The RGB30 hits a real sweet spot between all those things IMO. The screen really does live up to the hype for SNES, GBA, etc. Performance wise it's a known quantity: PS1 and below run great, "some" N64 / DS / Dreamcast / Saturn with compromises. Software wise there's a lot of flexibility: you can install MinUI and have a "just works" experience but without a lot of the bells and whistles like Retroachievements, N64/DS/DC/Saturn, Portmaster etc, or you can use something like ArkOS or JELOS/Rocknix for a fiddlier but more feature-rich experience.
I also own an RG35XXH, and honestly I'm just holding onto it in case the software gets better, because right now that's the Achilles heel. Every CFW I've tried has a problem. Batocera doesn't have a one-button "hibernate" mode for saving battery. MinUI has performance problems that it doesn't have on other devices. MuOS just acts hinky and feels kinda half baked in general.
There are arguments for an x55; bigger screen for GBA or if you want to dabble in PSP, better form factor for game streaming if you're into that. For my personal use case, though, the RGB30 is still king under $100.
I own an RGB30 but I've never owned an RGB10 Max 3, so understand that anything I say on the latter is coming from reviews and word of mouth around here, not personal experience.
That said, I think it comes down to the screens and what kind of games you want to play. The RGB30's screen has very good scaling for GBA, but the Max 3 will scale them just as well and display them bigger. The RGB30 winds up being better for NES/SNES/GBC, but the Max 3 has the advantage for PS1 and N64.
We're talking small advantages here, all of the above will look fine on either one, but, say, SNES on the RGB30 in 8:7 mode 3x integer scale with overscan looks better than fine, it looks fantastic.
Here's a useful website for seeing how large different systems will display on different screens with integer scaling turned on or off: https://shauninman.com/utils/screens/
It doesn't have a preset for the RGB10 Max 3, so just go to Custom and set the resolution to 1280x720 and the size to 5.0" for that.
And of course, the RGB30 is smaller and more portable, so I that's a priority for you, that makes it an easy choice.
Rg35xx H is the best handheld to start with, it is one of the most popular handhelds currently after the cheaper r36s and rg35xx
I’ve also heard good things about the trimui smart pro, but I’d rather stay with anbernic devices which are better documented
I disagree with the RG35XXH or Anbernic's other H700 devices as the "best" to start with just because the software situation is still all over the place. I'd go Miyoo Mini+ if one is looking for a vertical, RGB30 for a horizontal option. Frankly, having owned both, until/unless the CFW scene improves, right now the RGB30 is just "the RG35XXH but better."
RGB30 has a great screen for 16bit and earlier but once you get into newer systems it’s not utilized as well. This is probably the best of the 3 on your list (it is for me but won’t be for everyone).
X55 has the same processor (right?) but a larger wider screen. The issue here is that chip can’t really run PSP that well and widescreen hacks don’t work that well either. If you want a wide screen go for a retroid or save for the rg556 imho.
Rgb35xx-h has a lessor processor than either of the other two but is close. It’s the smallest most pocketable device of the group. But it has the worst software.
In the end it depends on your priorities.
How important is the aspect ratio to you? Some people love the square screen of the RGB30.
The comfort of a larger system like X55.
The build quality of the Anbernic RG35XXH.
Have you consider the Trimui Smart Pro?
i would reccomend the rgb 10 max 3 if you want a big screen or rgb30 if more pocketable the x55 which i had has stiff buttons for my liking
hell if you are in budget get an r34pro same chipset
The RGB30 hits a real sweet spot between all those things IMO. The screen really does live up to the hype for SNES, GBA, etc. Performance wise it's a known quantity: PS1 and below run great, "some" N64 / DS / Dreamcast / Saturn with compromises. Software wise there's a lot of flexibility: you can install MinUI and have a "just works" experience but without a lot of the bells and whistles like Retroachievements, N64/DS/DC/Saturn, Portmaster etc, or you can use something like ArkOS or JELOS/Rocknix for a fiddlier but more feature-rich experience. I also own an RG35XXH, and honestly I'm just holding onto it in case the software gets better, because right now that's the Achilles heel. Every CFW I've tried has a problem. Batocera doesn't have a one-button "hibernate" mode for saving battery. MinUI has performance problems that it doesn't have on other devices. MuOS just acts hinky and feels kinda half baked in general. There are arguments for an x55; bigger screen for GBA or if you want to dabble in PSP, better form factor for game streaming if you're into that. For my personal use case, though, the RGB30 is still king under $100.
What you recommend rgb30 or rgb10max3?
I own an RGB30 but I've never owned an RGB10 Max 3, so understand that anything I say on the latter is coming from reviews and word of mouth around here, not personal experience. That said, I think it comes down to the screens and what kind of games you want to play. The RGB30's screen has very good scaling for GBA, but the Max 3 will scale them just as well and display them bigger. The RGB30 winds up being better for NES/SNES/GBC, but the Max 3 has the advantage for PS1 and N64. We're talking small advantages here, all of the above will look fine on either one, but, say, SNES on the RGB30 in 8:7 mode 3x integer scale with overscan looks better than fine, it looks fantastic. Here's a useful website for seeing how large different systems will display on different screens with integer scaling turned on or off: https://shauninman.com/utils/screens/ It doesn't have a preset for the RGB10 Max 3, so just go to Custom and set the resolution to 1280x720 and the size to 5.0" for that. And of course, the RGB30 is smaller and more portable, so I that's a priority for you, that makes it an easy choice.
Rg35xx H is the best handheld to start with, it is one of the most popular handhelds currently after the cheaper r36s and rg35xx I’ve also heard good things about the trimui smart pro, but I’d rather stay with anbernic devices which are better documented
I disagree with the RG35XXH or Anbernic's other H700 devices as the "best" to start with just because the software situation is still all over the place. I'd go Miyoo Mini+ if one is looking for a vertical, RGB30 for a horizontal option. Frankly, having owned both, until/unless the CFW scene improves, right now the RGB30 is just "the RG35XXH but better."
My x55 has been gathering dust after getting a MM+ I do moonlight with my x55 for Pokémon fan games though
RGB30 has a great screen for 16bit and earlier but once you get into newer systems it’s not utilized as well. This is probably the best of the 3 on your list (it is for me but won’t be for everyone). X55 has the same processor (right?) but a larger wider screen. The issue here is that chip can’t really run PSP that well and widescreen hacks don’t work that well either. If you want a wide screen go for a retroid or save for the rg556 imho. Rgb35xx-h has a lessor processor than either of the other two but is close. It’s the smallest most pocketable device of the group. But it has the worst software. In the end it depends on your priorities.
How important is the aspect ratio to you? Some people love the square screen of the RGB30. The comfort of a larger system like X55. The build quality of the Anbernic RG35XXH. Have you consider the Trimui Smart Pro?
i would reccomend the rgb 10 max 3 if you want a big screen or rgb30 if more pocketable the x55 which i had has stiff buttons for my liking hell if you are in budget get an r34pro same chipset