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Retroid fans are losing their minds over potential dual-screened handheld teaser
Retroid fans are losing their minds over potential dual-screened handheld teaser

Android Authority

time11 hours ago

  • Entertainment
  • Android Authority

Retroid fans are losing their minds over potential dual-screened handheld teaser

Andy Walker / Android Authority TL;DR Retroid made a cryptic post linking to a song titled 'Two Heads Are Better Than One.' Fans have been clamoring for a dual-screened handheld for years, and this might finally be it. Recent releases like the Pocket Flip 2 have proven there's interest in unique form factors. Earlier today we got our first look at ANBERNIC's Xperia Play-like sliding handheld the RG Slide, but Retroid has now swooped in to steal the limelight with a single cryptic post linking to a song from Bill & Ted's Excellent Adventure. The title of that song is 'Two Heads Are Better Than One,' and fans are taking that to mean there's finally a dual-screen device on the horizon. Fans have been begging for a dual-screen device that can comfortably play Nintendo DS and 3DS games for years. The closest that's been available so far is the AYANEO Flip DS, but that's a costly Windows-based machine. The upcoming MagicX Zero 40 takes another approach with a very tall screen, but it just doesn't hit the same as an actual dual-screen device. The Surface Duo 2 would be another alternative if it weren't, well, the Surface Duo 2. The recent release of the Retroid Pocket Flip 2, which has a very similar clamshell design as a Nintendo DS but without the second screen, has brought the issue back to the forefront. That device has an auspiciously empty space where the second screen would go. Fans have been asking for a dual-screen handheld for years, and this might be it. While Retroid hasn't confirmed anything, Retroid fans have latched onto the post as confirmation of an upcoming dual-screened device. Community reactions range from a picture of former Nintendo of America President Reggie Fils-Aimé with the text 'My body is ready' to claims that 'Retroid can have my firstborn if they release a half decent dual screen clamshell.' Whether or not the dual-screen handheld is a reality, what's clear is that there's a real desire for unique form factors in the retro gaming handheld space. The Nintendo DS and 3DS are particularly interesting cases, since even the best emulators can't truly replicate the experience with a single screen. As a result, the market for second-hand and modded devices remains strong years after they've been discontinued. Whichever company releases the first affordable dual-screened emulation device will fill a very underserved niche. 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.

I can't believe how good the Retroid Pocket Classic is at this price
I can't believe how good the Retroid Pocket Classic is at this price

Android Authority

time18-05-2025

  • 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

The Retroid Pocket Flip 2 is so close to being my ultimate Android gaming handheld
The Retroid Pocket Flip 2 is so close to being my ultimate Android gaming handheld

Android Authority

time13-05-2025

  • Entertainment
  • Android Authority

The Retroid Pocket Flip 2 is so close to being my ultimate Android gaming handheld

Retroid Pocket Flip 2 The Retroid Pocket Flip 2 is an exceptionally versatile device, with just enough performance for PS2, GameCube, and Dreamcast emulation. It's not the most comfortable to use, but the compact clamshell design nails the retro vibe. There are three home consoles that truly define my adolescence: The Sega Dreamcast, Sony PlayStation 2, and Nintendo GameCube. They were released in a few short years from 1998 to 2001, and to me, they represent the tipping point from retro to modern gaming. Anything after that feels like I should just be playing on a PC. But there is one handheld that managed to recapture that magic: the Nintendo DS. Not only did it have its own amazing catalog of games, I could still play my favorite Game Boy Advance titles in a clamshell form factor thanks to the bottom slot, building on what the GBA SP had started a few years earlier. In 2025, the stars have aligned to bring everything I like into a single device: the Retroid Pocket Flip 2. Sure, it doesn't have two screens like the Nintendo DS, but it has everything else on paper. After testing the device for a few weeks, I think it's the new Android handheld to beat, despite some very minor flaws. Building on the past Nick Fernandez / Android Authority Before I get too far, it's worth mentioning that we've already seen just about every element of the Pocket Flip 2 in the Pocket 5. It has the same Snapdragon 865 processor, the same AMOLED screen, and the same Retroid software experience. Considering the Pocket 5 is widely considered one of the best retro gaming handhelds on Android, that's a good thing. The novelty here is the clamshell form factor. When the box arrived after a lengthy, frustrating delay, I was surprised by its diminutive size. It has a shockingly small footprint for a device with a 5.5-inch screen, taking up roughly the same amount of space as my Google Pixel 9 when sitting on my desk. Granted, it's more than twice as thick. The outside of the device is pretty minimal, with a somewhat divisive circle pattern on the lid. The front edge has a USB-C charging port, a headphone jack, a microSD card slot, and even a lanyard hole in the bottom corner. The back of the device only has an air intake for the fan, which outputs via a vent in the bottom, and the triggers. Opening the clamshell is a little more difficult than it needs to be, with a tiny chamfer that doesn't do much to provide any grip. You will need both hands to open it, but it also won't accidentally open in your bag. The screen only locks into a single 150-degree position, although it does open to nearly 180 degrees. Still, the hinge feels sturdy, and the screen doesn't flop around. I suspect it will hold up much better over time than the first iteration, which was plagued by broken hinges. It also makes a very satisfying thwomp when you shut the lid, which also puts the device to sleep. It's much more satisfying than pressing a power button. The Retroid Pocket Flip 2's display is absolutely gorgeous, with colors that pop and perfect blacks. The HD AMOLED display is absolutely gorgeous, with colors that pop and perfect blacks. It looks very premium, and the fact that it's placed above the controls (rather than between them) means the black bars on older consoles really didn't bother me. Sure, it's not perfect, but with a nice overlay it's surprisingly immersive. There are also a few tricks you can use to make better use of the 16:9 ratio on retro consoles. For example, you can use the bsnes HD beta RetroArch core to extend Super Nintendo games to the edge of the display. It works out of the box for games like Link to the Past and Super Mario Kart, but others like Super Mario World require a simple ROM hack. Nick Fernandez / Android Authority As for the controls, I found them a little cramped. I'm glad Retroid upgraded the sliders from the first model to inset Hall effect sticks, but they're small and placed very high on the device. I have medium-sized hands, but playing first-person shooters that require both sticks and the triggers was pretty uncomfortable. I wish the sticks were just a little closer to the middle of the device, or the triggers were larger so they sat where my finger naturally rests. It's my only major complaint about the device, and unless you have very large hands, it's more than manageable. The D-pad and buttons, however, feel excellent. Again, they're on the small side, but they're nice and clicky. There's definitely a big empty space in the middle of the device (where the second screen goes on a Nintendo DS), and I think there's a small missed opportunity to add a few extra buttons. These could be mapped to hotkeys for emulators to add functionality. As it is, it looks a little bare. The controls are cramped and difficult to use for first-person shooters. The speakers are also tucked away under the controls, and they get crazy loud. The sound quality is good, but I can't imagine a situation where I'd ever push these past 20% volume. They're pointed directly at your face, and you'll never cover them with your palms. Even with the fans at full blast, it's overkill. I picked up the GameCube-inspired colorway, but all four colorways look great. There are also two SoCs to choose from: The Snapdragon 865 and the Dimensity 1100. The Dimensity 1100 version is slightly cheaper, but performance and compatibility are much, much better on the Snapdragon 865. I wouldn't bother with the Dimensity 1100 version. Goldilocks performance Nick Fernandez / Android Authority Focusing on the Snapdragon 865 version, I found it to have just the right amount of power to play the systems I love. Obviously it can play all the old stuff on the lowest power profile, providing incredible gameplay time on the sizeable 5,000mAh battery. You can expect well over 10 hours of battery life on those systems. The extra power comes in handy for things like shaders and filters, which help make games look just how I remember them from my childhood. There's a lot to play around with in emulators like RetroArch, and tinkering can be rewarding for those with the patience. But for me, the sweet spot for Android gaming handhelds is the PS2, GameCube, and Dreamcast era. And there, the Retroid Pocket Flip 2 doesn't disappoint. I saw stellar performance in all three, with upscaling and widescreen hacks for supported games. Generally, any game in the PS2 library should run at 2x upscaling on NetherSX2 Classic without slowdowns; likewise for Dreamcast games on Flycast and GameCube games on Dolphin. Nick Fernandez / Android Authority If you really want to push things, it's possible to emulate up to the Nintendo Switch, but I would not recommend buying this device for it. I've had very mixed success with Yuzu forks like Citron, but there are a lot of caveats. Many games are prone to freezing, graphical glitches, or even shutting down your device. Plus, the only legitimate way to get ROMS involves modding an existing Switch. The bottom line is that if you want to play Switch games, you should probably buy a Switch. However, there are plenty of other ways to tinker with the Pocket Flip 2 that don't run afoul of the gaming's most litigious company. The Flip 2 is the bare minimum I would recommend to try lightweight Windows emulation via Winlator, and there are plenty of drivers to optimize performance. You can also install Linux via ROCKNIX or Batocera, unlocking additional Xbox (Xemu) and PS3 (RPCS3) emulators. The Pocket Flip 2 is an extremely versatile device. Of course, you can also play Android games. There are plenty of controller-compatible games to choose from, and even demanding games like Genshin Impact played just fine on high settings in my testing. Retroid also includes a tool to map controls on the screen for games that aren't compatible. That said, the Snapdragon 865 is starting to feel long in the tooth. It launched way back in 2019, and it's the same SoC found in the Samsung Galaxy S20. It offers solid performance today, but I doubt it will continue to hold its own for more than a few years. Verdict: Is the Retroid Pocket Flip 2 worth it? Nick Fernandez / Android Authority I think the Retroid Pocket Flip 2 is one of the most versatile gaming handhelds you can get, covering all of the consoles that I love while still being nice and compact. The clamshell form factor also means it's much less prone to breaking in a bag, and you can skip screen protectors altogether. For many people, I suspect this can be the ultimate handheld for all their emulation needs. It's not the most comfortable to use or the most powerful, but at $230, it's an incredible value. Sure, you can get the Retroid Pocket 5 for $10 less, but it won't look or feel as cool as the Pocket Flip 2. I suspect the Flip 2 can be the endgame handheld for many people. In terms of competition, there isn't any with this form factor. There are some Game Boy Advance SP clones like the revamped Anbernic RG 34XXSP, but they tend to be more budget-oriented Linux devices. More powerful devices like the AYN Odin 2 line or AYANEO Pocket EVO will run you hundreds of dollars more, and you'll still have to give up the clamshell factor. What's more, Retroid has announced that it will cover tariffs for buyers in the US. You'll need to pay a little more for shipping, but at the very least, you won't have any nasty surprises. For me, the Retroid Pocket Flip 2 has more than earned its spot among the best Android retro gaming handhelds. It's a safe choice for anyone who feels nostalgic for clamshell devices, and I wouldn't hesitate to recommend it as your first, third, or even tenth gaming handheld. Retroid Pocket Flip 2 Beautiful display • Solid emulation performance • Nostalgic clamshell design MSRP: $229.00 A nostalgic clamshell gaming handheld. The Retroid Pocket Flip 2 is an exceptionally versatile device, with just enough performance for PS2, GameCube, and Dreamcast emulation. See price at Manufacturer site Positives Beautiful display Beautiful display Solid emulation performance Solid emulation performance Nostalgic clamshell design Nostalgic clamshell design Excellent battery life Cons Cramped controls Cramped controls Dated Snapdragon 865 SoC

The Retroid Pocket Mini is back, minus the unfixable screen issues
The Retroid Pocket Mini is back, minus the unfixable screen issues

Android Authority

time12-05-2025

  • 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.

US tariffs hit retro gaming: Anbernic suspends console shipments to US
US tariffs hit retro gaming: Anbernic suspends console shipments to US

Yahoo

time22-04-2025

  • Business
  • Yahoo

US tariffs hit retro gaming: Anbernic suspends console shipments to US

US tariffs are having tangible effects in consumer tech, with handheld console maker Anbernic announcing it will suspend shipments to the United States. 'Due to changes in US tariff policies, we will be suspending all orders shipping from China to the United States starting today,' Anbernic's website said. Anbernic produces retro handhelds, including several models heavily indebted to the design of classic Nintendo Game Boy models. The consoles are manufactured in China, making them subject to Donald Trump's newly announced 145 per cent tariff on imported goods. While some consumer tech categories, such as smartphones and laptops, have been granted a temporary 90-day exemption from the tariffs, game consoles are notably not included. It's not game over for US fans of Anbernic's popular handhelds. The company still operates a US-based warehouse and advises American customers to choose this delivery option when ordering. 'We strongly recommend prioritising products shipped from our US warehouse, which are currently not affected by import duties and can be purchased with confidence,' Anbernic said. However, this is only a temporary workaround, as the consoles stocked in Anbernic's US warehouse are still manufactured in China — and therefore still subject to the tariff. Anbernic distributes its products through other retailers, including Amazon, in the US and the UK. It's not the only retro handheld maker affected by the tariffs either: just last week, rival brand Retroid announced limited availability of its new RP Classic console for US buyers. 'All shipping agencies will not accept US-bound packages from China, starting 4/25/25. What does this mean? Suppliers are being overwhelmed with "emergency orders" from all businesses. As such, we will not be receiving our orders for the Teal, Kiwi and Berry shells, prior to 4/25/25,' Retroid wrote on X (formerly Twitter). 'This means that US customers will not be able to receive their orders for these colourways.' One X user asked whether the paused US shipments will be temporary, to which Retroid's account replied: 'We really don't know.' Retro handheld makers offer a compelling case study in how tariffs impact consumer tech. Unlike major categories like smartphones and laptops, these devices weren't granted a 90-day exemption, and, crucially, their development cycles tend to be much shorter than those of industry giants like Samsung, Apple, or Nintendo. It's a fast-moving, highly competitive market where pricing is critical. But what about the handheld generating the most buzz — the Nintendo Switch 2? After initially delaying US pre-orders, Nintendo has confirmed that it won't raise the base price of the Switch 2 for American buyers, at least not yet. However, accessories haven't escaped the impact of tariffs. The Switch 2 dock price has increased from $110 (£82) to $120 (£90), while a pair of Joy-Con controllers now costs $95 (£71), up from $90 (£67). Switch 2 is primarily manufactured in China, but it's estimated that around a third of the inventory is being produced in Vietnam. Reports suggest a million units were shipped from Vietnam to the US in early 2025. While China remains subject to a steep 145 per cent tariff under the latest US trade measures, Vietnam briefly faced a 46 per cent rate, announced by Trump, before the increase was delayed on April 9. For now, Vietnamese-made goods are subject to a standard 10 per cent tariff, making Vietnam a strategic production alternative for Nintendo.

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