Miyoo Mini Plus vs Anbernic RG35XX: The Ultimate Budget Handheld Showdown
In the ultra-competitive budget retro handheld market, two devices consistently rise to the top: the Miyoo Mini Plus and the Anbernic RG35XX. Both offer incredible value under $70, but they take different approaches to portable gaming. After extensive testing with both devices, we're here to help you decide which one deserves your money.
Quick Verdict
🏆 Winner: Miyoo Mini Plus - Superior overall package with WiFi, better community support, and OnionOS features make it the best choice for most users.
🥈 Strong Alternative: Anbernic RG35XX - Excellent build quality, classic Game Boy design, and GarlicOS stability make this perfect for GBA purists.
Specifications Comparison
| Feature | Miyoo Mini Plus | Anbernic RG35XX |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $65.99 (17% off) | $55 (21% off) |
| Screen | 3.5" IPS | 3.5" IPS |
| Resolution | 640x480 | 640x480 |
| CPU | ARM Cortex-A7 1.2GHz | ARM Cortex-A7 1.2GHz |
| RAM | 128MB DDR3 | 256MB DDR3 |
| WiFi | ✅ Yes | ❌ No |
| Battery | 3000mAh (~5-6 hours) | 3300mAh (~6-7 hours) |
| OS | OnionOS | GarlicOS |
| Weight | 110g | 130g |
| USB-C | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes |
| Form Factor | Horizontal Pocket | Horizontal Compact |
| Availability | In Stock | In Stock |
Design & Build Quality
Miyoo Mini Plus: Ultra-Portable Champion
The Miyoo Mini Plus is genuinely pocket-sized - and we mean actually fits in your jeans pocket. At just 110 grams and measuring 96×81×16mm, this is the most portable retro handheld that doesn't compromise on screen size.
Design Highlights:
- Ultra-compact horizontal design
- Premium matte plastic finish
- Comfortable D-pad and face buttons
- Minimal bezels around the screen
- Clean, modern aesthetic
Pros:
- Truly pocketable - fits in ANY pocket
- Lightweight for extended play
- Great button tactile feedback
- Clean button layout
Cons:
- All-plastic build (no metal)
- Smaller overall footprint means smaller hands might struggle
- Shoulder buttons are tiny
Anbernic RG35XX: Classic Game Boy Inspired
The RG35XX takes inspiration from the classic Game Boy Advance, offering a slightly larger and more substantial feel. At 130 grams, it's still very portable but has a bit more heft that some users prefer.
Design Highlights:
- Game Boy Advance-inspired design
- Solid plastic construction
- Comfortable grip with subtle curves
- Classic retro aesthetic
- Good button spacing
Pros:
- More substantial feel in hand
- Excellent D-pad (one of the best)
- Better shoulder button placement
- Classic GBA nostalgia factor
Cons:
- Slightly larger and heavier
- Less pocketable than Miyoo
- Thicker profile (23mm vs 16mm)
Winner: Miyoo Mini Plus - The portability advantage is significant if you actually want to carry this device everywhere.
Screen Quality & Display
Both devices use the exact same 3.5-inch IPS display with 640x480 resolution. In our side-by-side testing, we found:
Display Performance
Color Accuracy: Virtually identical - both offer vibrant, accurate colors Brightness: Miyoo Mini Plus is slightly brighter at max settings Viewing Angles: Excellent on both (IPS panels) Screen Size: Perfect for Game Boy, GBA, and 16-bit games
The 3.5-inch screen is the sweet spot for retro gaming - large enough to enjoy detail, small enough to maintain portability. Both displays look fantastic for:
- Game Boy / GBC / GBA games
- NES and SNES games
- Genesis and Master System
- PlayStation 1 games
Winner: Tie - The displays are essentially identical in quality and performance.
Performance & Emulation
This is where things get interesting. Both devices use similar ARM Cortex-A7 processors, but the RG35XX has double the RAM (256MB vs 128MB).
System Compatibility
Both Handle Perfectly:
- ✅ Game Boy / Game Boy Color
- ✅ Game Boy Advance
- ✅ NES / Famicom
- ✅ SNES / Super Famicom
- ✅ Genesis / Mega Drive
- ✅ PlayStation 1 (most games)
Performance Differences:
- Slightly better PS1 compatibility out of the box
- OnionOS has optimized emulator settings
- RetroAchievements run smoothly
- WiFi enables easy ROM transfer
- More RAM helps with demanding PS1 titles
- GarlicOS is rock-solid stable
- Slightly better N64 performance (though still limited)
- Battery lasts a bit longer
Real-World Gaming
After testing 50+ games across both devices:
PS1 Games:
- Final Fantasy VII: Flawless on both
- Tekken 3: Miyoo has slight framerate advantage
- Gran Turismo: Both struggle with demanding tracks
- Castlevania SotN: Perfect on both
Winner: Slight edge to Miyoo Mini Plus - OnionOS's optimizations give it a small performance edge on demanding titles.
Operating Systems: OnionOS vs GarlicOS
This is arguably the most important difference between these devices.
OnionOS (Miyoo Mini Plus)
What Makes It Special:
- ✅ WiFi ROM Transfer - Copy games over network, no SD card removal needed
- ✅ RetroAchievements - Built-in support with notifications
- ✅ Activity Tracker - See your gaming stats
- ✅ Themes & Customization - Extensive visual options
- ✅ Regular Updates - Active community development
- ✅ Game Scrapers - Auto-download game artwork
User Experience: OnionOS feels modern and feature-rich. The WiFi integration alone is worth the price premium - you'll never need to eject the SD card. Just turn on WiFi, connect to your network, and transfer ROMs directly from your PC.
Best For:
- Users who value convenience
- Achievement hunters
- Those who frequently add new games
- Users who like customization
GarlicOS (Anbernic RG35XX)
What Makes It Special:
- ✅ Rock-Solid Stability - Rarely crashes, just works
- ✅ Simple Interface - Easy to navigate
- ✅ Great Battery Life - Efficient power management
- ✅ RetroArch Integration - Advanced users can tweak
- ✅ Fast Boot Times - Quick to get gaming
- ✅ Lightweight - Minimal bloat
User Experience: GarlicOS is the "set it and forget it" option. It's simple, stable, and focused entirely on playing games. The interface is clean and straightforward, perfect if you just want to play without tinkering.
Best For:
- Users who want simplicity
- Those who prefer stability over features
- Gamers who don't need WiFi
- Classic gaming purists
Winner: Miyoo Mini Plus (OnionOS) - WiFi ROM transfer is a game-changer for daily use. GarlicOS is great, but OnionOS offers more value.
Battery Life & Charging
Miyoo Mini Plus
- Capacity: 3000mAh
- Real-World Usage: 5-6 hours
- Charge Time: ~2.5 hours
- USB-C Charging: Yes
- Play While Charging: Yes
Anbernic RG35XX
- Capacity: 3300mAh
- Real-World Usage: 6-7 hours
- Charge Time: ~3 hours
- USB-C Charging: Yes
- Play While Charging: Yes
Both devices offer excellent battery life for portable gaming. The RG35XX's slightly larger battery gives it about 1 hour more playtime in our testing.
Winner: Anbernic RG35XX - Noticeably better battery life for long gaming sessions.
Value & Pricing
Miyoo Mini Plus - $65.99
What You Get:
- Ultra-portable device
- WiFi connectivity
- OnionOS with premium features
- Active community support
- RetroAchievements built-in
Value Proposition: The WiFi alone justifies the $11 premium over the RG35XX. You're paying for convenience and a better overall user experience.
Buy if:
- You value portability above all
- WiFi ROM transfer appeals to you
- You want the most features
- RetroAchievements matter to you
Anbernic RG35XX - $55
What You Get:
- Solid build quality
- Excellent D-pad
- GarlicOS stability
- Classic GBA form factor
- Better battery life
Value Proposition: At $55, this is the cheapest quality retro handheld you can buy. It sacrifices WiFi but delivers rock-solid performance and better battery life.
Buy if:
- Budget is your top priority
- You prefer classic Game Boy design
- WiFi isn't important to you
- You want the best D-pad
- Battery life matters most
Winner: Depends on Your Priorities
- Best Overall Value: Miyoo Mini Plus (WiFi + features worth $11)
- Best Budget Value: RG35XX (lowest price for quality)
Community & Support
Miyoo Mini Plus Community
- Discord: Active with 10,000+ members
- Reddit: r/MiyooMini with constant activity
- Custom Firmware: OnionOS team very responsive
- ROM Packs: Extensive curated collections
- Support: Excellent community help
Anbernic RG35XX Community
- Discord: Large Anbernic community
- Reddit: r/ANBERNIC with good activity
- Custom Firmware: GarlicOS is mature and stable
- ROM Packs: Standard RetroArch packs work great
- Support: Good but less focused than Miyoo
Winner: Miyoo Mini Plus - More focused community and better firmware support.
Who Should Buy Which?
Buy the Miyoo Mini Plus If:
✅ You want the most portable option
✅ WiFi ROM transfer sounds amazing
✅ You like RetroAchievements
✅ You value features over battery life
✅ You want a modern, feature-rich experience
✅ You're willing to pay $11 more for convenience
Perfect For: Modern gamers who want cutting-edge features in a retro package.
Buy Miyoo Mini Plus - $65.99 →
Buy the Anbernic RG35XX If:
✅ Budget is your top concern
✅ You prefer classic Game Boy design
✅ Battery life is more important than WiFi
✅ You want the simplest, most stable experience
✅ You have a great D-pad preference
✅ You don't mind removing SD card for ROMs
Perfect For: Retro gaming purists who want the best value and don't need modern features.
Buy Anbernic RG35XX - $55 →
Final Verdict
After weeks of testing both devices side-by-side, our winner is the Miyoo Mini Plus.
Why Miyoo Mini Plus Wins:
- WiFi is genuinely transformative - Never removing the SD card is worth $11
- Better portability - Actually fits in your pocket
- OnionOS features - RetroAchievements and activity tracking add value
- Active community - Better long-term support and updates
- Modern experience - Feels like a premium device despite the price
When RG35XX Makes Sense:
The RG35XX is still an excellent choice if:
- You're on the tightest possible budget ($55 vs $66)
- Battery life is your #1 priority
- You prefer the classic Game Boy aesthetic
- You want GarlicOS's simplicity and stability
Comparison Summary
| Category | Miyoo Mini Plus | Anbernic RG35XX | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Portability | Ultra-compact | Compact | 🏆 Miyoo |
| Build Quality | Good | Good | 🤝 Tie |
| Screen | 3.5" IPS | 3.5" IPS | 🤝 Tie |
| Performance | Excellent | Excellent | 🤝 Tie |
| Battery Life | 5-6 hours | 6-7 hours | 🏆 RG35XX |
| Operating System | OnionOS (Feature-Rich) | GarlicOS (Stable) | 🏆 Miyoo |
| WiFi | ✅ Yes | ❌ No | 🏆 Miyoo |
| Price | $65.99 | $55 | 🏆 RG35XX |
| Value | Excellent | Excellent | 🏆 Miyoo |
| Community | Very Active | Active | 🏆 Miyoo |
Overall Winner: Miyoo Mini Plus - 6 wins vs 2 wins (4 ties)
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Can both devices play PS1 games?
A: Yes! Both handle most PS1 games very well. Some demanding titles (like Gran Turismo) may struggle, but games like Final Fantasy VII, Castlevania SotN, and Crash Bandicoot run perfectly.
Q: Is WiFi really that important?
A: For most users, yes. The convenience of wireless ROM transfer means you'll actually use the device more because adding games is effortless.
Q: Which has better battery life?
A: The RG35XX lasts about 1 hour longer (6-7 hours vs 5-6 hours), but both offer enough battery for extended gaming sessions.
Q: Can I upgrade the SD card?
A: Yes, both support larger microSD cards. We recommend at least 128GB for a good game library.
Q: Which is better for Game Boy Advance games?
A: Both are excellent. The RG35XX has a slightly better D-pad, but the Miyoo's OnionOS has better save state features.
Q: Do these come with games pre-loaded?
A: Some sellers include games, but quality varies. We recommend building your own ROM collection legally.
Alternative Recommendations
If neither of these quite fits your needs, consider:
Want Better Performance?
Trimui Smart Pro ($89.99) - OLED screen, handles PSP and Dreamcast
Want Premium Build?
Anbernic RG34XX ($59.99) - Better build quality, vertical design
Want Everything?
Anbernic RG406V ($229.99) - Android, GameCube & PS2 capable
Conclusion
Both the Miyoo Mini Plus and Anbernic RG35XX are fantastic budget retro handhelds that punch way above their price point. You truly can't go wrong with either choice.
Our recommendation: If you can afford the extra $11, get the Miyoo Mini Plus. The WiFi functionality and OnionOS features provide significantly better daily usability. It's the device you'll actually carry with you everywhere.
However, if you're on the strictest budget or strongly prefer GarlicOS's simplicity, the RG35XX is still an excellent purchase that won't disappoint.
Happy retro gaming! 🎮
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