Retroid Pocket 5 & Pocket Mini: Next-Gen Handhelds with AMOLED & Snapdragon!
September 8, 2024 | by Smith Elsie
Hello there, once again, Retroid has made waves with two highly anticipated devices: the Retroid Pocket 5 and Retroid Pocket Mini! It’s ETA Prime! These handheld devices are expected to cause a stir in the gaming community because of their interesting features, which include AMOLED screens and the potent Snapdragon 865. Testing the specifics will help you determine which one could be your future portable gaming device.
Retroid Pocket 5 vs. Retroid Pocket Mini: What’s the Difference?
To begin with, the hardware powering these two gadgets is identical. This implies that both smartphones will be powered by the Snapdragon 865 CPU and Adreno 650 GPU, providing remarkable performance for a handheld Android system. You may recall that the MediaTek Dimensity 1100, a powerful chip in and of itself, was utilized in earlier versions of the Retroid Pocket 4 and 4 Pro. For their most recent smartphones, Retroid has chosen to go in a different direction with the Snapdragon 865.
Let’s go on to the screens. The smaller of the two is the Retroid Pocket Mini, which has a 3.7-inch AMOLED screen with a 4:3 aspect ratio and 1280×960 resolution. For aficionados of old-school video games who like small gadgets, this is ideal. The Retroid Pocket 5, on the other hand, has a 5.5-inch AMOLED display with a 16:9 aspect ratio and 1080p quality, which makes it perfect for people who want a bigger screen for both contemporary and classic games.
Snapdragon 865 vs. MediaTek Dimensity 1100: Which is Better?
A significant query is how the Snapdragon 865 stacks up against the previous generation’s Dimensity 1100. Benchmark testing show that the two perform very similarly. For instance, the Dimensity 1100 gets 755,000 in Antutu, whereas the Snapdragon 865 scores 752,000. The Dimensity 1100 performs 1% quicker in multi-core tests on Geekbench 6 compared to the Snapdragon’s 1% faster single-core performance.
Therefore, even while the Snapdragon 865 is no wimp and offers comparable performance, especially when paired with the Android 10 OS these smartphones run on, the Dimensity 1100 may just edge out in some tasks.
Retroid Pocket Mini: The Compact Powerhouse
The Retroid Pocket Mini might be your first choice if portability is important to you. It’s modest in size, yet it packs a lot of hardware:
- 3.7-inch AMOLED Display (1280×960, 60Hz)
- Snapdragon 865 with Adreno 650 GPU
- 6GB LPDDR4X RAM
- 128GB UFS 3.1 storage (expandable via microSD)
- 4,000mAh battery
- Hall-based analog sticks for precision control
- Active cooling to keep things running smoothly
Top-notch connectivity is provided by Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5.1, and Retroid guarantees over-the-air updates to maintain your device operating at peak performance. The Pocket Mini is priced at $199, but for the first 24 hours, early adopters will receive a $10 discount.
Retroid Pocket 5: The Big-Screen Option
For those who like their gaming on a bigger screen, the Retroid Pocket 5 is the best option. Here’s what to anticipate:
- 5.5-inch AMOLED Display (1080p, 60Hz)
- Snapdragon 865 with Adreno 650 GPU
- 6GB LPDDR4X RAM
- 128GB UFS 3.1 storage (expandable via microSD)
- 5,000mAh battery for extended play sessions
- Active cooling and Hall-based sticks
The Pocket 5 is ideal for individuals who want a larger screen for their classic library or for modern gaming due to its larger display and Snapdragon 865 performance. Similar starting prices of $199 apply.
Color Variants & Design
To accommodate the tastes of every gamer, both models are available in a variety of vibrant color combinations. There will be three color options for the Retroid Pocket Mini: Saturn, Famicom-style, and a vintage orange and white combination. On the other hand, the Retroid Pocket 5 features black-and-white, 16-bit designs reminiscent of the GameCube.
Retroid Pocket 5 & Pocket Mini: Pricing and Performance
Let’s discuss the price first. For the first 24 hours, the Retroid Pocket Mini is available for $189, however there is an introductory $10 reduction that lowers the price. Conversely, the Retroid Pocket 5 costs $219, however for the first 24 hours, there is a $20 discount coupon that drops the price to $200. Therefore, even though the Pocket Mini has a lower starting price, the Pocket 5 is rather competitive due to its initial discount.
Why Consider Upgrading?
If you’re coming from something like the Retroid Pocket 4 Pro, you may be thinking if upgrading is worthwhile. Yes, it most definitely is, in my perspective. This is the reason why:
- Performance Boost: The MediaTek Dimensity 1100 in the Pocket 4 Pro will not perform as well as the Snapdragon 865 in the Pocket 5 and Pocket Mini. This will be very apparent when emulating games, especially those for the GameCube and Wii that use the Dolphin Emulator. With less lag and better graphics, the Snapdragon 865 is more powerful and designed with gaming in mind, making for a more seamless experience.
- AMOLED Display: The AMOLED screens on both models are a major improvement over the LCDs that were used in earlier Retroid devices. Whether you’re playing Android games or older titles, AMOLED panels improve the visual experience with deeper blacks, brighter colors, and greater contrast ratios.
- Improved Compatibility: Since Qualcomm Snapdragon chips are taken into consideration by many game creators when creating their titles, you may anticipate improved performance and compatibility with native Android games on these new devices.
Which Model Should You Choose?
- Retroid Pocket Mini: The Pocket Mini is a great option if you value portability. Its 3.7-inch AMOLED screen makes it ideal for gaming while on the go, and its affordable price—especially after the initial discount—makes it an excellent buy.
- Retroid Pocket 5: The Pocket 5 is the best option if you want a more immersive gaming experience and would prefer a larger screen. Long play sessions will benefit from its more comfortable viewing experience thanks to its 5.5-inch AMOLED display, and the $20 cut lowers the price to a competitive level.
Both devices are available in a range of colors, with the Pocket 5 sporting an eye-catching GameCube design and the Pocket Mini coming in numerous stylish hues.
Final Thoughts
The release of these new Retroid handhelds truly excites me. AMOLED screens and Snapdragon 865 processors sound like a winning combo, and if first impressions are correct, Retroid may be onto something again.
Which one then do you think you should choose? Which would you prefer—the Pocket Mini’s small size and portability or the Retroid Pocket 5’s larger screen and other features? Remember to mention the color you’re thinking of using! Please share your opinions in the comments section below, and don’t hesitate to ask any questions.
Thank you for reading as usual, and check back soon for more updates!
Video review of Retroid Pocket 5 & Pocket Mini Hands-On
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