Anbernic's Snapdragon-powered RG55G1 starts at $150

Anbernic has confirmed the pricing and launch details for the RG55G1. The Android-based retro handheld goes up for pre-order on August 31 at 6:00 AM EDT. According to a post on Reddit's r/SBCGaming, the base model will cost $149.99.

That base price gets you 4GB of RAM and 64GB of internal storage. A higher tier with 8GB of RAM and 128GB of storage will sell for $174.99. Both configurations include a $10 early bird discount for the first 72 hours of the pre-order window. This discount brings the starting price down to $139.99 for early buyers.

A shift to Qualcomm

The hardware itself was first shown off in June 2026. The RG55G1 is a notable release for Anbernic because it ditches the Rockchip and Unisoc processors the company usually relies on for its budget devices. Instead, it uses a Qualcomm Snapdragon G1 Gen 2 chipset paired with an Adreno A12 GPU.

Anbernic has been manufacturing portable emulation consoles since 2017. They built their audience on Linux-based devices like the RG35XX, which focused on 16-bit and 32-bit systems. Moving into the Android space allowed them to target more demanding consoles. They often hit a performance ceiling due to cheap chipsets, so the move to a Snapdragon processor is a welcome change.

I would pay for the RAM upgrade

Android 14 is a heavy operating system, and the 8GB RAM model is likely the better target here. Emulators for systems like the PlayStation 2 and GameCube benefit from the extra memory. The base 4GB might struggle with background tasks while running heavier 3D games.

The base 64GB of storage also fills up fast if you load it with CD-based games. A single PlayStation 2 game can take up 4GB on its own. You will definitely need a high-capacity MicroSD card regardless of which model you choose.

Nintendo Switch Lite proportions

The rest of the spec sheet reads like a standard mid-range Android handheld. It features a 5.5-inch 1080p IPS display. The controls include 3D Hall effect analog sticks and Hall triggers, which resist stick drift over time. A 6,000 mAh battery powers the system, and active cooling keeps the Snapdragon chip from throttling under heavy loads.

The physical design borrows heavily from the Nintendo Switch Lite. It is a horizontal slab that should be comfortable enough for long sessions. The Snapdragon G1 Gen 2 should comfortably handle the Sega Dreamcast, PlayStation Portable, and Nintendo 64. Qualcomm's Adreno drivers generally play nicer with PlayStation 2 emulators than the Mali GPUs used in previous Anbernic handhelds like the RG556.

The handheld market is crowded right now, and Anbernic alone releases new hardware every few months. The RG55G1 at least brings a different processor architecture to the $150 price bracket.