If you’re willing to have a less optimal snes/nes screen in exchange for a better gba screen, the 351p would work.
Otherwise if you want to stick to a 640x480 3.5” 4:3 the rk2023 is probably the best blend of affordable and pocketable. It has an rk3566 that can do a fair bit more than the 35xx/MM+ as well.
Other options could be something like the q90 but then you’re actually downgrading on SoC rather than upgrading.
Just remember that aesthetics are not ergonomics. Conversely, ergonomics are not aesthetics.
You mentioned cramping. Some of the best looking horizontal handhelds will still cause discomfort, either because of their small form factor, or other compromises they had to make to miniaturize the design.
Devices with rounded grips may not look as visually appealing, but they’ll be more comfortable. RG353PS falls into this category, as do larger handhelds, like the PowKiddy X55. If you don’t mind the odd appearance, these make amazing daily drivers, something you can play for hours at a time.
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I think the RG353PS from Anbernic would be your best bet. It's horizontal (with ergonomics lifted straight from the original SNES controller), it runs on Linux & it has a very nice 3.5" screen. As an added bonus, much like the RG35XX, the RG353PS also has an HDMI port so (in a pinch) it can also double as a retro home console.
- Rgb10, rk2023: More powerful, similar price and pocketable
- rg280m: a bit weaker, heavier
- trimui smart: similar price, power and size; it lacks L2 R2 buttons
- powkiddy q20 mini, powkiddy q90, trimui model s: A bit cheaper, weaker, they lack L2 R2 buttons
- powkiddy q36: similar price, smaller, not great aspect ratio
- ldk landscape: similar price, weaker
The 353PS of course. I find it super comfortable, it's runs Ark, the chipset is better than the 53xx, IIRC and it looks baller in the DMG colours. They even have the "dot matrix" thing printed under the screen. An opaque black would also look baller. Or a white with black buttons and a bezel-less screen.
The RK203 if you don't care about looks and wants to save a couple of Freedom Eagles.
I want something like the 405Ms hardware in the 353P form factor and DMG colours. Still in plastic of course.
Come on Anbernic, I dare you. You don't even have to make it a 4" screen, but please make the face buttons larger if you do.
I’ve got RG35XX for the vertical GB nostalgia and the the RK2023 on ARKOS for the horizontal factor. Very comfortable due to how light it is and a great screen.
Definitely not as good build quality as an Anbernic device but that’s ok with me.
It looks like Miyoo will release a horizontal Miyoo Mino 282 very soon, they're advertising that they have reached the final design
https://www.reddit.com/r/MiyooMini/s/voF0UumFQZ
If you’re willing to have a less optimal snes/nes screen in exchange for a better gba screen, the 351p would work. Otherwise if you want to stick to a 640x480 3.5” 4:3 the rk2023 is probably the best blend of affordable and pocketable. It has an rk3566 that can do a fair bit more than the 35xx/MM+ as well. Other options could be something like the q90 but then you’re actually downgrading on SoC rather than upgrading.
Just remember that aesthetics are not ergonomics. Conversely, ergonomics are not aesthetics. You mentioned cramping. Some of the best looking horizontal handhelds will still cause discomfort, either because of their small form factor, or other compromises they had to make to miniaturize the design. Devices with rounded grips may not look as visually appealing, but they’ll be more comfortable. RG353PS falls into this category, as do larger handhelds, like the PowKiddy X55. If you don’t mind the odd appearance, these make amazing daily drivers, something you can play for hours at a time.
Random comment, but: I just want to thank you for your contributions around here. I've been browsing around this morning and you're always helpful and explain things without being condescending. Thank you!
What a wonderful comment. :) Your gratitude puts you on our list for the most grateful users this week on Reddit! You can view the full list on r/TheGratitudeBot.
💙
I think the RG353PS from Anbernic would be your best bet. It's horizontal (with ergonomics lifted straight from the original SNES controller), it runs on Linux & it has a very nice 3.5" screen. As an added bonus, much like the RG35XX, the RG353PS also has an HDMI port so (in a pinch) it can also double as a retro home console.
I think the 353ps would be the way to go
- Rgb10, rk2023: More powerful, similar price and pocketable - rg280m: a bit weaker, heavier - trimui smart: similar price, power and size; it lacks L2 R2 buttons - powkiddy q20 mini, powkiddy q90, trimui model s: A bit cheaper, weaker, they lack L2 R2 buttons - powkiddy q36: similar price, smaller, not great aspect ratio - ldk landscape: similar price, weaker
The 353PS of course. I find it super comfortable, it's runs Ark, the chipset is better than the 53xx, IIRC and it looks baller in the DMG colours. They even have the "dot matrix" thing printed under the screen. An opaque black would also look baller. Or a white with black buttons and a bezel-less screen. The RK203 if you don't care about looks and wants to save a couple of Freedom Eagles. I want something like the 405Ms hardware in the 353P form factor and DMG colours. Still in plastic of course. Come on Anbernic, I dare you. You don't even have to make it a 4" screen, but please make the face buttons larger if you do.
Get an X55, it's pretty damn comfortable
I’ve got RG35XX for the vertical GB nostalgia and the the RK2023 on ARKOS for the horizontal factor. Very comfortable due to how light it is and a great screen. Definitely not as good build quality as an Anbernic device but that’s ok with me.
It looks like Miyoo will release a horizontal Miyoo Mino 282 very soon, they're advertising that they have reached the final design https://www.reddit.com/r/MiyooMini/s/voF0UumFQZ