ANBERNIC RG DS

ANBERNIC RG DS is a clamshell-style Android gaming device with dual screens, heavily inspired by the Nintendo DS/3DS. Priced in the tens of thousands of yen, it offers an accessible DS-like experience, but compromises are necessary regarding performance and system completeness.
ANBERNIC RG DS
ANBERNIC RG DS thumbnail
ANBERNIC RG DS thumbnail
ANBERNIC RG DS thumbnail
ANBERNIC RG DS thumbnail
SPEC
OSAndroid 14
SoCRockChip RK3568
Form factor Clamshell
SCREEN
Main
4 inch · 640 × 480 (4:3) · 200ppi
IPS / 60 Hz
Sub
4 inch · 640 × 480 (4:3) · 200ppi
IPS / 60 Hz
RAM3GB
STORAGE32GB
BATTERY 4,000mAh
DIMENSIONS160 × 90 × 21.5mm
WEIGHT321g
RELEASE
PRICE $108.00
Features

ANBERNIC RG DS adopts a foldable design reminiscent of classic portable gaming devices. The top surface has a glossy finish, while the bottom has a matte texture, providing high rigidity and a premium feel overall. Its main feature is the dual 4-inch IPS displays, which have a resolution of 640×480 and deliver very clear and beautiful images thanks to OCA full lamination processing. Both screens support capacitive touch panels, enhancing the convenience of emulation.

In terms of interface, it includes compact analog sticks, shallow-stroke buttons with a click feel, and L1/L2/R1/R2 buttons on the back. It uses the Rockchip RK3568 SoC, which has the performance to comfortably run titles from the DS, PS1, and some N64 generations.

Specifications

Shape: Dual-screen clamshell (DS/3DS style)

OS: Android 14 (No Google Play support, no OTA support)

Screen: Dual 4-inch IPS / 640×480 / 4:3 / Dual-screen / 5-point multi-touch / Up to 60Hz

SoC: Rockchip RK3568

RAM: 3GB

Storage: 32GB (microSD supports up to 2TB)

Battery: 4000mAh (approx. 3-4 hours of actual use)

Communication: Wi-Fi 5 / Bluetooth 4.2

Interface: USB Type-C ×2 (no video output) / headphone jack / microSD slot / dual speakers

Sensors: 6-axis gyro / vibration motor / microphone

Included accessories: stylus / strap / USB Type-C cable / protective film

Size: 160 × 90 × 21.5mm

Weight: Approx. 321g (reports of actual weight around 315g)

Body material: ABS plastic

Hinge: Max 180 degrees, free-stop type (somewhat stiff)

UI/Function: Custom UI (RGLauncher), screen focus switching, individual brightness adjustment for upper and lower screens (with firmware improvements)

Pros
  • Strong DS feel in both appearance and structure with dual screens
  • The 4-inch dual-screen configuration has good color reproduction, providing an overwhelming immersive experience for DS titles.
  • The folding mechanism is sturdy and can be fixed at any angle, offering excellent LCD protection during transport.
  • The included stylus and dual-screen touch support allow for stress-free enjoyment of touch-intensive games.
  • Combines high-quality displays and Android OS while keeping the price affordable.
  • Thin and lightweight for a dual-screen device, making it easy to carry.
  • Molding and assembly precision exceed expectations for the price.
  • Buttons have a good tactile feel, overall operation is satisfactory.
  • Speakers are placed on the left and right of the upper screen, providing sufficient volume.
  • Intuitive focus switching for upper and lower screen operations for DS use.
  • Low heat generation even without a fan, making it less concerning.
Cons
  • Low SoC performance makes it unsuitable for Android gaming.
  • Limited RAM (3GB) and storage (32GB) without much headroom.
  • No Google Play support, requiring manual APK installation for apps.
  • No OTA support, system improvements rely on firmware updates.
  • Struggles with high-load devices like the 3DS and Dreamcast.
  • Occasional latency, lag, and instability in the upper screen (improved with firmware).
  • Due to the clamshell structure, the cross key and ABXY button strokes are very shallow, which may not suit everyone's preference.
  • The analog stick is very small and positioned low, making it unsuitable for precise control or fighting games.
  • Reports of noise when launching audio output apps.
  • Some buttons, like LR buttons, can be quite loud.
  • The device size is relatively large (comparable to New Nintendo 3DS LL).
  • Quality inconsistencies reported due to individual differences.
Reviews
  • The community highly appreciates its 'niche configuration that seems like it shouldn't exist,' receiving enthusiastic support, especially from those seeking a DS-like experience. There are positive comments such as 'the screen is very beautiful and more comfortable than the original device,' while some point out that the lack of a pre-installed Google Play Store on Android 14 may pose a challenge for beginners. Despite being a device favored by enthusiasts, its high ownership satisfaction seems to please many gadget lovers.
  • 'Appearance is completely DS. It feels like a dedicated machine for playing DS.'
  • 'It's attractive to try dual screens at this price point.'
  • 'It's large but surprisingly easy to handle because it's thin.'
  • 'Hinge construction and button feel leave a good impression.'
  • 'Performance is low, and it's honestly tough as an Android device.'
  • 'Not bad for DS emulation use, but lag is a concern.'
  • 'I hope for future improvements as the system is still immature.'
Benchmarks
Antutu vv11 (total)
160,000
Emulator Performance
Platform Rating
Family Computer / NES
Playable
Game Boy
Playable
Super Famicom / SNES
Playable
PC Engine
Playable
Mega Drive / Sega Genesis
Playable
Game Gear
Playable
Game Boy Advance
Playable
PlayStation
Playable
Nintendo 64
Playable
PlayStation Portable
Playable
Dreamcast
Playable
Nintendo DS
Playable
Sega Saturn
Runs
Nintendo GameCube
Runs
Wii
Not Playable
Nintendo 3DS
Not Playable
PlayStation 2
Not Playable
Benchmarks
Antutu vv11 (total)
160,000