Anbernic RG40XXV Review: So Much to Love

I have to give Anbernic credit, even though I agree with many others who are a little weary of the sheer volume of handhelds being produced. The RG40XXV shows that the corporation is doing something entirely new, even though it is the cause of a lot of that tiredness.

Anbernic is spreading the love rather than focusing on a single market niche. Did you desire a small, portable device that had a lot of juice? Take the RG28XX. Would you prefer a more recent iteration of the GBA SP? The RG35XX SP is almost flawless. Did you want a vertical handheld but were captivated by the RG40XXH? Now for the RG40XXV.

The RG40XXH was supposed to be the final Anbernic handheld with a H700 power source. Anbernic, however, had other plans when the RG40XXV—complete with the H700 in tow—was shown.

Anbernic RG40XXV: The Basics

The RG40XXV is the replacement for the RG351V, which was first made available in 2021. It is another vertical handheld, as the name implies, defying the current trend of 1:1 and horizontal handhelds. In keeping with it, we have a 4-inch IPS screen with a 4:3 aspect ratio and a resolution of 640 x 480.

In addition to the two microSD card slots on the bottom, the Allwinner H700 comes with 1GB of LPDDR4 RAM. Along with a micro HDMI port at the top, Anbernic also includes a USB-C charging port on the bottom of the 40XXV. Regarding battery life, our 3,200mAh cell has a six-hour rated lifespan and supports USB-C to USB-C charging.

In the meantime, the price starts at $66 and comes in three distinct hues. You will receive a 64GB microSD card with that, but 64GB+128GB or 64GB+256GB variants are also available.

Anbernic RG40XXV: Design and Display

I assumed Anbernic was attempting to disparage Ayaneo when the RG40XXV was initially revealed. Fans of vertical handhelds were treated to a novel experience at the time with the Pocket DMG, which had just been released. This is because the Pocket DMG has a built-in touchpad and a thumbstick in the lower left corner in addition to the D-Pad and ABXY buttons.

With the RG40XXV, Anbernic obviously didn't go that far, but it's a vertical handheld with a thumbstick in the lower left corner. The ability to play thumbstick-required games without worrying about the D-Pad trying to do double duty is the clear advantage of owning this.

The RG40XXV's dependence on the 4-inch IPS display is another factor that makes it so fascinating. A lot of the substitutes continue to use the dependable 3.5-inch IPS screen. Though half an inch makes a significant difference, it's still not a negative thing.

Since my eyesight isn't as good as it once was, it's nice that I don't feel like I have to strain at the computer to see anything. Additionally, I don't know where Anbernic gets these screens, but my RG40XXV is just as clear and tidy as any other portable device I own that isn't OLED.

In case you're wondering why my buttons don't look the same, it's because my RG35XX 2024 donated them.

Anbernic RG40XXV: Performance

What more about performance hasn't already been said? Anbernic has been using the same H700 since the late 2024 launch of the RG35XX Plus.

The RG40XXV can easily handle up to PS1 if this is your first handheld device. The majority of Nintendo DS, N64, and Dreamcast games function flawlessly after that; however, PSP and Saturn games will start to give you trouble.

Anbernic RG40XXV: A Couple of Minor Gripes

Although the RG40XXV is by no means the "perfect" handheld, there isn't much to be unhappy about. The rear triggers are the source of my main grievance. Even if I pressed the triggers far too frequently, this might be a "me" thing.

I'm still on an Apotris kick, so it's annoying that I accidentally switch out pieces without realizing I pulled the trigger. Compared to the RGB20SX, there is less of an issue with the RG40XXV. I used some 3D-printed triggers in place of the original ones. However, it's still bothersome.

Though the edges are curved, the flat back is the reason for this. On the plus side, it's not as much of an issue as when I want to use the Miyoo Mini Plus or RG35XX Plus. My other complaint is a minor one and may already be resolved. I had assumed that my hands would feel perfectly at home with the RG40XXV's wider body, but it just wasn't meant to be.

Regarding the statement that the issue has been resolved, it is because Anbernic has already made the RG406V public. The grip-like shape on the back of the RG406V makes it more bulbous, in addition to having a 4-inch display. It will have to wait, but I'm curious to see if this turns out to be the "ultimate vertical" for me.

Anbernic RG40XXV: Custom Firmware

One of the reasons why Anbernic's barrage of handhelds has been tiring is owing to the fact that the H700 powers the bulk of them. We know that there are more powerful processors out there, but the business hasn't emptied up its inventory yet.

The rebuttal to this is that we don't need to be concerned about another Miyoo A30 situation. Instead, the fact that the H700 is still in use indicates that there are many excellent custom firmware options available. The RG40XXV works incredibly well with two of our favorites, Knulli and music, and things are only going to get better.

If you don't believe me, watch the video above, where Zu previews the upcoming muOS Bananas update.

Anbernic RG40XXV: Should You Buy It?

You should purchase the RG40XXV for two reasons. The screen is the first because, especially when compared to the competition, a 4-inch display is simply amazing. There are no issues with light bleed, and it is clear and clean.

Another reason is that you can play games on the N64 and PS1 but don't have a handheld device with a thumbstick built in. The D-Pad emulation functions perfectly most of the time, but switching between the two is more practical.

The RG40XXV is the best option if you're on a tight budget and want a Pocket DMG. My beloved RG353V is likely to be replaced by this, although it may not hold the throne for very long because the RG406V is on the horizon.