Dual-Screen Handhelds Explained: AYN Thor vs Retroid Pocket Duo Lite vs ANBERNIC RG DS vs RG DS Plus

If you mainly want to replay Nintendo DS games, the ₱7,299 ANBERNIC RG DS or RG DS Plus is enough. If you want 3DS games to run properly, look at the Retroid Pocket Duo Lite for lighter titles, or the AYN Thor if you want 3DS running smoothly at higher resolutions. The big difference between them is the chip. It decides whether you get a good DS machine or a good DS and 3DS machine, and the price goes from ₱7,299 to ₱24,990 and up.

All four are in stock at GameCove as of November 2026. Below we compare screens, touch, chips, operating systems and what each one can realistically emulate.

Quick picks

Why two screens matter

The Nintendo DS and 3DS were designed around two screens. Many games show the action on top and put the map, inventory or controls on the bottom. A lot of DS games also depend on the touchscreen: you draw, tap or swipe on the bottom screen with a stylus. On a regular single-screen handheld you have to squeeze both screens onto one display, often side by side at a small size, or keep swapping between them with a hotkey. It works, but it isn't comfortable.

A dual-screen clamshell gives each game screen its own panel and puts the touch layer where the game expects it, so the experience is much closer to the original hardware. On the Android models the second screen is useful outside DS/3DS too. You can keep a map or guide open while playing, put an emulator's on-screen controls or menus there, or keep stream chat or a music app visible while the main game runs on top. Folded shut, a clamshell also protects its screens in a bag, which helps on a commute.

Screens and touch

The two ANBERNIC models use matching 4:3 screens on top and bottom, like an actual DS. The RG DS has 640×480 panels, which is an exact 2x of the DS's native 256×192 resolution. The RG DS Plus moves up to 4.3" at 1024×768, so upscaled DS games look sharper. The Retroid and AYN go the other way: a large widescreen top panel for modern Android games and widescreen systems, and a smaller 4:3 bottom panel. That suits 3DS (its top screen is widescreen) and general Android use. With DS games, though, the top image will have black bars at the sides.

A note on touch: these are capacitive screens, so an old resistive DS stylus won't work. The ANBERNIC models ship with a capacitive stylus, but reviewers report some touch lag on the RG DS, which shows up in timing-heavy rhythm games. The AYN Thor doesn't come with a stylus, so add a capacitive one if you play touch-heavy games.

Chips: what each one can actually emulate

RK3568 (RG DS and RG DS Plus)

The Rockchip RK3568 is a modest chip. It handles DS emulation well through DraStic, and on the RG DS most DS games can run at 2x internal resolution. Everything up to PlayStation 1 plays fine. N64, Dreamcast and PSP vary from game to game, and PSP in particular doesn't look its best on 4:3 panels. The RK3568 isn't suited to 3DS. On the Android-based RG DS, reviewers found that only a handful of light 3DS games reach full speed in Azahar. The RG DS Plus has 1GB of RAM and runs Linux, so plan on it being a DS machine. The more accurate melonDS emulator is also too heavy for this chip, so DraStic is the one you'll use.

Dragonwing QCS6125 (Retroid Pocket Duo Lite)

The QCS6125 is a mid-range chip about as fast as an older Snapdragon 665-class phone, with an Adreno 610 GPU. It's clearly stronger than the RK3568, and DS, PSP and older systems run comfortably. 3DS is where you have to manage expectations. Lighter and 2D-heavy 3DS games are generally playable at native resolution, but demanding 3D games will need lower settings, and some won't hold full speed. GameCube runs lighter titles. PS2 is mostly out of reach. With 4GB or 6GB of RAM, Android 15 and a 6000mAh battery, it's a solid all-rounder for the price, but it isn't a 3DS powerhouse.

Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 (AYN Thor)

The Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 in the AYN Thor is a flagship-class chip, and it's the only one here that comfortably runs 3DS games at upscaled resolutions (2x to 4x is realistic for much of the library). It also handles GameCube, PS2 and demanding Android games, and its active cooling holds performance up during long sessions. Wii U emulation is possible, and the bottom screen can serve as the GamePad, but expect shader-compilation stutter and not every game working. Note that the Thor Lite variant uses the older Snapdragon 865. It's still capable, but a step below.

Operating system

• RG DS Plus: Linux. It boots straight into a game-focused interface set up for two screens, with no app store to deal with. That makes it simple, but you can't install Android apps, and there are no second-screen extras like a browser or chat window. Community firmware options were still maturing at launch.
• RG DS: Android 14. DraStic comes preinstalled. You can sideload other emulators and apps, but there's no Google Play Store out of the box.
• Retroid Pocket Duo Lite: Android 15. This is the newest Android version in the group, a good fit if you want frontends like ES-DE plus everyday apps on the second screen.
• AYN Thor: Android 13. It's an older Android version, but it's mature and well supported by emulator developers, including dual-screen builds of DS and 3DS emulators. No emulators come preinstalled, so plan time for setup.

Full comparison

Trade-offs to know

• RG DS Plus: Only 1GB of RAM and a single stick, so dual-stick PS1 games are awkward. It's fairly large and weighs around 344g. Battery life is about 6 hours in light DS use.
• RG DS: Smaller, lower-resolution screens. Its small sticks sit low and get mixed reviews. Expect roughly 4–5 hours per charge, with slow charging.
• Retroid Pocket Duo Lite: Uses TFT/LCD panels rather than OLED, and 60Hz screens. Its chip limits 3DS and rules out most PS2.
• AYN Thor: The price, first of all. It's also about 380g with a glued-in battery and no stylus in the box. The bottom screen runs at 60Hz while the top runs at 120Hz. For accessories, the AYN Thor Accessories Pack is ₱3,800.

With all of them, Manila heat matters. Don't charge a clamshell closed in a hot bag, and give the vents room to breathe during long sessions.

Pick this if...

• Pick the RG DS Plus if you want the most DS-like experience for the money, with two sharp 4:3 screens and a simple Linux setup, and you don't care about 3DS or Android apps.
• Pick the RG DS if you want the same ₱7,299 budget but would rather have Android 14, two sticks and more RAM, and you can live with smaller 640×480 screens. It also makes a sensible gift for someone who grew up on the DS.
• Pick the Retroid Pocket Duo Lite if you want a large widescreen top display, Android 15, a 6000mAh battery and a taste of 3DS without paying flagship prices.
• Pick the AYN Thor if 3DS is the main reason you're buying, or you also want PS2, GameCube and heavier Android games. It's our best-selling handheld for a reason, and the budget models simply can't do what it does.

We also carry the ONEXSUGAR Sugar 1 (₱29,990, dual OLED, Snapdragon G3 Gen 3). It's currently out of stock, and for most buyers the AYN Thor covers the same ground.

FAQ

Can the ANBERNIC RG DS play 3DS games?

Only a small number of light 3DS games run at full speed on the RG DS. Its RK3568 chip isn't built for 3DS emulation, so treat it as a DS handheld. For real 3DS play, the AYN Thor is the one to get.

What's the difference between the RG DS and RG DS Plus?

Both cost ₱7,299 and use the RK3568. The Plus has larger, higher-resolution 4.3" 1024×768 screens and runs Linux, but it has 1GB of RAM and a single stick. The RG DS runs Android 14 with 3GB of RAM and dual Hall sticks on smaller 4" 640×480 screens.

Is the Retroid Pocket Duo Lite good enough for 3DS?

For lighter games at native resolution, often yes. For demanding 3D titles, expect to lower settings, and some games won't hold full speed. If smooth 3DS at higher resolution matters to you, step up to the AYN Thor.

Do I need a stylus?

Many DS games are easier to play with one. All four use capacitive touchscreens, so you'll need a capacitive stylus, not an original DS stylus. The ANBERNIC models include one. For the AYN Thor you'll have to buy one separately.

Where do I get games?

Play games you own, for example by backing up your own cartridges.

Can I use the second screen for things other than games?

On the Android models (RG DS, Duo Lite, Thor), yes. You can keep a map, guide, chat window or music app on one screen while gaming on the other. The Linux-based RG DS Plus uses its second screen mainly for DS-style games.

Still deciding? Browse all our Android handhelds or the full handheld lineup, or send GameCove a message on our chat or Facebook page.