Anbernic's new RG SP handheld ditches the thumbsticks for a slimmer clamshell

Anbernic has revealed the RG SP, a new iteration of its clamshell retro handhelds that removes the analog sticks to achieve a 10% thinner profile. The device was announced on July 21, 2026, through an official blog post and teaser video.

10% thinner without the sticks

Nintendo launched the original Game Boy Advance SP in 2003. It solved the lighting issues of the original GBA and introduced a folding design that protected the screen in your pocket. Anbernic has been chasing that exact form factor for years. The company released the RG35XX SP back in 2024, which closely mirrored the Nintendo classic. They followed it up with the RG34XX SP in 2025, adding dual analog sticks to accommodate 3D games.

Now, Anbernic is walking that back. The new RG SP returns to a pure D-pad and face-button layout. By removing the joysticks and redesigning over 90% of the internal components, the body is roughly 10% thinner than previous models. The screen bezels are also noticeably narrower.

H700 chip and 720x480 screen

Under the hood, the handheld runs on the Allwinner H700 chipset. This is a known quantity in the retro handheld space. Based on previous Anbernic devices using this exact chip, it can comfortably emulate everything up to the original PlayStation, Dreamcast, and Game Boy Advance.

The screen is a 3.4-inch IPS display with a 720 by 480 resolution. That resolution allows for 3x pixel-perfect scaling for Game Boy Advance games, filling the screen without blurring the pixels. The 720 by 480 resolution is a 3:2 aspect ratio, which matches the original Game Boy Advance screen perfectly. When you play Super Nintendo or Sega Genesis games, you will get small black bars on the sides, but GBA games will use the entire display.

Linux OS and custom firmware

The stock Anbernic Linux OS is functional and gets you into games quickly. However, the H700 chip has a massive community behind it. Custom firmware options like muOS or Knulli will likely support this device shortly after launch. Those community operating systems usually offer better boot times and more customization options than the factory software.

The shell features a metallic finish and dual alloy hinges that support multi-angle positioning. It comes in four colors: Platinum, Graphite, Pearl Blue, and Pearl Pink. Anbernic has not announced a final release date or price yet. Their hardware usually hits storefronts within a few weeks of these initial teaser videos, so expect preorders to open soon.