Latest news with #NickFernandez
Android Authority
6 days ago
- Android Authority
The Backbone Pro is the best mobile controller that you absolutely don't need
Backbone Pro The Backbone Pro is the most versatile mobile gaming controller you can buy, with excellent ergonomics and full-size sticks for use as a telescopic controller with your phone, or a Bluetooth gamepad for your tablet, PC, or anything else. Just be prepared to pay for it. It's hard to believe that it's already been nearly five years since the Backbone One controller hit the market (or three for us Android users), but the company has finally launched an upgraded version with an upgraded price. I honestly didn't find too many faults when I reviewed the new Xbox edition of the Backbone One earlier this year, but the Pro version promises to be much, much more than just a mobile controller. But after spending some time with the device, I can't help but feel like the Backbone Pro is almost too much more. Sure, it's the best mobile controller I've ever used, but it's also a great Bluetooth controller for your PC or a dedicated cloud streaming controller. Is this too much for one controller to handle? The everything controller Nick Fernandez / Android Authority Starting with the basics, the Backbone Pro is a telescopic controller, just like the original Backbone One. It has a USB-C port to plug your phone into, plus another USB-C port on the bottom for passthrough charging. There are two sets of phone holder attachments in the box, and now they're big enough that you probably won't have to remove your case. Unlike some alternatives, it doesn't extend wide enough for tablets like the iPad Mini, but phones of all shapes and sizes will fit. The Backbone Pro is compatible with both wired and wireless connections via BLE. The biggest difference is that the Backbone Pro also has Bluetooth. As far as I know, this is the first telescopic controller with both USB-C and Bluetooth connections, which in theory widens the compatibility to… just about any device you have that can play games. The internal battery charges while plugged into your phone, and the BLE connection can last for 40 hours on a single charge, which is insane. For normal use, this means it can replace two controllers in my travel bag. Gone are the days of having a telescopic controller for my phone and a standard Bluetooth controller for my laptop and tablet. This controller can competently cover both roles. Nick Fernandez / Android Authority However, it also allows you to quickly switch between devices, which comes in handy for things like streaming via Xbox Cloud Gaming. Using the same controller, I can seamlessly hop between playing Oblivion on my phone and my PC. The controller needs to be plugged into the phone to make the transition, but once you swap to your PC, you can unplug it and the Bluetooth connection will persist. One notable exception is PlayStation Remote Play. Only the PlayStation Edition of the Backbone One is compatible, and I suspect it has to do with the buttons' labeling. Blame that one on Sony, though you can unofficially get around this limitation if you get the premium version of the PXPlay app (which is absolutely worth it). For every other platform, using a telescopic controller as a standard Bluetooth controller isn't as uncomfortable as I thought it might be before getting my hands on the Backbone Pro, and a big part of that is the improved ergonomics and controls. The Backbone Pro has full-size sticks, which makes a huge difference compared to the smaller sticks on the Backbone One. There's a nice range of motion, similar to a standard Bluetooth controller. It's also more rounded on the back, breaking from the Joy-Con-like flatness of the Backbone One. The only thing that's really missing from the Bluetooth controller experience is any kind of haptic feedback as it lacks rumble. Nick Fernandez / Android Authority The Backbone Pro also takes queues from premium controllers like the Xbox Elite Wireless Controller Series 2 with programmable back buttons. These sit where my ring finger rests, and while most people will use them for first-person shooters, I found them very useful as hotkeys for my favorite emulators. They're much more difficult to hit by accident, but still conveniently placed so they don't interrupt gameplay. Controls are very comfortable, and the full-size sticks are game-changing. One thing that is easy to accidentally hit is the right joystick. It's placed just a little too close to the face buttons, so my thumb bumped it when hitting the X button. It's a minor annoyance in most games, but in some retro games like Super Mario 3, pressing the X and A buttons at the same time is required to jump while running. Nick Fernandez / Android Authority Apart from that, the sticks, D-pad, buttons, and triggers are all excellent. My only complaint is that I wish Backbone had used Hall-effect sticks for better longevity, especially at this price. These standard ALPS potentiometer sticks are certainly fine, but Hall-effect sticks would help extend the lifetime of the controller by avoiding drift over time. Considering the Backbone Pro will likely be thrown in your travel bag, it will be subject to wear and tear. There's a simple solution to this, which is to buy a case. The official Backbone case has a nice felt finish and a very protective design, but it will run you an additional $25 on top of an already expensive controller. If you're already spending the money on the Backbone Pro, buying the case is probably worth it. The everything app Nick Fernandez / Android Authority The thing that really facilitates the Backbone Pro's role as a controller for every device is the Backbone app. While the app was mostly optional for the Backbone One, it's required to access all of the features of the Backbone Pro. As mentioned above, it's used to swap between devices instantly, although you can use the small button on the bottom of the controller to connect Bluetooth manually. The Backbone app tries to do far more than it needs to. You'll also need the Backbone app to install new firmware updates or create controller profiles for specific games. These are great features that are included for free, and if the app had stopped there, I would have been happy. Instead, it does even more. It can be a catalog of all of your games, as well as a recommendation engine for more games you should download. The Netflix-like layout features your installed games in the first line, then mix of news, popular games, free games, streaming services, highlight clips from other players, and more. There's even a built-in emulator for select retro consoles and a rotating library of free games. Nick Fernandez / Android Authority To be honest, it feels like overkill. I say this as someone who sets up an emulation frontend (ES DE) on every Android device that I own because I love having a console-like experience when I connect a controller. There are parts of the Backbone app that I think are useful, but for the most part, I missed the option to remove sections entirely. What's more, these extra features are all tied to a paid subscription. After a seven-day free trial, you're looking at spending $39.99 a year to turn the app into a hub for all of your games and services. You may be able to get a special offer that brings that down to $30 for the first year, but it's still a lot of money for a little convenience. Granted, you also get an extended warranty, one-button screenplay recording, social features, and discounts on accessories like the case mentioned above. Backbone Pro review verdict: The best telescopic controller… but at what cost? Nick Fernandez / Android Authority While I have a few minor nitpicks, the Backbone Pro is still the best telescopic controller I've ever used. It's exceptionally comfortable, and the option to use it as a Bluetooth controller makes it more versatile than competitors like the Razer Kishi Ultra ($149.99 at Amazon) or Kishi V2 ($92 at Amazon). Unfortunately, it's also far more expensive than any of its competitors. It's nearly twice as expensive as the already-excellent Backbone One ($99.99 at Amazon), and at $170, it's roughly the same price as buying both a Backbone One and a DualSense controller. This is positioned as a competitor to premium controllers like the Xbox Elite Wireless Controller Series 2, which was recently bumped up to $200. For this kind of price, no matter how good the Backbone Pro is at everything else, it's fair to expect luxury additions like Hall effect sticks, haptic feedback, tablet support, and more. If budget is no concern, the Backbone Pro will elevate your mobile gaming experience, for everyone else, just get the Backbone One. It's also worth pointing out that we're in the middle of a major shakeup in game pricing, with the Switch 2 slated to cost $450 when it comes out in a few weeks and similar price increases in PlayStation and Xbox consoles. It's hard to say how much of the Backbone Pro's pricing is tied to wider changes in the gaming market, tariffs, or just an inflated marketing budget. While the ticket price will price out most gamers, a $25 case and a $40 annual subscription are also key to getting the most out of the Backbone Pro. That brings the whole kit to the same price range as a full gaming console like the Nintendo Switch Lite ($197 at Amazon) or a capable emulation handheld like the Retroid Pocket Flip 2 ($229 at Manufacturer site). Still, if budget is no concern, the Backbone Pro will elevate your mobile gaming experience. The fact that it's compatible with just about any device you can play games on means it might be the last controller you'll ever need. How much that's worth is a question for you and your wallet. Backbone Pro Great ergonomics • Wired and wireless compatibility • Easy setup and device swapping MSRP: $169.99 A telescopic controller with full-size sticks and Bluetooth compatibility. Need a telescopic controller and a Bluetooth gamepad? The Backbone Pro has you covered. See price at Manufacturer site Positives Great ergonomics Great ergonomics Wired and wireless compatibility Wired and wireless compatibility Full-size sticks Full-size sticks Easy setup and device swapping Cons Expensive Expensive No Hall effect sticks No Hall effect sticks Not compatible with tablets Not compatible with tablets Pricey subscription (optional)
Android Authority
19-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Android Authority
There's one good PS2 emulator on iOS, but I'd recommend another option
Hadlee Simons / Android Authority The PlayStation 2 is arguably one of the greatest consoles of all time, with a library of classic games that's hard to match. Sony finally discontinued the system in 2013, which means that emulators can be one of the only reliable ways to play some PS2 games. There are plenty of great PS2 emulators on Android, but iPhones don't have it so good. Here are your best options for PS2 emulators on iOS. The best PS2 emulators for iOS Before we get started in earnest, it's important to recognize that until very recently, most iOS emulators required a hacked (or jailbroken) device. Apple previously blocked all emulators on the grounds that they can play many games, and every single game has to be approved individually. It's the same reason Xbox Cloud Gaming didn't have an iOS app, as well as countless other services. Apple has slowly eased back on these restrictions, with the first few emulators already hitting the App Store. Currently, there are no PS2 emulators on the iOS store, but that doesn't mean you don't have options. That said, they're not the easiest options. You will need to sideload the first emulator below in order to use it on your device, although you may not need to fully jailbreak your iPhone. If Apple continues to remove restrictions on sideloading after pressure from the European Union, it may be easier to install them in the near future. But for now, you'll have to follow the instructions linked below. Play! The only true PS2 emulator on iOS, Play! supports a range of file formats, such as CHD, CUE, ELF, MDS, ISO, and ISZ. You'll have to sideload, but once you do, the app can scan folders for new game files and categorize them into Recent, Homebrew, and Unsorted lists. Visit the Settings menu before getting started to ensure the best performance. Also, be sure to check the app's compatibility list before loading games. As of this writing about 1200 titles are marked 'playable,' such as Disgaea and Marvel vs. Capcom 2. If something's not listed as playable, it's going to break mid-game if it loads at all. It's worth noting that this app will require even more setup before you can enjoy PS2 emulation on your iPhone, due to restrictions on JIT from Apple. This is an essential component to making the emulator work, and the easiest way to turn it on is to run AltServer on another device on the same network. There are a few other methods outlined here. Without this, games will crash when launched. Importantly, the Play! PS2 emulator also works on web browsers. Compatibility is much more limited though, so don't think of it as a full replacement for a native app. Streaming PS2 emulators Nick Fernandez / Android Authority Unfortunately, the only other option for PS2 emulation on iOS is streaming it from another device. This is pretty easy via a PC or Mac with a variety of free apps. Of course, you'll still need to install a PS2 emulator, but your options on other platforms are much less limited. PCSX2 is the gold standard on Windows, Linux, and MacOS, with great performance even on weaker machines. Once installed on your desktop, you can install a local streaming app like Steam Link or Moonlight from the App Store to play them on your iPhone. For Steam Link specifically you'll need to add the emulator to your library as a non-Steam game, but that's a relatively simple process. For now, I think this method is the best choice for PS2 emulators on iOS. Without native JIT support, even the latest iPhones won't be capable of emulating PS2 games. For streaming, all you need is a mediocre PC or Mac.
Android Authority
18-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Android Authority
I can't believe how good the Retroid Pocket Classic is at this price
Retroid Pocket Classic The Retroid Pocket Classic features a new chipset with exceptional retro gaming performance for the price. Combined with the best screen in the biz, this is the new vertical handheld to beat. The Retroid Pocket Classic feels like it took second string to the Pocket Flip 2 when they were both announced earlier this year. The Game Boy-esque handheld was tucked away in the back of the promotion image, and details didn't emerge until weeks later. Sure, some of that was due to the new chipset, which was still unannounced at the time. However, the Pocket Flip 2 felt like it was getting the lion's share of attention, with the Classic being a kind of experimental device for the company. After all, it's the company's first vertical handheld since its first device in 2020. After testing both devices, the Classic is easily my favorite. I cannot believe how good this DMG-style handheld is, and it's made me incredibly excited about the future of Android gaming handhelds in a way I had not expected. A Game Boy for the modern (retro) gamer Nick Fernandez / Android Authority When I first opened the box, I was surprised by just how large the Retroid Pocket Classic is. It's significantly larger than my previous everyday carry vertical handheld, the TrimUI Brick, and roughly the same size as the Pocket Flip 2 when closed. It's also incredibly light. The best way I can describe it is that it feels like a Game Boy with the batteries removed. It's comfortable to hold, to be sure, but it has a strangely hollow feeling, especially toward the bottom. At this point, it's worth pointing out that there are several design options. Most have a standard Game Boy-like layout, with a D-pad and four face buttons. However, the Classic 6 variant features six buttons, taking inspiration from Sega consoles. Nick Fernandez / Android Authority That's the variant that I grabbed for this review, despite falling on the Nintendo side of the aisle when I was younger. I was a late convert to Sega consoles, but I figured the extra buttons would always come in handy as hotkeys when playing consoles with standard layouts. They can also serve as the C buttons for N64, although emulating that console on the Pocket Classic isn't ideal without a stick. There are four- and six-button variants of the Pocket Classic. The Classic 6's buttons are also different in design, with three concave A B C buttons and three smaller X Y Z buttons. These buttons were my least favorite part of the device. They have very little resistance and a loud clacky sound when pressed. I would feel very self-conscious playing this in a quiet place in public, let alone in bed next to my spouse while she's trying to sleep. They're also fairly small. As mentioned above, the Pocket Classic is fairly large, so there's plenty of real estate for larger buttons. The volume and power buttons on the side, while not overly important, also feel downright cheap compared to the rest of the device. Nick Fernandez / Android Authority The triggers and D-pad, on the other hand, are great. I almost wish Retroid had gone with a shield design similar to those used by Sega in the 90s for the Classic 6 model, but I suspect it's hard to find a matching off-the-shelf component nowadays. In any case, it's great for everything from platformers to fighting games. The mono speaker is more than serviceable, and it gets nice and loud considering the size. There's a handy headphone jack on the top of the device for better sound, plus Bluetooth 5.1 support for wireless audio. But the real star of the show here is the massive 3.92-inch AMOLED screen. This is the same screen found on the premium AYANEO Pocket DMG, and it's by far the best screen available on any vertical handheld available today. The colors are incredible, the blacks are perfect, and the aspect ratio is great for most consoles you'd want to emulate on this thing. It's also very bright, and I had no problem playing in the bright Spanish sun while my son was napping in his stroller. Nick Fernandez / Android Authority Granted, 16:9 systems like the PSP have large black bars. The bars on 3:2 GBA games (seen above) are still manageable, but I wouldn't buy this device for PSP games. The bezels also play a role here. The Classic 6 model I tested and the Retro colorway have light gray bezels, while the other models have darker bezels. I suspect the darker bezels help blend the screen into the body of the device, so you might want to pick one of those colorways if you plan on playing GBA or PSP games. The chipset of the future Nick Fernandez / Android Authority I wasn't sure what to expect in terms of performance, since this is the first device shipping with the new Qualcomm Snapdragon G1 Gen 2 processor. The Pocket Classic was actually announced a few weeks before the processor itself, leading to some cageyness from Retroid in marketing materials. I ran the device through our standard suite of benchmarks (except for anything related to ray tracing, which this chipset does not support), and the results aren't too surprising. On paper, it's similar to the Snapdragon 4 Gen 2, a mid-range processor from 2023 that uses the same 4nm process with two performance cores and six efficiency cores. However, the G1 Gen 2 is designed from the ground up for gaming handhelds, and it shows. It's not made for high benchmarks but for solid performance on a tight budget, with great heat management. Temperatures never climbed beyond 30 degrees Celsius in my testing, although the fan on the back of the Retroid Pocket Classic does have a slight coil whine when placed in Sport mode. As seen in the Wild Life Stress Test, the GPU is wildly underpowered, but emulation relies almost entirely on the CPU. The new chipset has a few other benefits not found in cheaper retro gaming handhelds, including fast charging. In my testing, the massive 5,000mAh battery charged from 10% to 90% in just 45 minutes. Once charged, the device sipped power, lasting well over 12 hours for older systems like SNES and Game Boy Color, and roughly five or six hours on more demanding consoles. I'd love to see capacity-limiting battery health features from Android 15 added to this device, but until then, you'll want to be careful not to overcharge the device. Nick Fernandez / Android Authority Results on paper are one thing, but after testing emulation performance, I have to say this chipset blew me away. As expected, I got great results when emulating everything up to Dreamcast and Nintendo 64, as well as handhelds like the PSP and Nintendo DS. However, I was surprised that it could easily handle many PS2 and GameCube games. Demanding games will run slow, but the JRPGs and strategy games that I enjoy run at a consistent 60fps. I'm really looking forward to replaying Wild Arms 3 on this device. Emulation performance is way better than I expected at this price. In fact, performance was only slightly worse than the Snapdragon 865 found in the Retroid Pocket Flip 2 for relevant games at this aspect ratio. That's impressive considering the Classic is just over half the price of the Flip 2. Benchmark comparisons are heavily skewed toward the Flip 2, but the most significant difference in practice is that it can't handle demanding shaders due to the weak GPU. Lightweight shaders work fine, but you might have to do some experimenting to get the best mix of aesthetics and performance. Nick Fernandez / Android Authority The other asterisk here is Sega Saturn emulation, but that's not necessarily the fault of the chipset itself. Games like Batsugun and Sakura Wars loaded and ran ok, but there were graphical glitches and occasional crashes. I'm sure there are ways to make it work, but despite the Classic 6's design, I wouldn't position this as the ideal device for Sega Saturn emulation. There are issues with a few other consoles as well, but they mostly come down to the lack of sticks. For me, this isn't really a bug, but rather a feature. Sticks would make this device far less pocketable and detract from the Game Boy-like design. The small sticks found on these kinds of devices are also generally uncomfortable to use. You can make it work by swapping the D-pad for the left stick and adding an overlay on the screen for the other stick, but that's not a great experience, either. Just stick to D-Pad-focused games. The lack of sticks is a feature, not a bug. Interestingly, while the chipset nailed emulation performance, it suffered from occasional stutters when navigating menus in Android 14. It also lacks compatibility for some Play Store games and apps, both in terms of software and controls. Some apps turned the screen on its side, with no option to rotate it back to its proper position. I suspect many of these quirks will be fixed over time, but one thing that can't be fixed is the lack of video out support. I confirmed with Qualcomm that the chipset simply doesn't support it, so you'll have to look elsewhere to play on a big screen. Regardless, it's extremely impressive how well this chipset performs, and it's made me very excited to see the Snapdragon G2 Gen 2, which is confirmed for the next flagship Retroid Pocket handheld. Retroid Pocket Classic review verdict: The best value in Android gaming handhelds Nick Fernandez / Android Authority With all that said, the most surprising thing about this handheld is the price: it starts at just $119 for the 4+64GB version. I'd recommend bumping that up to the 6+128GB for $10 more, but that's an incredible value for what you're getting here. Sure, you can spend half that on something like the TrimUI Brick ($84.99 at Amazon) seen above, but the Linux-based handheld is smaller, far less powerful, and you lose compatibility with Android games. For more power, you'll have to pay hundreds more for the AYANEO Pocket DMG ($419 at Manufacturer site), which is frankly overkill for a device like this unless you really want a luxury Game Boy clone. The Retroid Pocket Classic is unbeatable in its price bracket. I wouldn't hesitate to recommend the Retroid Pocket Classic, and I suspect it will replace every other vertical handheld in my collection. You'll still have to jump through some hoops to install emulators and a decent front-end like ES DE, but for $120-130, it's worth the trouble. Just think about whether or not you really need those two extra buttons from the Classic 6 edition. This is an incredible first showing for Qualcomm's cheapest gaming-focused chipset and an absolute home run for Retroid. I love this device, and I can't wait to see more handhelds utilize these chips. Retroid Pocket Classic Bright AMOLED display • Exceptional performance • Incredible value MSRP: $119.99 A Game Boy for the modern (retro) gamer The Retroid Pocket Classic offers exceptional retro gaming performance for the price, with a screen that can't be beat. See price at Manufacturer site Positives Bright AMOLED display Bright AMOLED display Exceptional performance Exceptional performance Six-button option Six-button option Great battery life Great battery life Incredible value Cons No video out No video out Middling buttons Middling buttons Some compatibility issues
Android Authority
13-05-2025
- Android Authority
Google wants to make stolen Android phones basically unsellable
Nick Fernandez / Android Authority TL;DR Google is enhancing Android's Factory Reset Protection (FRP) to make stolen phones harder to use by forcing another factory reset if setup wizard bypasses are detected. This upcoming improvement, announced during The Android Show: I/O Edition, aims to block unauthorized use entirely until previous ownership is verified via Google account or screen lock. While Android 15 already strengthened FRP against common bypasses, this new measure will likely debut later this year, possibly in an Android 16 QPR. Smartphones are common targets for thieves because they contain valuable personal data and fetch high prices on second-hand markets. To protect this data, Android includes theft protection features that lock down a stolen phone. While thieves might try wiping phones they intend to sell, Android already has robust protections against unauthorized factory resets. Google announced today that these factory reset protections will become even more powerful later this year. You can factory reset an Android phone in several ways. However, triggering a reset through the Android recovery menu or Google's Find My Device service activates Factory Reset Protection (FRP). During setup after such a reset, the wizard requires you to verify ownership by either signing into the previously associated Google account or entering the device's former lock screen PIN, password, or pattern. Failing this verification step blocks setup completion, rendering the device unusable. Mishaal Rahman / Android Authority An example of a trusted factory reset is when a reset is performed through the menu in the Settings app. Factory Reset Protection has been a part of Android for a long time. It works because Android stores a key in a protected area separate from user data files, ensuring it survives a factory reset. This key is generated when you first add a Google account to the device and is only removed during a factory reset initiated through the Settings app, as this method requires you to authenticate with your screen lock first. FRP activates after resets from the recovery menu (since anyone with physical access can trigger this) or via Find My Device (which usually signals a lost or stolen device), precisely because these methods bypass the standard screen lock authentication required in Settings. Factory Reset Protection (FRP) is a valuable feature that discourages theft by rendering stolen Android phones useless to potential buyers if wiped improperly. However, FRP isn't foolproof; thieves have discovered numerous methods over the years to circumvent it. These bypasses typically involve skipping the setup wizard, allowing someone to use the phone without entering the previous owner's Google account details or screen lock. In Android 15, Google introduced several improvements to Factory Reset Protection specifically designed to make these setup wizard bypasses less effective. For instance, even if someone bypasses the setup wizard, Android 15 blocks them from adding a new Google account, setting a new screen lock, or installing new apps. More importantly, neither bypassing the setup wizard nor enabling the 'OEM unlocking' developer setting will deactivate FRP anymore. The protection remains active, and its restrictions apply until someone successfully verifies device ownership. During The Android Show: I/O Edition, Google announced plans to 'further harden Factory Reset protections, which will restrict all functionalities on devices that are reset without the owner's authorization.' While the company didn't elaborate much, a screenshot it shared suggests that Android will likely detect if someone bypasses the setup wizard and then force another factory reset, preventing unauthorized use until the user proves ownership. Google The screenshot displays a dialog prompting the user to 'factory reset this device.' It explains, 'this device was reset but authentication failed during setup. To use this device, reset again and enter the device's previous screen lock or Google Account credentials.' Presumably, this dialog will appear whenever Android detects a setup wizard bypass, potentially repeating after each attempt until the user successfully verifies ownership. This forces proper authentication and ensures the device cannot be used at all—not even for basic functions like phone calls—without verification, a significant change from previous FRP behavior. Google stated this FRP improvement is coming 'later this year.' Since the stable Android 16 release is coming soon, this timeline suggests the feature won't be part of the initial launch. It might arrive later in one of Android 16's Quarterly Platform Releases (QPRs), but that remains to be seen. Got a tip? Talk to us! Email our staff at Email our staff at news@ . You can stay anonymous or get credit for the info, it's your choice.
Android Authority
12-05-2025
- Business
- Android Authority
The Retroid Pocket Mini is back, minus the unfixable screen issues
Nick Fernandez / Android Authority TL;DR The Retroid Pocket Mini V2 is now available for purchase. It features a new AMOLED screen without the resolution issues of the initial release. It costs $199 and ships this week, with a $10 discount for a limited time. Retroid's latest Pocket Flip 2 and Pocket Classic handhelds might be getting all the attention, but its previous release is still a fan favorite for anyone looking for a truly pocketable retro gaming handheld. The Retroid Pocket Mini is a pint-sized powerhouse, and after being taken off the market for screen issues, it's now available to order once again. The Pocket Mini V2 differs slightly from the original device, with a new 3.92-inch AMOLED display. This is the same display as the vertical display on the Pocket Classic and AYANEO Pocket DMG, but turned on its side. Apart from that, it has the same Snapdragon 865, 6GB of RAM, 128GB of UFS 3.1 storage, 4,000mAh battery, and twin Hall-effect sticks. However, the new listing only has one colorway available: black. Other colorways, including 16 Bit, Saturn, Orange, and SFC, are not available. Retroid is treating this as a limited release, so it's unlikely we'll ever see additional colorways. The Pocket Mini V2 offers the same performance without the screen issues. You can buy the device now for $199 from the official Retroid website, and if you do so in the next few days, you can save $10 with the code V2SAVE10. Devices will begin shipping on May 14, and supplies are limited. Retroid has also promised to pay tariff fees for anything shipped before May 15, although it was announced this morning that tariffs are decreasing from 145% to 30% for the next 90 days. The Retroid Pocket Mini was highly anticipated when it was first released, but buyers soon noticed that something was off with the 3.7-inch screen. Despite an advertised resolution of 1280 x 960, it was downscaling to 1280 x 928, then upscaling back to the full resolution. Pixel-peeping retro gamers quickly noticed that things didn't line up, and eventually Retroid offered refunds and screen replacements. The new 3.92-inhc screen doesn't have the same perfect integer scaling for consoles like the PSX and N64, but it should provide a more reliable experience. Got a tip? Talk to us! Email our staff at Email our staff at news@ . You can stay anonymous or get credit for the info, it's your choice.
