Retroid, a well-known player in the retro gaming handheld market, has officially unveiled the full specifications of its latest device—the Retro Pocket Classic. The handheld, which has been teased multiple times over the past few months, embraces a compact, nostalgia-driven design while packing modern hardware under the hood.
A Compact Retro-Inspired Handheld with a High-End Display
The Retro Pocket Classic sports a 3.92-inch AMOLED display, a notable step up from traditional LCD panels found in many retro handhelds. With a resolution of 1,240 × 1,080 and a pixel density of 419 PPI, the display is expected to deliver crisp visuals, vibrant colors, and deep blacks. Additionally, it features a peak brightness of 500 nits, ensuring good visibility even in bright environments.
Powerful Internals for a Small Device
At the heart of the Pocket Classic is a mystery 4 nm Qualcomm SoC, which remains undisclosed for now. However, given Retroid’s history of using efficient yet powerful processors, expectations are high for solid performance in retro console emulation and even some light Android gaming. The processor is backed by 4 GB of LPDDR4X RAM and 64 GB of eMMC storage, with expandability available via a TF card slot.
To ensure sustained performance, the device includes an active cooling solution, a rare but welcome addition in compact handhelds. This should help in minimizing thermal throttling during extended gameplay sessions, a common issue in fanless handhelds.
Long Battery Life with Fast Charging
Battery life is always a major concern with handheld gaming devices, and Retroid has addressed this with a 5,000 mAh battery. The inclusion of 27-watt fast charging via USB-C means that even when the battery runs low, users won’t have to wait long before they can jump back into their games.
Lightweight and Portable Build
Weighing just 223 grams, the Pocket Classic is one of the lightest retro gaming handhelds on the market. Its compact dimensions of 13.8 × 8.9 × 2.6 cm make it highly portable, fitting comfortably in a pocket or small bag.
Connectivity and Software
In terms of connectivity, the Pocket Classic includes:
- USB-C port (likely for charging and data transfer)
- 3.5 mm audio jack for wired headphones and external speakers
- TF card slot for expandable storage
- Bluetooth 5.0 and Wi-Fi 5, ensuring solid wireless connectivity for cloud gaming, multiplayer, and controller support
The device will ship with Android 14 pre-installed, offering a modern and user-friendly interface with access to a wide variety of gaming and emulation apps.
Pricing and Availability
Retroid has yet to reveal pricing and availability details, though given the company’s track record, it is likely to fall into the budget-friendly category compared to other premium handhelds. More information is expected in the coming weeks as the company prepares for an official launch.
With its compact design, high-quality display, active cooling, and modern internals, the Retro Pocket Classic looks like a promising addition to the retro gaming handheld market. Whether it can stand out in an increasingly competitive space will depend on its final pricing and software optimization, but for now, it’s shaping up to be an exciting option for fans of portable gaming.
Source: Notebookcheck DE
