2026-04-20

Anbernic Announces Rotating Screen 'RG Rotate'; Memory Price Hikes Impact AYANEO and Others

In the world of portable gaming PCs and retro consoles, the announcement of new devices with novel designs and the impact of soaring component prices shaking the industry have become major topics. Anbernic has garnered community attention by announcing the 'RG Rotate,' an Android-powered device with a unique rotating screen mechanism. Meanwhile, major manufacturers like AYANEO and Retroid are being forced to discontinue sales or revise prices for certain models due to the rising costs of RAM and SSDs, highlighting the severity of the current market environment.

Anbernic announces the 'RG Rotate,' a unique Android device with a rotating screen

On April 13, Anbernic released a teaser video for its new Android handheld, the "RG Rotate," via its official YouTube channel and other platforms. Its most notable feature is a unique mechanism where a square display with a 1:1 aspect ratio rotates (swivels) to reveal a gamepad positioned underneath. This design, reminiscent of feature phones from the past, is attracting attention as a fresh approach that differs from recent slide-out or clamshell models.

Key specifications currently known are as follows:

OS: Android
Body Material: Aluminum or ABS resin
Colors: Aurora Silver, Polar Black
Battery: 2,000 mAh (supports 10W charging)
Other: No 3.5mm headphone jack

Anbernic is promoting the device not only for gaming but also for multi-purpose use as a music player or clock. While some in the community welcome the innovative form factor, concerns have been raised regarding the lack of a headphone jack despite its positioning as a music player. While the full specifications remain unconfirmed, it is being awaited as a new option that prioritizes portability.

Ripple effects of memory price hikes: AYANEO halts 'NEXT 2' pre-orders and raises prices on select models

The surge in RAM and SSD prices hitting the gaming PC market is having a serious impact on the strategies of portable gaming PC manufacturers. On April 10, AYANEO announced upcoming price increases for the "Pocket Vert," "Pocket S Mini," "Mini PC AM03," and "Mini PC AM01S" due to inventory shortages, increased demand, and rising component costs. Notably, the 16GB RAM + 512GB model of the "Pocket S Mini" has already been discontinued.

Prior to this, the company suspended sales of its next-generation flagship, the "AYANEO NEXT 2," which was available for pre-order on Indiegogo. The device's main specifications and status are as follows:

SoC: AMD Ryzen AI Max+ 395
Display: 9.06-inch OLED (2400×1504 resolution)
Battery: 116Wh
Price: Starting at $1,799

The company explained that supplier quotes significantly exceeded expectations, with manufacturing costs reaching nearly double the retail price, making the business "unsustainable." For emerging manufacturers with limited component procurement power compared to major PC makers, the current market environment is extremely challenging.

Retroid streamlines lineup; releases practical update for discontinued 'Pocket G2'

The impact of rising component prices has also reached Retroid, a company specializing in Android-based retro consoles. The company has discontinued the 12GB RAM model of the "Retroid Pocket 6" and raised the price of the 8GB model by $15 to $244. Additionally, it has announced a temporary suspension of sales for the "Retroid Pocket G2," which features the Snapdragon G2 Gen 2, indicating that companies are rushing to streamline their lineups.

However, support for existing users continues even for discontinued models. Recently, an OTA update (version 1.0.0.176) was released for the "Retroid Pocket G2":

Addition of Charge separation feature (bypass charging): A function that supplies power directly to the device from the charger without passing through the battery.

This feature effectively prevents battery degradation and heat generation during long gaming sessions or when connected to a dock. At a time when hardware supply is unstable, the manufacturer's commitment to extending the lifespan and improving the utility of existing devices through software improvements provides peace of mind to users.