If you want the best all-round budget handheld from ANBERNIC's H700 lineup, get the RG40XX H (from ₱3,999): it is horizontal, has two full analog sticks and is the most comfortable for long sessions. Get the RG40XX V (also from ₱3,999) if you mostly play Game Boy, GBA, NES and SNES and want a Game Boy-style vertical body. Get the RG SP (from ₱4,199) if you want a pocketable Game Boy Advance SP-style clamshell with a 3:2 screen made for GBA. All three use the same Allwinner H700 chip, so the choice comes down to shape, screen and controls.
Quick picks
| If you want… | Get | From |
|---|---|---|
| The most comfortable all-rounder with two full sticks | ANBERNIC RG40XX H | ₱3,999 |
| A Game Boy-style vertical for d-pad classics | ANBERNIC RG40XX V | ₱3,999 |
| A folding, pocket-friendly GBA SP-style handheld | ANBERNIC RG SP | ₱4,199 |
Prices are for base variants and may change. You can see the full range in our ANBERNIC collection.
Side-by-side specs
| RG40XX H | RG40XX V | RG SP | |
|---|---|---|---|
| From | ₱3,999 | ₱3,999 | ₱4,199 |
| Shape | Horizontal | Vertical | Clamshell |
| Chip | Allwinner H700 | Allwinner H700 | Allwinner H700 |
| RAM | 1GB | 1GB | 1GB |
| Screen | 4" IPS, 640×480 (4:3) | 4" IPS, 640×480 (4:3) | 3.4" IPS, 720×480 (3:2) |
| Analog sticks | Two | One | Two small sticks |
| Battery | 3200mAh (about 6 hours rated) | 3200mAh (about 6 hours rated) | 3300mAh (about 6 hours rated) |
| Wi-Fi / Bluetooth | Dual-band Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 4.2 | Dual-band Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 4.2 | Dual-band Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 4.2 |
| TV output | Yes | Yes | Yes (mini HDMI) |
| Weight | About 208g | About 216g | About 178g |
| Software | Linux | Linux | Linux |
What the H700 can play
All three run the Allwinner H700, a quad-core Cortex-A53 chip with Mali-G31 graphics and 1GB of RAM. That puts them in the same performance tier, so none of them plays anything the others can't.
- Runs well: NES, SNES, Genesis, Game Boy, GBA, arcade classics and PS1.
- Mostly playable: Nintendo DS, shown on a single screen.
- Hit or miss: N64, Dreamcast and PSP. Lighter games run well, and demanding ones need tweaks or don't hold full speed.
- Out of reach: PS2, GameCube and Switch. For those you need an Android handheld; see our PS2 and GameCube handheld guide.
Results vary by game and emulator version, so treat these as general ranges. The H700 is a step up from the RK3326 chip in the R36S family, mostly in N64, Dreamcast and PSP. Our R36S vs RG35XX comparison covers that difference in more detail.
The picks in detail
ANBERNIC RG40XX H (from ₱3,999)
A horizontal handheld with a 4" 640×480 IPS screen, two analog sticks, RGB-lit sticks, dual-band Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 4.2 and TV output. At about 208g and 16mm thick, it's slim for a horizontal model. Who it's for: anyone who plays PS1, N64 or PSP games that use analog sticks, and anyone who plays for an hour or more at a time, since the wide grip is the most comfortable of the three. Trade-off: it doesn't fold and it's the widest, so you'll want a case for your bag. Pair it with a 9H tempered glass screen protector (₱150).
ANBERNIC RG40XX V (from ₱3,999)
The same chip, screen and battery in a vertical, Game Boy-style body with one analog stick below the face buttons. Who it's for: players whose favorites are Pokémon, Zelda, Mario and other d-pad games on Game Boy, GBA, NES and SNES. The vertical shape is easy to hold one-handed on a jeepney or MRT ride. Trade-off: with only one stick, N64 games and PS1 games that need two sticks feel limited. It's also the heaviest of the three at about 216g. Its matching 9H screen protector is ₱150.
ANBERNIC RG SP (from ₱4,199)
A Game Boy Advance SP-style clamshell with a 3.4" 720×480 IPS screen in 3:2, the same shape as a GBA screen. 720×480 is exactly three times the GBA's 240×160, so GBA games scale cleanly with no uneven pixels. It has dual-band Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 4.2 and mini HDMI out, and at about 178g it's the lightest here. Who it's for: GBA fans and commuters who want the screen protected when the handheld is closed. Trade-off: it has two analog sticks, but they're small and sit low in the case, and reviewers find them uncomfortable for long sessions, so think of them as a backup. 4:3 systems such as SNES and PS1 show borders on the 3:2 screen. Add the RG SP screen protector (₱150).
Screen shape matters more than size
The RG40XX H and V use a 4:3 screen, which matches SNES, Genesis, PS1, N64 and most arcade games. Those fill the screen edge to edge. GBA games show thin bars at the top and bottom.
The RG SP's 3:2 screen is the reverse: perfect for GBA, with side borders on 4:3 systems. If GBA is the main reason you're buying, the RG SP gives you the sharpest picture. If you mostly play PS1 and SNES, the 4" 4:3 screen on the RG40XX models shows those games larger.
Other H700 handhelds we carry
- ANBERNIC RG35XX (2024) (from ₱2,999): the cheapest H700 handheld, vertical, with a 3.5" screen and no analog sticks. Best for 2D games on a tight budget.
- ANBERNIC RG35XXSP (from ₱3,299): a GBA SP-style clamshell with a 3.5" 4:3 screen and no sticks. Stock is very low.
Wi-Fi, Bluetooth and TV output
All three have dual-band Wi-Fi and Bluetooth 4.2, which the RG35XX (2024) lacks. Wi-Fi lets you sign in to RetroAchievements, download box art and move files over your home network without pulling out the microSD card. Bluetooth lets you pair wireless earphones or a controller. With TV output, any of the three can play on a television, which is handy for local multiplayer with a second controller.
Pick this if…
- Pick the RG40XX H if you play PS1, N64 or PSP, play for long sessions, and want two full-size sticks.
- Pick the RG40XX V if your library is mostly Game Boy, GBA, NES and SNES and you like a vertical, one-hand-friendly shape.
- Pick the RG SP if GBA is your favorite system, or you want a clamshell that protects the screen in a bag.
FAQ
Is the RG40XX H better than the RG40XX V?
They perform the same because they share the H700 chip, screen and battery. The RG40XX H has two sticks and a wider grip, so it's better for 3D games. The RG40XX V is better for d-pad games and is easier to hold one-handed.
Does the ANBERNIC RG SP have analog sticks?
Yes, two small sticks below the face buttons. They work, but they sit low and aren't comfortable for long 3D sessions, so the RG SP is best for d-pad games.
Can these handhelds play PS2 games?
No. The H700 is built for systems up to PS1, with some N64, Dreamcast and PSP. For PS2, look at a Snapdragon 865 or 8 Gen 2 Android handheld such as the Mangmi Air Y Pro or Retroid Pocket 6.
Which is best for Pokémon games?
For Game Boy and GBA Pokémon games, the RG SP's 3:2 screen is the best match for GBA, and the RG40XX V's vertical shape feels closest to the original Game Boy. Both are great choices.
Can I connect them to a TV?
Yes. All three have TV output, and the RG SP uses a mini HDMI port. Pair a Bluetooth or 2.4GHz controller for a console-style setup.
Still deciding? Message GameCove on our chat or Facebook page and tell us which games you play, or browse all our retro handhelds.