Anbernic RG SP offers a more authentic Game Boy Advance SP experience than the RG 34XXSP

The Anbernic RG SP and RG 34XXSP are highly similar clamshell retro handhelds, but the RG SP delivers a superior tribute to the original Game Boy Advance SP. Both devices are powered by the Allwinner H700 quad-core ARM Cortex-A53 processor and a dual-core Mali-G31 MP2 GPU, paired with 1GB of RAM. In synthetic benchmarks, the RG SP shows a minor performance advantage in memory throughput and CPU tasks, though GPU performance, thermal dissipation, and sustained 30-minute stress testing are virtually identical. Neither device is well-suited for PlayStation Portable emulation, which requires aggressive frame skipping to run. The primary differentiators are physical design and storage. The RG 34XXSP features dual analog sticks, a larger top bezel, and ships with a 64GB MicroSD card for around $68. In contrast, the RG SP lacks analog sticks, resulting in a cleaner, more compact clamshell design that closely mirrors the original GBA SP, shipping with a 16GB card for $65. The RG SP features a 3.4-inch 3:2 IPS display at 720x480 resolution, providing perfect triple-integer scaling for GBA games. However, its dome-switch D-pad requires firmer presses than typical Anbernic controllers, making it less ideal for fighting games.

Tech4K StaffVideo report

The Anbernic RG SP and RG 34XXSP are highly similar clamshell retro handhelds, but the RG SP delivers a superior tribute to the original Game Boy Advance SP. Both devices are powered by the Allwinner H700 quad-core ARM Cortex-A53 processor and a dual-core Mali-G31 MP2 GPU, paired with 1GB of RAM. In synthetic benchmarks, the RG SP shows a minor performance advantage in memory throughput and CPU tasks, though GPU performance, thermal dissipation, and sustained 30-minute stress testing are virtually identical. Neither device is well-suited for PlayStation Portable emulation, which requires aggressive frame skipping to run. The primary differentiators are physical design and storage. The RG 34XXSP features dual analog sticks, a larger top bezel, and ships with a 64GB MicroSD card for around $68. In contrast, the RG SP lacks analog sticks, resulting in a cleaner, more compact clamshell design that closely mirrors the original GBA SP, shipping with a 16GB card for $65. The RG SP features a 3.4-inch 3:2 IPS display at 720x480 resolution, providing perfect triple-integer scaling for GBA games. However, its dome-switch D-pad requires firmer presses than typical Anbernic controllers, making it less ideal for fighting games.

The Anbernic RG SP and RG 34XXSP share the same H700 quad-core processor and dual-core Mali-G31 MP2 GPU. The RG SP features a 3:2 aspect ratio display with a 720x480 resolution, which is exactly three times the scaling of the original Game Boy Advance.

In performance benchmarks, the RG SP exhibits a slight advantage in memory throughput over the RG 34XXSP. Both handhelds struggle with PlayStation Portable emulation, requiring frame skipping for playable framerates.

The RG SP lacks the dual analog sticks found on the RG 34XXSP, resulting in a more compact and authentic clamshell design. The dome-switch D-pad on the RG SP requires firmer presses, making it less ideal for fighting games but suitable for menu-heavy RPGs.

Chapter guide

Introduction and Form Factor ComparisonAn overview of the clamshell design differences between the RG SP, the RG 34XXSP, and the original Game Boy Advance SP.Specifications and PricingA side-by-side comparison of the internal hardware, RAM configurations, bundled storage options, and retail pricing.CPU and RAM BenchmarksTesting single-core and multi-core CPU performance alongside memory bandwidth and latency.Storage and GPU PerformanceAnalyzing MicroSD card read/write speeds and running synthetic GPU benchmarks.PSP and RetroArch Emulation Speed ChecksEvaluating emulation performance across various consoles, including PSP, Saturn, Dreamcast, and Nintendo DS.Build Quality, Display, and D-Pad ImpressionsA close look at the 3:2 display scaling, the stiffness of the dome-switch D-pad, and overall ergonomics.Final Verdict and RecommendationsConcluding thoughts on whether to purchase the RG SP depending on if you already own the RG 34XXSP.

Worth noting

  • The storage speed benchmarks are highly dependent on the specific MicroSD cards bundled by Anbernic, which can vary in quality and performance between production batches.
  • D-pad stiffness and actuation force may vary slightly between individual retail units.

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