Anbernic just teased the RG 55G1 with a brand new core

Handheld manufacturer Anbernic has officially teased the RG 55G1, a new emulation device that points to a major shift in the company's internal hardware. Anbernic announced the console on June 18 with a short trailer, showing off a Switch Lite-style form factor and the tagline "A New Core. A New Frontier."

We are in a golden era of retro emulation handhelds. The sheer volume of hardware hitting the market means consumers get better screens, better controls, and more power at lower prices. Anbernic has been a massive part of that push. Since the company launched in 2017, they have produced over 40 distinct handhelds. It is not unusual for them to release eight to ten new models in a single calendar year.

Moving past Rockchip

The "New Core" marketing is the most interesting part of this announcement. Anbernic devices traditionally rely on chips from Unisoc, Rockchip, or MediaTek. The mechanical RG Rotate uses the Unisoc T618, and the recent RG VITA Pro runs on a Rockchip RK3576. These processors handle 16-bit and 32-bit systems perfectly fine, but they often struggle with the heavier demands of PlayStation 2 or GameCube emulation.

The "G1" in the RG 55G1's name strongly suggests a jump to a Qualcomm Snapdragon processor. If the device uses something like the Snapdragon G1 Gen 2, it would be a massive leap in driver support and raw performance for the company's mid-range tier. Snapdragon chips simply play nicer with high-end standalone Android emulators.

Hall-effect everything

The physical design leans heavily into premium components. The analog inputs use 3D Hall-effect joysticks surrounded by RGB lighting, alongside Hall-effect triggers. Because these components rely on magnets rather than physical potentiometers, they eliminate the risk of stick drift over time.

The shell itself is a dead ringer for a Nintendo Switch Lite, right down to the unibody design and the specific curve of the shoulder buttons. It includes double-shot buttons and a full-screen 2.5D glass display. At launch, the console will be available in Indigo, Retro Gray, and Black.

Sitting between the 35XX and VITA Pro

Anbernic's catalog is notoriously crowded. The RG35XX series currently dominates the sub-$60 budget category with its vertical Game Boy styling and basic Linux operating system. On the other end, the RG VITA Pro tries to bridge the gap with a 1080p bezel-less screen and a dual Android 14 and Linux setup.

The RG 55G1 appears to sit right in the middle as a dedicated Android device focused entirely on processing power and control quality. Anbernic devices often offer a choice between Linux and Android, but Android is practically mandatory once you push into higher-end emulation. If this handheld is packing a Snapdragon chip, it will almost certainly run Android exclusively to get the most out of that hardware.

We do not have a firm release date or price yet. Anbernic usually operates on a very short runway between a YouTube tease and retail availability. If the processor speculation holds up, it might actually justify adding yet another device to the pile.

Source: www.aliexpress.us