ANBERNIC has made a significant announcement, revealing its first device of 2025, the RG-557. This new handheld gaming console boasts a large 5.48-inch HD AMOLED display and is touted to be the most powerful model the company has released to date.
With the capability to emulate Wii U games and upscale PS2 titles, the RG-557 may provide serious competition to established devices like the Retroid Pocket 5. After a notably busy year in 2024, in which ANBERNIC released twelve devices, the RG-557 stands out with anticipated advanced features.
Although the company has yet to disclose complete specifications, early indications suggest that the handheld may be powered by either the Snapdragon G2 Gen 1 or Gen 2 processor. This would represent a significant upgrade, as its predecessor, the RG-556, only utilized a budget UNISOC Tiger T820 chipset, limiting its capabilities to PS2 emulation.
Videos and early demonstrations have shown the RG-557 effectively handling demanding Android games, along with the challenging Wii U and PS2 titles, a feat that was beyond what the RG-556 could manage. A similar device was observed at CES earlier this year, and if the final version mirrors that prototype, it is expected to feature 8GB of RAM and a Snapdragon G2 Gen 1 SoC.
While we don’t have specific pricing or a release date yet, the RG-557 is predicted to exceed the ~$170 cost of its predecessor. ANBERNIC is recognized for its affordable mid-range gaming handhelds, so the RG-557 is likely to be positioned competitively within that market.
If rumors hold true, this handheld could very well be ANBERNIC’s most powerful offering yet.
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