Anbernic's new RG 55G1 handheld has Hall-effect sticks and 2.5D glass

Anbernic has announced the RG 55G1, a new horizontal retro gaming handheld that upgrades the company's standard control layout with Hall-effect sensors and a 2.5D glass display. According to Anbernic, the device is designed to preserve a familiar handheld feel while upgrading overall build quality.

The Shenzhen-based hardware maker has been producing emulation devices since 2017. Their catalog is extensive, with models like the RG35XX and RG556 dominating the budget handheld market. Anbernic releases new hardware at a pace that almost requires a spreadsheet to track, but the RG 55G1 has a few specific hardware changes that separate it from the company's usual output.

Moving away from RockChip

The most interesting detail surrounding the RG 55G1 isn't officially confirmed yet. Industry rumors point to the device using a Snapdragon processor, potentially the Snapdragon G1 Gen 2 SoC. If true, this is a major shift. Anbernic traditionally builds its handhelds around budget-friendly RockChip or MediaTek processors.

A Snapdragon chip would provide a noticeable bump in emulation performance. Devices in this form factor often struggle with the upper end of the sixth console generation. A more capable SoC could mean smoother framerates for PlayStation 2 and GameCube titles, which remain the primary bottleneck for sub-$200 emulation handhelds.

Hall-effect sensors are now standard

On the outside, the confirmed specifications focus heavily on the controls and screen. The front of the device uses a 5.5-inch display covered by 2.5D glass. This glass curves slightly at the edges to create a smoother transition into the plastic shell.

The control inputs are getting a premium treatment. The RG 55G1 includes 3D Hall-effect joysticks and Hall-effect triggers. These magnetic sensors do not rely on physical contact to register movement. This makes them immune to the stick drift issues that plague traditional potentiometer-based controllers. The face buttons use a double-shot injection molding process. The button labels are part of the plastic itself rather than printed on top, so they will not rub off after heavy use.

Switch Lite aesthetics in three colors

The physical design borrows heavily from the Nintendo Switch Lite. It shares the same compact, horizontal layout and rounded corners that Nintendo introduced in 2019. Anbernic is offering the shell in three colors: Indigo, Retro Gray, and Black. The Indigo option looks like a direct nod to the GameCube's launch color.

Like most Anbernic releases, the RG 55G1 is expected to support a robust custom firmware community. The company's devices typically run either Android or a custom Linux distribution. An Android-based setup would make sense for a Snapdragon-powered device. This would give users direct access to standalone emulators like AetherSX2 for PlayStation 2 or Dolphin for GameCube without needing complex workarounds.

Anbernic has not provided a firm release date or official pricing. Based on the hardware specifications and the company's previous pricing tiers, the RG 55G1 will likely land somewhere in the $120 to $200 range.