Surprise! The Retroid Pocket Mini Was Just Shown Off (UPDATE!)

Retroid did have something fresh to reveal, even though we weren't sure whether the rumors were true. The Retroid Pocket Mini makes its YouTube premiere, marking the official arrival of the teaser, which was hinted at by Bilibili screenshots that appeared a few days ago.

The official Pocket Retroid A teaser trailer for the Pocket Mini, the company's upcoming retro handheld, was released on YouTube. This brand-new 4:3 portable is making us think of the Anbernic RG Cube.

The movie shows the Pocket Mini from every angle, including its relatively bulbous handles. Compared to the Retroid Pocket 2S, the entire gadget is more rounded, which makes it more comfortable to carry.

Additionally, we have LED joysticks, which are new for Retroid but follow a trend observed in many others, such as the RG40XXH. The two front-facing speakers on each side's lower corner are also visible.

Stacked shoulder buttons are another improvement that the Pocket Mini is expected to offer. They are a welcome addition and appear more significant than those found on other Retroid handhelds.

In addition, there is a door that covers the microSD card slot, a 3.5mm headphone connector, and a USB-C port. There isn't much to say about the top other than the Power and Volume controls and an exhaust cutout.

The more we examine the Pocket Mini, the more it resembles a cross between the Ayaneo Pocket Air and the RG Cube. It could be simply the teaser colorway, similar to the ones the Pocket Air came in.

Regretfully, Retroid withheld additional information about the Pocket Mini. Since we didn't even see the screen turning on, we'll share any updates as soon as they become available.

UPDATE

The official Retroid Pocket Twitter account provided a few more facts shortly after we published this post, but they did not give away everything.

Even if it means a screen smaller than 4 inches is on the horizon, this is the first Retroid handheld with an OLED display. This further supports the notion that this is a scaled-down Ayaneo Pocket Air.

We're still working to control our expectations until the remaining Retroid Pocket Mini specifications are revealed and verified. Retroid should be able to fill in the gaps before we have to wait too long.

Another Update: More Details Revealed

One of the final elements of the Pocket Mini puzzle was the processor that would power the handheld. We now know it will use the Snapdragon 865, which Retroid had previously revealed would be a Snapdragon chip.

The Snapdragon 865 provides comparable overall performance to the Retroid Pocket 4's Dimensity 1100, though it is a little older. However, Snapdragon chips are a far better option for simulating more demanding systems because they better support drivers.

Additionally, Retroid disclosed other key specifications for the Pocket Mini:

  • Display: 3.7-inch AMOLED / 960P / 4:3
  • Processor: Snapdragon 865
  • Battery: 4,000mAh
  • Dimensions: 16.5 x 7.7 x 1.7 cm
  • Weight: 215g

Pricing Finally Revealed

The firm finally revealed the price of the Retroid Pocket 5 and Pocket Mini in the most recent edition of Retroid's information leak. The early bird price will be $189 for 24 hours. After 24 hours, the $194 pre-order price will be applied. When pre-orders end, the Pocket 5 will cost $199 at retail.

Retroid also sells a "combo" consisting of the Pocket Mini and Pocket 5. The bundle's Early Bird price starts at $369 and lasts 24 hours. During the pre-order period, it increased to $389. Given that you can purchase both handhelds for $399, this bundle appears available even after pre-orders are closed.

Finally, at 9 PM ET on September 9, pre-orders will open.