Anbernic RG35XX H: Budget Horizontal Handheld

The Anbernic RG35XX H is a horizontal version of the RG35XX Plus handheld, with a couple new additions. Let's take a deep-dive look at the device and see where it stands in this very crowded market.

Buy one here:

This was a review unit sent to me by the manufacturer. All opinions are my own, they did not see this review ahead of time, and no money was exchanged in any way.

Timestamps:
00:00 introduction
01:36 specs and pricing
02:56 unboxing and impressions
07:34 size, weight, and pocketability
13:04 color options and audio
14:20 software experience
17:52 emulation performance
21:50 HDMI and Bluetooth
23:44 Anbernic's software problem
28:06 summary (likes and dislikes)
31:02 conclusion

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#Anbernic #RG35XX #emulation #retrohandheld

[IIONNICC]

Trippy to see someone playing Cruis'n USA N64; I was a game tester for that game.
Fun fact: Nintendo rejected Cruis'n USA the first time Atari/Midway submitted it. The testers, including myself, had to work round-the-clock at the end of the test cycle. I personally worked a 42 hour shift, only breaking to drink espresso. In the end, I was the tester who found the fatal bug that caused the game to get rejected.

[burkedigital]

Really appreciate the quick breakdown on the software development dynamic when it comes to Anbernic devices. It’s such a huge factor when it comes to the handheld marketplace, and your candor is valuable to consumers.

[MrNeosantana]

Welcome back, Russ. My feed has been absolutely miserable these past couple of weeks so it's nice to have quality content back.

[joshcollins]

Russ, your videos are like a therapy. Instant stress reducer. Thank you for what you do.

[steamdeck_cruzie]

I couldn't agree more with your take on the software issue. I ran AmberELEC on my RG351P (my first retro handheld), and I don't feel like I've seen that much support any of the Linix based devices ever since. For such a great company on the hardware side you definitely hit the nail on the head for their software side. Great call out and breakdown on the RG35XX H (that's a mouth full).

[KyleMcNally]

While Russ stating that Anbernic won't share their source because it's a commercial decision is probably technically true, he skips over the fact the Anbernic is compelled to release their modifications under the license of the Linux kernel (and other software, u-boot, etc...). THAT is why developers are upset with Anbernic. They are breaking the terms of the software they are using.

[gluttonousmaximus]

**The issue with Anbernic and Miyoo - and several others, but not all of them - is that they don't have in-house software development teams. Anbernic's project lead known as Maxzhou88 is more intimately involved in PCB and manufacturing, NOT softwae/UX design. ** Anbernic's software always comes from subcontractors who are simply supposed to package up something functional without major key design input. Prime example being the implementation of the sleep light on top, which the firmware updates went back-and-forth on whether to light up until the 20231221 version where they set it to be toggleable. Another example is how some settings are toggleable in the setting menu, but how some others are the shell scripts in the APP folder. This suggests feature creep. I wish we didn't need to deal with this.

Moorechip, the company behind Retroid and AYN, is less prone to this mistake, because it has a software team. So is GameKiddy with a fairly meticulously designed iUX/OpenDingux frontend for inGenic chipsets.

[mqprivate]

Greatest tutorials of retro gaming I’ve seen on YouTube. The details provided are simply AWESOME. Super professional reviews. Thank you very much. By far the best channel on this niche :)

[TomCosgrave]

Spot on with the software comments Russ. I am happy I went with the XX Plus as my first retro handheld (gotta love that Gameboy feel!) but the same software issue arises there. I used to be a software developer in a former life and Anbernic definitely need to do better and the way to do better is to stop releasing so many devices so quickly - it would be better if they put 2 devices out every quarter and developed a stable, well developed operating system and not the rush job OS that they release. I bought the XX Plus on the basis that it wasn't fully ready yet and definitely agree that people buying the H need to do the same. I hope that GarlicOS 2.0 comes out in the next few months and really makes both the Plus and H devices to be reckoned with.

[greyghostinfinite]

I have so many retro consoles + a Steam Deck + a Logitech G Cloud, and yet - I find myself excited to get one of these anyway because of how much I love the RG315P's form factor / portability. I have more powerful handhelds, but something about the RG315P... I tend to bring it with me everywhere.
For $60-something dollars or possibly less if there are any coupons from other vendors, I think the RG35XX H might be the replacement I've been looking for (the RG353M would have been, but it's a good bit more expensive than this one will be). Thanks for the review!

[danielcornelissen]

Ordered the 35xx Plus last week. Will arrive tomorrow. My first retro emulator

Happy I ordered that one for these retro games. Dont need the analog sticks and like the classic GB look. D-pad also better. If I wanna play NGC and PSX I'll get an Retroid 4 later on, but for now this'll do.

Cant wait to receive it!

[RetroAdam]

These names are such a mouthful.

I still have my RG351M that you recommended and i still love it. Upgraded to amber elec too.

[jorgerios]

This is one of the best product reviews I've found. Good job.

[TheRealUnconnected]

Thank you, just purchased this in Puple Transparent! my first ever retro handheld. I can't wait to replay my favourites from the good old days with my Game Boy, Game Boy Colour and N64. I was so tempted to go for the XX+ because it has that retro look, but realistically having a console that can play N64 but doesn't have sticks is just silly. Hopefullly GarlicOS can release soon for this system. EDIT: also a big thank you for showing the smudges on the black device, i know that kind of finish, it smuges and scratches overtime and then eventually wears off. As much as i like the black look your review really showed me that purple is the smarter choice for durability.

[belak]

The extra problem with writing custom firmware for the RG35XX Plus (and in extension the RG35XX H) is that the H700 SOC is fairly new and not very well documented at all. Allwinner doesn't provide any programming guides for it, and as mentioned Anbernic doesn't seem willing to share the source code needed to properly boot the device. All custom firmware for the foreseeable future will essentially hack up the stock OS image to use the kernel and bootloader, while putting better software on top.

[megslowvsyew]

I got the H after you talked about the software options for it and the sale. I’m excited to give it a try after your newer review!

[robertmiller]

I'm definitely getting this console. This will be my first handheld since the Dingoo. I have faith that the software will catch up and I will help it where I can.

[TheRealAlpha]

Great review. I agree, I got the RGB30 and it makes this look a bit redundant. It might be cheaper, but this is very much a "get what you pay for" situation where you could add 20 (or so) bucks and get a device with a better screen, custom firmware (w/developer support), and in a similar form factor.

[dcsteele]

It's crazy how much I appreciate your saying hadokenable and shoryukenable. As important as that is for these handhelds, you'd think there would be more 6 button options.

[richarddukard]

Anbernic has been failing the Contra test since the RG350 3 years ago. Finally someone has officially said something about it. It’s inexcusable they’ve gone this long without addressing it