Miyoo Mini Plus vs Anbernic RG34XX: The Ultimate Budget Showdown
These two devices dominate the sub-$70 retro handheld market, and for good reason. But which one should YOU buy? Let's dive deep into this comparison to help you decide.
Quick Verdict
🏆 Winner: Miyoo Mini Plus - Better overall value with WiFi and superior community support
🥈 Runner-up: Anbernic RG34XX - Perfect if you love Game Boy Advance and prefer vertical form factor
Specs Comparison
| Feature | Miyoo Mini Plus | Anbernic RG34XX |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $65.99 (was $79.99) | $59.99 |
| Screen | 3.5" IPS | 3.5" IPS |
| Resolution | 640x480 | 640x480 |
| CPU | ARM Cortex-A7 1.2GHz | ARM Cortex-A9 1.5GHz |
| RAM | 128MB | 256MB |
| WiFi | ✅ Yes | ❌ No |
| Battery | 3000mAh | 3300mAh |
| OS | OnionOS | GarlicOS |
| Form Factor | Horizontal | Vertical (GBA-style) |
| Weight | 110g | 165g |
| Dimensions | 96×81×16mm | 98×87×23mm |
Design & Build Quality
Miyoo Mini Plus
The Miyoo Mini Plus lives up to its name - it's incredibly compact and portable. The horizontal layout feels natural for most retro games, and the all-plastic build is surprisingly solid despite the low price.
Pros:
- Ultra-portable
- Comfortable to hold for hours
- Clean, minimal design
- Lightweight
Cons:
- Plastic feels cheaper than RG34XX
- Buttons are a bit mushier
Anbernic RG34XX
The RG34XX channels classic Game Boy vibes with its vertical form factor and slightly more premium build. It's noticeably heavier but feels more substantial.
Pros:
- Better button quality
- Authentic retro aesthetic
- More premium feel
- Larger battery
Cons:
- Bulkier and heavier
- Not as pocketable
Winner: RG34XX for build quality, Miyoo Mini Plus for portability - TIE
Screen Quality
Both devices sport 3.5" IPS displays at 640x480 resolution, and honestly, they're nearly identical in real-world use.
Color Accuracy: Both excellent
Brightness: Both very bright
Viewing Angles: Both great
Size: Perfect for retro games
The Miyoo's screen might have slightly better color reproduction, but you'd need them side-by-side to notice.
Winner: TIE - Both are excellent
Performance
Miyoo Mini Plus Performance
Perfect (60fps+):
- Game Boy / GBC / GBA
- NES / Famicom
- SNES / Super Famicom
- Genesis / Mega Drive
- Game Gear
- PS1 (most games)
Playable (40-60fps):
- Some demanding PS1 games
- Simple PSP games
- Basic N64 titles
Not Recommended:
- PSP (most games)
- Dreamcast
- N64 (demanding titles)
Anbernic RG34XX Performance
Perfect (60fps+):
- Everything Miyoo Mini does
- PS1 (all games full speed)
- Slightly better N64 performance
Playable (40-60fps):
- More PSP games than Miyoo
- More N64 titles
Not Recommended:
- Dreamcast
- GameCube
- PS2
Winner: RG34XX - Slightly better specs give it an edge
Software & Ease of Use
OnionOS (Miyoo Mini Plus)
OnionOS is beloved by the community for good reason:
- Beautiful, intuitive UI
- Easy ROM management
- Excellent save state system
- WiFi file transfers
- Regular updates
- Massive theme library
GarlicOS (RG34XX)
GarlicOS is simpler but effective:
- Clean, straightforward interface
- Quick boot times
- Solid save states
- Good theme support
- Stable and reliable
Winner: Miyoo Mini Plus - OnionOS + WiFi is a game-changer
Battery Life
- Game Boy games: 8-10 hours
- PS1 games: 6-7 hours
- Charges in ~2.5 hours
- Game Boy games: 9-11 hours
- PS1 games: 7-8 hours
- Charges in ~3 hours
The RG34XX's larger battery gives it a slight edge, but both offer excellent battery life for portable gaming.
Winner: RG34XX - Slightly longer runtime
Form Factor & Comfort
This is highly subjective!
Miyoo Mini Plus shines for:
- Games designed for horizontal screens (most systems)
- Maximum portability
- Pocket carry
- Modern gaming habits
RG34XX excels for:
- Game Boy / GBC / GBA games
- Retro aesthetic lovers
- Longer gaming sessions (better ergonomics)
- Those with larger hands
Winner: Depends on preference - Try both if possible!
WiFi: The Miyoo's Secret Weapon
The Miyoo Mini Plus's WiFi might seem like a small feature, but it's huge for convenience:
✅ Transfer ROMs wirelessly
✅ No SD card removal needed
✅ Update firmware easily
✅ Sync saves to cloud
✅ Browse files from phone/PC
The RG34XX requires you to remove the SD card or use a cable every time you want to add games.
Winner: Miyoo Mini Plus - This feature alone justifies the extra $6
Community Support
Both devices have active communities, but there are differences:
Miyoo Mini Plus
- Larger, more active community
- More YouTube tutorials
- Better documentation
- More frequent firmware updates
- Huge theme library
- Active Discord
RG34XX
- Growing community
- Good documentation
- Regular firmware updates
- Decent theme selection
- Active subreddit
Winner: Miyoo Mini Plus - Larger community = more support
Value for Money
Miyoo Mini Plus: $65.99
- WiFi (+$15 value)
- OnionOS (superior software)
- More portable
- Better community
- Value Score: 9/10
Anbernic RG34XX: $59.99
- $6 cheaper
- Better performance
- Premium build
- Longer battery
- Value Score: 8.5/10
Winner: Miyoo Mini Plus - WiFi and community support tip the scales
Who Should Buy What?
Buy the Miyoo Mini Plus if:
✅ You want the most popular, well-supported device
✅ WiFi convenience is important
✅ Maximum portability is a priority
✅ You play a variety of systems
✅ You're new to retro handhelds
✅ You value community support
Buy the Anbernic RG34XX if:
✅ You primarily play Game Boy Advance
✅ You prefer vertical form factor
✅ You want the best build quality under $60
✅ WiFi doesn't matter to you
✅ You have larger hands
✅ Battery life is your top priority
Final Recommendation
For most people, I recommend the Miyoo Mini Plus. The WiFi feature alone makes it worth the extra $6, and the superior community support means you'll always have help when you need it.
However, if you're specifically focused on Game Boy Advance games or prefer the vertical form factor, the RG34XX is an excellent choice at a lower price point.
Where to Buy
Miyoo Mini Plus - $65.99 (Save 17%)
Anbernic RG34XX - $59.99
Buy from Anbernic → Read our full RG34XX review →
Still Can't Decide?
Use our interactive comparison tool to see these devices side-by-side with detailed specs, or check out our beginner's buying guide for more advice on choosing your first retro handheld.
Want to see all your options? Browse our complete device catalog for more retro handhelds at every price point.
