested bulge, and the 5.48-inch AMOLED completely dominates the front. In short, a big boy.

The AMOLED screen is bright, colorful, and has the deep black levels that show off retro pixel art well. It is the best screen Anbernic has put in a handheld, and it justifies the larger size.

The layout is horizontal with an Xbox-like feel. Analog sticks, D-pad, ABXY, triggers, and bumpers are all present and of good quality. The Unisoc T820 power is palpable with PS2 and GameCube emulation. If you want much higher performance, you might have to choose a different handheld.

The 5,500 mAh battery is substantial. Eight to ten hours of gaming, especially retro games, is realistic. For a device you use on the couch for extended sessions, that is exactly what you want. The downside is clear: this device doesn't fit in a pocket and isn't meant to be taken on trips. It is a uh... couch emulator, a home station, a device you reach for when you want to play seriously.

Why buy it now?

If you want a handheld that feels like a real console gamepad, the longest battery life in its class, and consider pocketability less important than ergonomics. This is the most mature couch-style emulator in the Android category.

The Retroid Pocket 5 features a powerful Snapdragon 865, a beautiful 5.5-inch 1080p AMOLED display, and enough power for PS2 and GameCube. It runs Android by default, but the transformation begins with a microSD card. Download the Batocera image, flash it with Balena Etcher, insert the card, and hold down the volume button while booting up. That is it. Seconds later, you are in a clean Linux emulation environment.

All systems are integrated into the same controller-friendly interface. The box art scrapes itself, themes are customizable, and it feels like a retro console rather than a phone with buttons. The Android installation remains untouched on the internal memory: you can always switch.

The Retroid Pocket 5 is a device that understands you the moment you hold it. The grips are ergonomic, the weight is well distributed, and the 5.5-inch AMOLED screen dominates the front in a way that immediately impresses. It is a beautiful device. The screen helps with this: 1080p AMOLED with deep black levels, vibrant colors, and brightness that is convincing even in well-lit rooms. Retro pixel art on this screen is a visual treat. The active cooling keeps the temperature pleasant during longer sessions.

Additionally, the Hall-effect sticks are precise and do not drift during normal use (are you listening, Nintendo?). The D-pad and ABXY are of consistent quality. The analog triggers respond linearly and are pleasant for racing games and shooters.

The 5,000 mAh battery lasts six to seven hours with average use. On retro 2D content, that is even more.

Note: the Retroid Pocket 5 can handle Switch emulation, but many games will not perform optimally. You buy this handheld primarily for emulation up to and including Wii U.

Why buy it now?

For those who want Android hardware but wish to skip the Android layer itself, a twenty-minute setup is a reasonable price for a permanently quieter and faster experience on powerful Snapdragon hardware. If you still just want to get started with Android, Retroid guides you through it quite smoothly, thanks to the nice wizard.

There is one system that was the black sheep of emulation for years: the Nintendo DS and 3DS. Two screens, a touchscreen, a microphone. No single-screen device could mimic that painlessly. You always had to adjust something, slide screens side by side onto a panel that was too small, or accept that half of the interface simply didn't work.

The AYN Thor solves that problem in the only way that works with just two real screens. A 6-inch 120Hz AMOLED at the top, and a 3.92-inch AMOLED at the bottom. MelonDS (retro emulator for Nintendo DS) works straight out of the box: load your game and both screens automatically display the correct DS view. No overlay hacks, no shrunken windows, no compromise. And it looks fantastic. With upscaling that can go up to seven times!

But the Thor doesn't stop at DS and 3DS. The Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 runs PS2, GameCube, Wii, and PSP flawlessly. Even Nintendo Switch, though not always 100% perfectly. The two screens are useful for much more than just Nintendo handhelds. They ensure you never have to worry about the right aspect ratio for anything again. And you can do even more cool things. How about a PlayStation 1 or 2 game on the top screen and a walkthrough on the bottom one? Maybe you even want to play that walkthrough via YouTube. That is all possible.

The grip

The grips are ergonomic and provide enough grip for longer sessions. The buttons are of good quality with a superb, consistent D-pad, precise sticks, and well-functioning analog triggers. The hinge between the two screens is the most complex part of the design, and it feels stable during normal use. We have seen few problems in this regard. However, people have complained about the grip during prolonged use. In that case, the design can feel a bit heavy and cutting. Fortunately, various grips are available for this purpose.

The battery lasts four to five hours with intensive dual-screen use. That is less than a handheld with a single screen, but for a device that finally does justice to the DS and 3DS, it is a very acceptable compromise.

Do you want to switch to Linux for slightly better input registration? Then ROCKNIX is available via SD card. This starts with flashing the DScard, which you then insert into the Thorn, set your button combination once at startup, and you are in a clean Linux emulation environment without an Android layer. A situation that closely resembles a pure handheld from Nintendo or Sony in terms of ease of use and input registration. ROCKNIX now also supports Steam on selected Qualcomm handhelds, enabling native Linux games and some Windows games via Proton. In short, lots of possibilities as well.

Why buy it now?

For the DS and 3DS, there is simply no better way to play those systems on any other device. If you ever owned a DS or 3DS and want to rediscover that library on hardware that does it justice—two real screens, sharp AMOLED panels, modern power—then the Thor is the only device that combines that offering. It fills a gap that nothing else fills.

The AYN Odin 2 is for those who prioritize console ergonomics. The Xbox-style layout with offset sticks is familiar to anyone accustomed to a classic gamepad. The Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 is more powerful than the 865 found in the Retroid Pocket 5 and Retroid Flip 2, which translates to somewhat smoother Switch emulation and higher resolution scaling for PS2 and GameCube.

ROCKNIX dev-builds are also available for the AYN Odin to get the native Linux experience. AYN offers official Linux support via its own firmware builds. Owners describe it as the best Android handheld in terms of size, battery, feel, and performance. Even PC games are natively playable via Winlator. In short, quite a beast.

The AYN Odin 2 seems to have taken a close look at an Xbox controller and put it in a handheld. That sounds simplistic, but it explains exactly why it fits so well in the hand for anyone accustomed to a classic gamepad. The offset sticks, the wide grips, the position of the triggers and bumpers: it all feels familiar.

• The build quality is a step up from most Chinese handhelds. The plastic is sturdy and has a matte finish that provides grip. The 6-inch screen is large, but the weight is well distributed across the grips, preventing it from feeling top-heavy. The analog sticks are precise, the triggers have analog response, and the D-pad is good enough for 2D content. ABXY buttons are of consistent quality. Finally, the active cooling keeps the temperature manageable during longer sessions.
• The Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 power is palpable: Sega Saturn, PS2, GameCube—it all runs smoothly.
• The battery lasts six to seven hours with average use. Combined with ROCKNIX or AYN Linux, this device provides a mature Linux emulation experience on hardware that can handle a lot. Please note: Switch emulation is possible, but not all games run perfectly.

Why buy it now?

If gamepad ergonomics and maximum emulation capabilities are your ideals and you want to keep the option open to switch to Linux, then this is a very good choice.