The Nintendo Switch and Steam Deck might have opened the floodgates for modern gaming handhelds, but once I got my hands on my first Android retro gaming handheld, I was in love. The combination of retro emulators and the versatility of Android makes these devices incredible for everything from reliving the classics to playing your favorite Windows or Switch games on the go. I’ve tested dozens of these handhelds at this point, and while many of them may look similar, there’s a lot to consider.
Everything from the controls and screen to the chipset and proprietary software can make or break a gaming handheld. With that in mind, here are the Android gaming handhelds I would recommend for each use case.
AYN Odin 2 Portal: The best Android gaming handheld overall AYN Odin 2 Portal Incredible display • Superb performance • Lightweight MSRP: $329.00 The ultimate Android gaming handheld. The Odin 2 Portal has a massive OLED screen and enough power to make the most of it. See price at Manufacturer site Positives Incredible display
Incredible display Superb performance
Superb performance Lightweight
Lightweight Great compatibility Cons Very large
Very large Middling ergonomics
Middling ergonomics Pricey For most people, the AYN Odin 2 Portal is the handheld to beat. Sure, it was released back in 2023, but the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 is still an absolute powerhouse for emulation, and the 7-inch 120Hz AMOLED panel is still one of the best on the market. No matter what you’re looking to play, the Odin 2 Portal can handle it with ease. Obviously that includes retro consoles, which look even better than the originals thanks to upscaling, shaders, and widescreen hacks. However, it can also handle the latest and greatest, including Nintendo Switch, PS3, and Windows emulation. The main limits there are software, not hardware. That said, it is very large, and I wasn’t a fan of the ergonomics. I’d recommend picking up a simple grip to make it comfortable for longer gaming sessions, which the 8,000mAh battery is more than capable of powering through. The Odin 2 Portal has a beautiful screen and enough power for demanding emulation. I also have to mention that the Odin 3 is just around the corner, and it’s poised to revolutionize the Android gaming handheld space with a Snapdragon 8 Elite SoC. This is a massive leap forward in performance, but it will be at least six months to a year before driver support catches up. The Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 has some of the best driver support after years of Turnip driver improvements. You won’t see it on any spec sheets, but I cannot overstate just how important this is for emulation performance. Nick Fernandez / Android Authority Read more
Retroid Pocket 5/Flip 2: The best value Android gaming handheld Retroid Pocket 5 Beautiful display • Solid emulation performance • Excellent battery life MSRP: $259.00 The gold standard for Android retro gaming handhelds. The Retroid Pocket 5 is the gold standard for Android gaming handhelds, with solid performance and a beautiful AMOLED screen. See price at Amazon Positives Beautiful display
Beautiful display Solid emulation performance
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