Updated Thoughts: Anbernic RG Slide – A Modern Take on a Classic Design

P'Nick
Jun 16
3 min read

Hey there fam 👋

Today I want to talk about a new handheld that brings back a really fun idea from the past. It’s called the Anbernic RG Slide. I haven’t had a chance to try it myself yet, but from everything we’ve seen so far, it looks like it could be a great device for retro gaming fans, especially those who remember the PSP Go.

Sliding into Nostalgia

Do you remember the PSP Go? It was the little handheld where you slid the screen up to reveal the controls underneath. It felt futuristic at the time and gave you that special moment when the screen snapped into place. The RG Slide brings back that same feeling, but with modern upgrades.

This one is a bit bigger and heavier than the PSP Go. The RG Slide is about 15.4 x 9 x 2.6 cm, which is around 6.1 x 3.5 x 1 inches, and it weighs 379 grams, or about 13.4 ounces. That means it might feel more solid in your hands. It’s not pocket-sized, but it looks strong and sturdy. You can choose between a clean white version or a sleek black one.

The screen is 4.7 inches, with a sharp 1280 x 960 resolution in a classic 4:3 aspect ratio.

That’s a perfect shape for most retro games. It also has a smooth 120Hz refresh rate and 500 nits of brightness, so it should look good both indoors and outside in bright light.

Reliable Power Inside

The RG Slide runs on the Unisoc T820 chip, the same one that Anbernic already used in other devices like the RG Cube. Since it’s been used before, it should be well-optimized from the start. That means fewer bugs and smoother performance right out of the box.

You also get 8GB of RAM and 128GB of storage, which is more than enough for emulators, games, and even Android apps. Since this device runs on Android 13, you can play retro console games like PS2, GameCube, Wii, or even newer mobile games. You can also install your favorite emulators and game launchers, just like you would on a smartphone.

Cool AI Features for Retro Gamers

One of the newest things Anbernic added is an AI assistant. It might sound a little strange at first, but it actually has a really useful feature. The AI can translate on-screen game text in real time. So, if you want to play a Japanese RPG or a Chinese-only visual novel, this AI can help you understand what’s going on right away. No need to wait for fan translations.

Besides that, the AI can also chat with you and even generate images from text prompts. It’s a fun extra for people who want to try something different.

Battery, Wi-Fi, and Connections

The RG Slide has a 5000mAh battery, which Anbernic says should give about 6 hours of playtime. It charges with USB-C, and a full charge takes around 3 hours. You also get Wi-Fi (2.4GHz and 5GHz) and Bluetooth 5.0, so you can go online or connect wireless controllers with no trouble.

There’s even a tiny fan port, which means this device has active cooling. That should help keep things cooler when you’re playing big games for a long time.

Looks Promising So Far

Even though I haven’t held one in my hands yet, everything I’ve seen makes the RG Slide look like a fun mix of old and new. The sliding screen gives it personality, the T820 chip has already proven itself, and the AI tools are a nice surprise for people who love Japanese or Chinese games.

If you’re someone who loves the idea of classic handhelds but also wants modern features, the RG Slide might be worth watching. It’s expected to cost under 200 US dollars, and with its release planned for June 20, 2025, it’s not far away at all.

Where to Buy

If you’re ready to check it out, here are the links where you can get it directly from Anbernic:

And don’t worry, once Anbernic adds the RG Slide to AliExpress, I’ll update this blog post with those links too!

That’s all for now. Let me know what you think of the RG Slide in the comments below, or come chat with us over on the Anbernic Annex section of the forum. I’d love to hear your thoughts, questions, or even just which color you’re leaning toward.

See you next time! 👋

P’Nick ✨