The Anbernic RG Slide is an Android-powered handheld with a sliding design inspired by the PSP Go. After testing, the device has some quirks but offers a distinctive gaming experience in a crowded handheld market.
Get the Anbernic RG Slide from LitNXT.
The Anbernic RG Slide features a sliding design.
First Impressions: Size and Weight
The moment you unbox the RG Slide, you'll immediately notice its substantial size. At 380g, this device weighs roughly the same as a Nintendo Switch, which might come as a surprise given its compact appearance when closed. The device has a distinctly mid-2000s bulk to it, reminiscent of those chunky slide-out phones from that era—think T-Mobile Sidekick rather than the sleek PSP Go.
Don't let the size fool you, though. This bulk serves a purpose: housing full-size controls, a larger battery, and better thermal management. The metal frame on the back provides excellent structural integrity, making the device feel premium despite its weight.
The sliding mechanism is sturdy with a snap when opening and closing.
The Sliding Mechanism
The sliding mechanism is the device's main feature. The tactile "snap" when opening and closing feels solid. Anbernic configured the slide to work with sleep mode—close it to sleep, open it to resume. This works well with frontends like Emulation Station.
You can configure the slide behavior in the settings, and the spring mechanism requires just the right amount of force—enough to prevent accidental opening in your pocket, but not so much that it becomes cumbersome. The loud "clack" sound when it fully opens might catch you off guard initially, but it's part of the device's character.
Specifications
The RG Slide includes these specifications:
- Display: 4.7-inch LTPS touch display (1280 x 960 resolution, 120Hz refresh rate, 500 nits brightness)
- Processor: Octa-core Unisoc T820 CPU (1xA76@2.7GHz + 3xA76@2.3GHz + 4xA55@2.1GHz)
- GPU: Quad-core Mali-G57
- RAM: 8GB
- Storage: 128GB internal
- Battery: 5000mAh
- OS: Android 13
- Connectivity: 2.4/5G WiFi & Bluetooth 5.0
The 4:3 aspect ratio screen works well for retro games, eliminating black borders on classic systems. The 960p resolution provides 2x integer scaling for Dreamcast, PS1, Sega Saturn, and Nintendo 64, producing sharp visuals.
The 4.7-inch 120Hz display provides good image quality with proper scaling for retro games.
Display Quality
The LTPS (Low-Temperature Polysilicon) display is a first for Anbernic, offering better performance than traditional screens. The 120Hz refresh rate enables advanced features like black frame insertion (BFI) for improved motion clarity, though this comes at the cost of battery life and requires cranking brightness to 90%.
For most users, running at 60Hz with standard brightness will provide the best balance of quality and battery life. The screen's contrast and color saturation are excellent, though it lacks the deep blacks of OLED displays. White hues are perfectly exposed, and dark areas maintain good detail, making it ideal for GameCube and PS2 games.
The 960p resolution works well when upscaling retro content. Games like Super Mario 64 or Sonic Adventure look good at 2x resolution, filling the 4.7-inch screen with clear visuals.
Performance: What Can It Actually Play?
The Unisoc T820 chipset is familiar territory—we've seen it in devices like the RG406V. Here's what you can expect:
Excellent Performance (Full Speed)
- Game Boy / Game Boy Color / Game Boy Advance: Runs well
- Nintendo Entertainment System / Super Nintendo: Runs well
- PlayStation 1: Runs well with upscaling
- Nintendo 64: Good performance, though button mapping can be quirky
- Dreamcast: Runs well at 2x resolution
- PlayStation Portable: Most games run well at 3x resolution
Good Performance (Mostly Full Speed)
- Nintendo GameCube: Most games run well at 2x resolution using Vulkan backend. Games like F-Zero GX may require PAL versions or 1x resolution
- Nintendo Wii: Generally good at 1x resolution with 4:3 aspect ratio set in Dolphin
- Sega Saturn: Works well with YabaSanshiro core in RetroArch (performance-focused, not accuracy-focused)
Challenging Performance (Requires Tweaking)
- PlayStation 2: This is where the RG Slide struggles. Most games require native (1x) resolution, PAL versions for 50Hz refresh rate, and sometimes underclocking. Games like God of War II or Burnout Revenge won't run at full speed. Treat PS2 as a bonus feature, not a primary use case.
Key Takeaway: The RG Slide excels at retro gaming through GameCube and Wii, with PS2 being hit-or-miss. If PS2 emulation is your priority, consider devices with Snapdragon processors instead.
Battery Life
Battery performance varies significantly based on what you're playing:
- Best Case (SNES with CRT shader at 60Hz, 50% brightness): 11 hours and 7 minutes
- Worst Case (PS2 at 60Hz, 50% brightness, performance mode): 4 hours and 44 minutes
- Middle Ground (SNES with BFI and 120Hz at 90% brightness): 6 hours and 40 minutes
Standby time is good—the device loses very little battery when closed and sleeping overnight. You can pause mid-game, close the device, and return hours later with minimal battery drain.
The 5000mAh battery provides good battery life for retro gaming sessions.
Controls and Ergonomics
The RG Slide's larger form factor allows for full-size Anbernic controls with rubber membrane buttons. The D-pad and face buttons are responsive and comfortable, though they sit slightly lower than ideal, which can cause some hand fatigue during extended sessions.
The analog sticks are capacitive (not hall-effect) and slightly small, but they're accurate and free from electromagnetic interference. The device feels top-heavy due to the glass screen and metal frame, but you can balance this with your index fingers on the top corners.
Pro Tip: The included screen protector is essential—install it immediately. When sliding the device in and out of your pocket, the screen is exposed, and the tempered glass protector sits nearly flush with the shell.
Software Experience: Android 13 with Room for Improvement
The RG Slide runs Android 13, which opens up possibilities for Android apps, cloud streaming, and various emulators. However, Anbernic's custom launcher and setup experience leave much to be desired compared to competitors like Retroid or AYANEO.
The setup process feels dated and visually unpolished—it does the job but doesn't inspire confidence in the device's premium positioning. Anbernic has included a custom setup process and pre-installed emulators, which is appreciated, but the overall user experience could be significantly improved.
One questionable addition is "ANBERNIC AI," an AI assistant app that overlays in games. It's poorly designed, requires agreeing to terms in Chinese without translation, and feels like a feature nobody asked for. Anbernic would better serve users by focusing on improving their launcher and gaming experience rather than gimmicky AI features.
Video Output: A Workaround Experience
The RG Slide supports video output via USB-C, but the experience is wonky. The device uses a 4:3 projection by default, which works well for retro content but requires switching to "Desktop Mode" for 16:9 content. Finding adapters that work is challenging, and unfortunately, you cannot charge the device while using video output—a significant limitation for docked play.
Who Is This Device For?
The RG Slide is perfect for:
- Retro Gaming Enthusiasts: If you primarily play systems up through GameCube, this device excels
- Nostalgia Seekers: The sliding mechanism and mid-2000s aesthetic will appeal to those who remember that era
- Form Factor Admirers: If you appreciate unique, bold designs that stand out from the crowd
- On-the-Go Gamers: The sleep/wake functionality makes it perfect for quick gaming sessions
The RG Slide is NOT ideal for:
- PS2-Focused Users: While it can play some PS2 games, the experience is compromised
- Pocket Portability Seekers: If you want a truly pocketable device, this is too bulky
- Budget-Conscious Buyers: At $190 retail (plus shipping), it's expensive for the chipset performance
- Ergonomics Purists: The form factor, while unique, isn't the most comfortable for extended play
Final Verdict
Rating: 7.3/10
The Anbernic RG Slide is a device that grows on you. What initially feels bulky and awkward becomes more comfortable with extended use. The sliding mechanism works well, the display quality is good, and performance through GameCube is solid.
However, the $190 price point is high for a chipset that can't reliably handle PS2. At $150-$160, this would be an easier recommendation. The software experience also holds the device back from feeling premium.
Anbernic tried something different in a market with many similar-looking devices. The RG Slide stands out for its form factor. If you're drawn to its design and primarily play retro games through GameCube, this device may work well for you.
Ready to try the sliding design? Get your Anbernic RG Slide from LitNXT.
Pros
- ✅ Sliding mechanism works well
- ✅ Good display with 120Hz refresh rate and 960p resolution
- ✅ Solid performance up through GameCube
- ✅ Good battery life for retro gaming
- ✅ Full-size controls
- ✅ Metal frame build
- ✅ Good standby battery management
Cons
- ❌ Bulky and heavy (380g)
- ❌ PS2 performance is inconsistent
- ❌ Anbernic's software experience needs improvement
- ❌ Expensive for the chipset performance
- ❌ Cannot charge while using video output
- ❌ Some ergonomic compromises due to form factor
Should You Buy It?
If you've watched reviews, understand the compromises, and still find yourself drawn to the sliding design and unique form factor, you'll likely enjoy the RG Slide. For everyone else, waiting for a sale or a potential second-generation model might be the wiser choice.
Anbernic can create good hardware. The software experience needs improvement to match the hardware quality. The RG Slide is a step in the right direction, but there's room for improvement.
Order your Anbernic RG Slide from LitNXT.
The Anbernic RG Slide is available for $190 (often discounted to $180 during launch periods) with shipping from various retailers. Purchase from LitNXT.
