Yet another player enters the handheld PC gaming market; and this time it's none other than Anbernic, makers of retro handheld consoles (till now). A couple of months ago, a patent design of the company's alleged Windows-based handheld leaked, which you can see below:

Now, it seems like this handheld has gone past the conceptual stage and will soon be announced. A few hours ago, YouTuber Taki Udon shared leaked images of a new handheld from Anbernic bearing the same form factor as the patented design above. In two of the pictures, the unannounced device is seen to be running Windows.

Given that these are not official news, you might want to take these leaks and news with a grain of salt, but a source close to Anbernic (they, of course, wished to stay anonymous) told GBAtemp that indeed this Windows-based Anbernic handheld is coming soon. While they did not share more details such as specs and an ETA for an official announcement, they did mention that the device could potentially launch with SteamOS installed, making it one of the rare third-party device to run on the system. The source says that SteamOS for the device is already being worked on, with testing underway.

As that this marks Anbernic's first foray into WIndows handhelds and also from the symmetrical joystick form factor that the device bears (akin to the company's previous devices), it might be expected that it won't be a direct competitor to devices like the Steam Deck or AYA NEO. Rather, it would be likely that this handheld will be more of a better emulation device thanks to its SSD (over microSD) and has the bonus of coming with the Steam library. But when it comes to PC gaming, think games like Dead Cells rather than Elden Ring.

But if this device won't directly compete against its beefier counterparts, depending on the price, it could offer an interesting alternative for gamers looking for better handheld emulation and light PC gaming on a decent hardware. In fact, Anbernic has a stellar track record when it comes to the hardware front, as their devices, in particular the metal shell ones, are the best retro devices I've ever used (see the RG350M and RG351M). But even the plastic shell ones were professionally crafted; and hopefully Anbernic brings its hardware expertise to the handheld gaming PC market.

Speaking of hardware, it appears that they have improved some aspects of the form factor with this handheld as it seems to bear an integrated grip for better comfort. The shoulder and trigger buttons are now stacked rather than next to each other, which should also enhance the comfort of using the device. Also noticeable from the leaked images are two new face buttons: what appears to be a home button and a windows button.

As mentioned earlier, given that these are not official news, take them with a grain of salt. But the concept of such a device could prove to be interesting to talk about. Would you be interested in a lower-priced gaming PC handheld with lower specs for emulation and light PC gaming?

Image Source

 

[johnDoe11718]

First, we got GPD Win, then we got Steam Deck. Now, this?

I'm not sure which to choose now.

 

[Xzi]

First, we got GPD Win, then we got Steam Deck. Now, this?

I'm not sure which to choose now.

Steam Deck if you want an all-in-one portable that can play modern AAA games and emulate systems up to/including PS3 and Switch. GPD Win products do the same thing, just at a higher price. Wait on this Anbernic device if you want something a bit cheaper/smaller that can only emulate up to maybe GCN and PS2, and play specific indie games on Steam.

 

[Deleted member 194275]

Looks way better than the deck. Anbernic really do beautiful and well constructed consoles, but usually they are underpowered.

At least, unlike the deck, they sell for everyone, and not only for the choosen ones in the choosen countries.

 

[64bitmodels]

Looks way better than the deck. Anbernic really do beautiful and well constructed consoles, but usually they are underpowered.

At least, unlike the deck, they sell for everyone, and not only for the choosen ones in the choosen countries.

if valve ever made a steam deck lite they better take notes from anbernic. this handheld looks so cute and it'd be disastrous if they didn't take any notes lol

 

[TheSpearGuy]

they are also supposedly making a new android handheld one too

 

[MikaDubbz]

Man, these kinds of devices keep getting revealed every other week it seems. If I personally were in the market for one, I'd probably wait like a year or two and see what all my options are. People are quick to jump on the Steam Deck, but I'd hold off and see if a better choice pops up in the near future.

 

[Deleted member 194275]

if valve ever made a steam deck lite they better take notes from anbernic. this handheld looks so cute and it'd be disastrous if they didn't take any notes lol

The 351MP is the best looking console ever. Too underpowered tho.

 

[MikaDubbz]

if valve ever made a steam deck lite they better take notes from anbernic. this handheld looks so cute and it'd be disastrous if they didn't take any notes lol

I hope they do make a Lite version. My biggest gripe with the Steam Deck is that it's physically too large and the form factor leaves me with a lot to be desired.

 

[TheSpearGuy]

I hope they do make a Lite version. My biggest gripe with the Steam Deck is that it's physically too large and the form factor leaves me with a lot to be desired.

I really like the button layout of the Steam Deck tho. The best of both worlds for modern & retro games

 

[MikaDubbz]

I really like the button layout of the Steam Deck tho. The best of both worlds for modern & retro games

I'm not a fan of the placement of the D-pad and ABXY buttons, but when they also include the touch pads, I'm not really sure how else they could do it any better.

 

[the_randomizer]

Dollars to donuts it's another underpowered Android device that can't run Snes emulation properly

 

[MikaDubbz]

Dollars to donuts it's another underpowered Android device that can't run Snes emulation properly

It's running windows though.

 

[Deleted member 194275]

Dollars to donuts it's another underpowered Android device that can't run Snes emulation properly

looks like it is a X86 device on this leak. Also they are ARM Linux specialists, all their devices use Linux exclusively expect from the latest one that uses dual boot (android and linux).

 

[the_randomizer]

looks like it is a X86 device on this leak. Also they are ARM Linux specialists, all their devices use Linux exclusively expect from the latest one that uses dual boot (android and linux).

Fair enough, still, Windows doesn't really fair well on these devices, usually. Not holding my breath.

 

[seseiSeki]

From me it will good to be a newcomer for buy these devices. My dream to have a portable dreamcast,n64 and psp without the stupid crappy emulation in android it will be blessing and the best part affordable cheaper cpu.

I don't know about the current situation of Dreamcast emulation, but did you know that a few years ago, Reicast was a way better Dreamcast emulator than any other alternative on Windows?
Also, PPSSPP primarily targeted Android devices. It's in their name "Playstation Portable Simulator Suitable for Playing Portably" and you can still see that clearly, when looking at the UI. Even on PC, you can drag scroll the menus like on a phone
And before melonDS got further into development, I'd say that DraStic was the best DS emulator around.
Calling it "stupid crappy emulation on Android" is a bit outdated. Sure, there's a lot of bullshit on the Play Store, but there's also really solid emulators that originated on Android.

 

[the_randomizer]

I don't know about the current situation of Dreamcast emulation, but did you know that a few years ago, Reicast was a way better Dreamcast emulator than any other alternative on Windows?
Also, PPSSPP primarily targeted Android devices. It's in their name "Playstation Portable Simulator Suitable for Playing Portably" and you can still see that clearly, when looking at the UI. Even on PC, you can drag scroll the menus like on a phone
And before melonDS got further into development, I'd say that DraStic was the best DS emulator around.
Calling it "stupid crappy emulation on Android" is a bit outdated. Sure, there's a lot of bullshit on the Play Store, but there's also really solid emulators that originated on Android.

DraStic doesn't even work on newer versions of Android anymore, thanks to that shitty scoped storage BS. It breaks ROM loading from internal storage and Exophase doesn't care enough to fix it. Melon DS is your best bet.

 

[JaNDeRPeiCH]

DraStic doesn't even work on newer versions of Android anymore, thanks to that shitty scoped storage BS. It breaks ROM loading from internal storage and Exophase doesn't care enough to fix it. Melon DS is your best bet.

Yo quit my words from my mouth,thanks to explain it very detailed and will put more information. Budget Cheaper android can only emulate those systems perfect playable with no slowdowns or graphical errors:

*Nes
*gba
*snes
*megadrive
*Nintendo Ds
*gbc
*Gamegear
*turbografx
*neo geo
*ps one
*master system
*any handheld or console underpowered to snes or nes like atari console and msx

If you want to emulate partially good psp,dreamcast and n64 you need high end phone android and those systems have compatibility issues with some games from example god of war (psp version)with a high phone have some issues.its not the same development like windows os . My dream its to have a good handheld windows to have perfect emulation to dreamcast,n64, psp and cheaper cpu budget with windows installed.

 

[Deleted member 194275]

Yo quit my words from my mouth,thanks to explain it very detailed and will put more information. Budget Cheaper android can only emulate those systems perfect playable with no slowdowns or graphical errors:

*Nes
*gba
*snes
*megadrive
*Nintendo Ds
*gbc
*Gamegear
*turbografx
*neo geo
*ps one
*master system
*any handheld or console underpowered to snes or nes like atari console and msx

If you want to emulate partially good psp,dreamcast and n64 you need high end phone android and those systems have compatibility issues with some games from example god of war (psp version)with a high phone have some issues.its not the same development like windows os . My dream its to have a good handheld windows to have perfect emulation to dreamcast,n64, psp and cheaper cpu budget with windows installed.

I believe that any x86 portable device that is coming out will handle dolphin and anything bellow it. GPD already reached this power level 2 or 3 years ago.

CEMU, Yuzu, Ryujinx, RPCS3 are the real challenge.

 

[the_randomizer]

Yo quit my words from my mouth,thanks to explain it very detailed and will put more information. Budget Cheaper android can only emulate those systems perfect playable with no slowdowns or graphical errors:

*Nes
*gba
*snes
*megadrive
*Nintendo Ds
*gbc
*Gamegear
*turbografx
*neo geo
*ps one
*master system
*any handheld or console underpowered to snes or nes like atari console and msx

If you want to emulate partially good psp,dreamcast and n64 you need high end phone android and those systems have compatibility issues with some games from example god of war (psp version)with a high phone have some issues.its not the same development like windows os . My dream its to have a good handheld windows to have perfect emulation to dreamcast,n64, psp and cheaper cpu budget with windows installed.

My point still stands, Exophase will never fix DraStic to work on newer Android versions.

 

[LightyKD]

This thing might end up being an arm and a leg but I want this device to be cheap. I would really love to see a company try to create a 300 or under Windows gaming portable with the cheapest parts around. Like, do we really need DDR5 RAM or a 1080p screen? Pull a Nintendo, take the best old parts and come up with something creative. Every gaming PC I have had in the past decade has been this. DDR3 Ram, LGA-1155 CPU and a fairly "new" but mid range GPU and BAM, I'm playing the latest games at 720p ultra, lol.