The ANBERNIC RG40XXV is the third vertical iteration of Anbernic's popular "XX" family, and it comes with significant improvements: a 4-inch IPS display, the largest in its class, 5G WiFi, Bluetooth, a micro HDMI port for TV, and a D-pad that expert reviewers have hailed as "the best Anbernic has ever put on a device." It doesn't reinvent the wheel, but it refines it to create something that feels complete and ready to play right out of the box.

Price: ~€60-95 | 🛒 Buy on AliExpress

✅ Pros:

• 4" IPS display with ultra-thin bezel — best in its price range

• Exceptional quality D-pad for 2D emulation

• Custom firmware (KNULLI / MinUI) available from day 1

• WiFi 5G + Bluetooth 4.2

• Micro HDMI port for playing on TV

• Customizable RGB lighting around the analog joystick

• 3200 mAh battery (up to 6 hours of gameplay)

• Dual microSD slot (up to 512 GB)

❌ Contras:

• Only 1 GB of RAM — the real limit for demanding emulators.

• PSP and Saturn can be inconsistent

• A single front speaker (not stereo)

• Bluetooth 4.2 — not the latest version

• The stock operating system can be improved — custom firmware is recommended.

🏁 Quick conclusion: If you're looking for a vertical retro console with a large screen, excellent controls, and an active firmware community for under €100, the RG40XXV is one of the best options on the market.

📦 Unboxing and Box Contents

Anbernic RG40XXV handheld consoles 

The box arrives well protected with foam, and inside you'll find all the essentials:

• 🕹️ ANBERNIC RG40XXV Console (in the chosen color: white, translucent black or indigo blue)

• 🔌 USB-C charging cable

• 🎧 Headphones not included

• 📄 Quick Start Guide

• 💾 microSD card with pre-installed games (in packs that include it)

The presentation is clean and functional, typical of Anbernic. The most striking thing about it when you take it out of the box is its compact vertical size and the thin screen bezels—it's visually more impressive than the price suggests.

📋 Key Technical Specifications

🎨 Design and Construction Quality

ANBERNIC RG 40XXV handheld 

The RG40XXV adopts a vertical form factor similar to an original Game Boy, something Anbernic has been advocating since the original RG351V in 2021. The result is a console that fits perfectly in a trouser pocket and, once turned on, displays that 4" screen with ultra-thin bezels that makes everything else on the market look outdated in comparison.

The console is constructed from ABS plastic with a smooth finish on the white model and a translucent texture on the black. It doesn't feel as solid as a premium device, but it doesn't feel fragile either. The ABXY buttons are smooth and responsive, with no friction or dead spots. The D-pad deserves special mention: according to the specialized reviewer Retro Game Corps, it passed their most rigorous tests and is the best Anbernic has made to date—crucial for platforming and fighting games. The L/R and L2/R2 triggers are responsive, though they require little effort, which can lead to accidental presses.

🖥️ Screen and Multimedia

Anbernic RG 40XXV handheld 

The screen is undoubtedly the RG40XXV's strongest point. Its 4-inch IPS display with full OCA lamination (no air gap between the glass and the panel) offers vibrant colors, deep blacks, and wide viewing angles. The 640x480 resolution in a 4:3 aspect ratio is perfect for most retro consoles—the pixels are visible up close, but under normal gaming conditions, the image is sharp and enjoyable.

The RGB lighting around the analog stick is a striking touch that allows you to personalize the console's appearance with 16 million colors. For multimedia, the RG40XXV plays videos in formats such as MP4, MKV, and AVI, and audio in MP3, FLAC, and WAV, among others. The front-facing speaker is mono and decent for the console's size, but for a truly immersive audio experience, headphones via the 3.5mm jack are recommended.

⚙️ Performance and Software

The Allwinner H700 processor is a quad-core Cortex-A53 clocked at 1.5 GHz, which Anbernic has been using in several models of the XX series since late 2023. It's not the most powerful chip on the market, but it's very well optimized for emulating systems up to PS1/N64/Dreamcast.  Anbernic's stock 64-bit Linux operating system is functional and easy to use for inexperienced users, with an intuitive interface that organizes emulators by system. However, the unanimous recommendation from the community is to install custom firmware (KNULLI or MinUI) to unlock the device's full potential.

• KNULLI: Complete firmware with many configuration options, recommended for users who want to get the most out of it

• MinUI: More minimalist and cleaner, ideal for those who prefer simplicity and maximum performance

Both have been available since the console's launch day, demonstrating the excellent support from the retro community for Anbernic devices.

⚡ Battery and Charging

The 3200 mAh battery offers up to 6 hours of battery life under normal usage conditions (medium brightness, Wi-Fi active). With more demanding games or heavy Wi-Fi use, this time may be reduced to 4-5 hours. Charging is via USB-C, compatible with USB-C to USB-C chargers, making it easy to use your phone's charger. A full charge takes approximately 2-3 hours.

🌡️ Temperature and Noise

The Allwinner H700 is a low-power, low-heat chip. The RG40XXV has no fan—the cooling system is passive —and even during long gaming sessions, it barely gets warm on the back. It doesn't have the noise issues that plague some more powerful handhelds. The console can be used comfortably for hours without any overheating.

🔌 Connectivity and Extras

The RG40XXV offers complete connectivity for its category:

• 📶 WiFi 2.4G / 5G — for downloading ROMs over the network, cover scrapers, and online multiplayer on compatible emulators

• 🔵 Bluetooth 4.2 — for connecting external controllers, headphones, or keyboards

• 📺 Micro HDMI — video output for playing on a TV or external monitor

• 🎧 3.5mm Jack — for headphones with quality audio

• 💾 Dual microSD slots — up to 512GB of additional storage for ROMs

• 🔌 USB-C — charging and data transfer

The ability to connect the console to a TV via micro HDMI and add an external Bluetooth controller turns the RG40XXV into a  makeshift mini retro living room hub — something not all handhelds at this price point offer.

🔧 Expansion and Upgrades

The RG40XXV has limited but sufficient customization options:

• 💾 Main MicroSD: Replaceable with cards up to 512 GB (A1/A2 class recommended for better ROM loading speed)

• ➕ Second microSD slot: For additional ROM storage without removing the main card

• 🎮 Firmware: KNULLI and MinUI are free and easy to install — they significantly improve the experience

• 🌈 RGB: Customizable from the settings menu

• 🔧 RAM / CPU: Not expandable (soldered hardware)

🆚 Comparison with Direct Competitors

The RG40XXV stands out for having the largest screen in its price range, the best D-pad, and the most robust firmware support. The Miyoo Mini Plus is its most direct competitor in terms of popularity, although the RG40XXV surpasses it in screen size, 5G WiFi, and HDMI port.

🛒 View Mio Mini Plus |  🛒 See ANBERNIC RG35XX Plus

💬 Reviews on Well-Known Pages

The RG40XXV has received a very positive reception in the international retro community:

• Retro Game Corps (YouTube): Reviewer Russ says he "would recommend it without hesitation" and highlights the D-pad as Anbernic's best feature, as well as the 4" screen as a clear differentiating factor. He only points out that it might not appeal to those who already own a similar device.

• Retrododo.com describes it as a device that "does its job well," adding that "it's good, but not great"—an honest reflection that it meets expectations without revolutionizing the market. The overall score is positive within its price range.

• Retro Handhelds GG: They highlight the screen, the ABXY buttons and the overall quality, although they warn about the excessive sensitivity of the L/R triggers that can generate accidental presses.

• DroiX (video review): They rated the 4" screen as "excellent" and "one of the best displays we've seen on a handheld at this price," and recommend the KNULLI firmware for an enhanced experience.

• AliExpress (ratings): With over 500 units sold and a 4.8/5 rating on top listings, buyers consistently highlight the screen quality, comfortable size, and satisfying retro gaming experience.

• Reddit (r/SBCGaming): The community agrees that it's a "solid recommendation for anyone looking for a vertical laptop with a good screen," and users who installed KNULLI report a significant improvement in performance and options.

🧪 Technical Tests: What I Found When I Turned It On

I turned it on, saw that 4" screen with the ultra-thin bezels, and my first thought was: how can so much display fit into something so small? Anbernic's stock interface loads in a few seconds and organizes the emulators clearly. I installed KNULLI after 20 minutes, and the experience improved noticeably.

⚡ Processor performance

The H700 isn't the most powerful chip on the market, but within its specialty—emulating systems up to PS1/N64—it performs remarkably smoothly. ROM loading times are fast with A2 class microSD cards.

• NES, SNES, Game Boy, GBC, GBA: Perfect at 60 FPS, no drops

• Mega Drive / Genesis: Perfect, no problems at all

• PS1: Excellent in the vast majority of games

• N64: Very good in most titles, some demanding games need tweaking

• Dreamcast: Works well with many titles using the Flycast emulator

• PSP: Variable — simple games run well, demanding titles experience FPS drops

• Saturn: Inconsistent performance, not recommended for this system

🖥️ Screen: the real protagonist

OCA lamination eliminates glare and noticeably deepens colors. I played Castlevania: Symphony of the Night on PS1 for an hour, and the pixel art looked better than on any portable screen I've tested in this price range. The native 4:3 aspect ratio is perfect for most retro games.

🔋 Battery: delivers on its promises

In real-world tests with 70% brightness and Wi-Fi enabled, the battery lasted between 5 and 6 hours of continuous gameplay. Enough for a long train or plane trip.

🌡️ Temperature: cool at all times

Without a fan and with passive cooling, the console barely feels warm after two hours of gameplay. The Allwinner H700 is very energy efficient and doesn't generate any heat issues, even during long sessions.

🎮 Gaming and Emulation

The RG40XXV is designed specifically for retro emulation, and that's where it shines:

🟢 Works perfectly:

• Atari 2600, Coleco, NeoGeo, Arcade (MAME/FBNeo)

• NES, SNES, Mega Drive, Master System, Game Gear

• Game Boy, Game Boy Color, Game Boy Advance

• PlayStation 1 (PS1) — large complete catalog

• Nintendo DS — most games at native speed

• N64 — most titles with minor adjustments

🟡 Works with settings:

• PSP — 2D and undemanding games run well; demanding 3D games experience frame rate drops

• Dreamcast — functional in many popular titles (Sonic Adventure, Crazy Taxi)

• PC Engine CD

🔴 Not recommended:

• Saturn — highly variable and inconsistent performance

• PS2 — no emulation possible with this hardware

• Nintendo Switch, PS3 — not compatible

💡 Emulation tip: Install KNULLI as an alternative firmware. It improves overall performance, adds automatic cover scrapers, built-in retro achievements, and a much more polished interface.

❓ Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Does it include pre-installed games?
It depends on the package you buy. Some include a microSD card with games already loaded. Legally, you must own the ROMs you use, but the console allows you to load your own. Currently, the ANBERNIC RG40XXV retro console, primarily sold on AliExpress, comes with over 5,000 built-in games.

Is it difficult to install custom firmware like KNULLI?
No. The process involves downloading the firmware, copying it to the microSD card, and booting. Detailed guides are available on the official KNULLI website and in the Reddit community (r/SBCGaming).

Can it be connected to a TV?
Yes. The RG40XXV includes a micro HDMI port  that allows you to connect it to your television. You just need a micro HDMI to HDMI cable (not included in all packages).

Does it support external Bluetooth controllers?
Yes. Thanks to Bluetooth 4.2, you can connect PS4, Xbox, 8BitDo, or other compatible Bluetooth controllers.

How many microSD cards does it support?
Two. One for the system and emulators, and another exclusively for ROMs. Each one accepts up to 512 GB.

Does it work as a media player?
Yes, although that's not its primary function. It plays MP4, MKV, and AVI videos, as well as MP3, FLAC, and WAV audio, among other formats.

🏆 Final Conclusion

The ANBERNIC RG40XXV is a retro console that delivers exactly what it promises: a quality emulation experience in a compact vertical form factor, with the best screen in its price range and controls that don't disappoint. It's not the most powerful device on the market, nor does it pretend to be—with 1GB of RAM, it's clearly limited by systems like the PSP and Saturn. But for everything from the NES to the PS1/N64/Dreamcast, it's an exceptionally satisfying machine.

It is ideal for:

• 🎮 Retro gaming enthusiasts who want to emulate everything from Atari to PS1 and N64 with high quality

• 🧒 Gift to children or teenagers as their first retro console — easy to use and durable

• ✈️ Travelers looking for compact entertainment with long battery life

• 🎯 2D emulation purists who value a quality D-pad above all else

• 💰 For those with a limited budget but who don't want to sacrifice screen quality

Is it worth it? Absolutely, especially if you find it for under €80. If you need to emulate PSP or more modern systems, consider upgrading to the more expensive AYN Odin 2 Portal or Retroid Pocket 4 Pro .

🛒 Where to buy it?

💡 Tip: Buying directly from the official Anbernic store or from the official seller on AliExpress usually gets you the lowest price. Amazon may be more expensive, but you get European buyer protection and faster shipping.