2026-05-18

Anbernic RG Rotate Officially Announced and Leaks of Unannounced AYANEO Vertical Handheld

In mid-May 2026, the portable gaming PC and retro handheld market saw a series of announcements for new devices with unique gimmicks and leaks of upcoming models. Anbernic officially released the 'RG Rotate,' a unique Android device with a rotating screen, and began distributing a Linux OS for its existing dual-screen 'RG DS' handheld. Additionally, the existence of an unannounced vertical device from AYANEO, the 'Pocket Block,' was discovered via a manual, and progress on the production of the high-end 'NEXT 2' was reported.

Anbernic 'RG Rotate' officially released: An ambitious device with a screen rotation gimmick

Anbernic has officially announced and released the 'RG Rotate,' a new Android gaming handheld featuring a unique swivel mechanism that allows the display to rotate 90 degrees. Departing from the standard straight-bar designs that have become common, its most notable feature is the use of an alloy hinge reminiscent of 2000s-era flip phones.

Basic specifications include a Unisoc T618 SoC, 3GB of RAM, and 32GB of storage. It comes pre-installed with Android 12. The display is a 3.5-inch IPS touchscreen (720x720 resolution) with a 1:1 aspect ratio. By rotating the screen, users can enjoy retro titles like Game Boy games or vertical-scrolling arcade shooters at an optimal aspect ratio. The battery capacity is 2,000mAh, providing approximately 5 hours of playtime.

Pricing is set at $87.99 for the 'Polar Black' model, which features a metal front and plastic back, and $107.99 for the premium 'Aurora Silver' model, which is made entirely of CNC aluminum. In a market flooded with hardware, this device has been well-received by the community as an ambitious effort that offers clear differentiation rather than just another rehash.

AYANEO's unannounced vertical device 'Pocket Block' leaked and 'NEXT 2' progress

In other news, the existence of an unannounced new Android gaming handheld from AYANEO, the 'Pocket Block,' has been revealed. This leak occurred after a user manual was uploaded to the technology product manual sharing site 'manuals.plus.' Based on the diagrams in the manual, it is believed to be a compact device directly targeting the affordable vertical retro handheld market. While detailed hardware specifications are currently unknown, it is attracting attention as a new option in the company's 'Pocket' series.

Meanwhile, an official update regarding the high-end Windows handheld 'NEXT 2' was reported on Indiegogo. The device is an ultra-high-end model equipped with a 'Ryzen AI MAX+ 395' and priced at $1,999, but pre-orders were temporarily suspended due to the recent surge in RAM and SSD prices.

According to the announcement, production of key components has already begun, with a goal of starting trial production in early June and mass production in mid-June. Despite the impact of rising parts costs, providing a concrete schedule for shipping is likely a relief for those who have been waiting for a long time.

Long-awaited Linux OS officially released for Anbernic 'RG DS'

About six months after its release, a long-awaited 'all-new Linux system' has been officially released for Anbernic's dual-screen device, the 'RG DS.'

Although the device was introduced as an affordable alternative to dual-screen devices, it only came with Android OS at launch, leading the community to point out issues with usability and complex settings when utilizing both screens. The newly released Linux OS is designed to be written to a microSD card and booted, allowing it to be used without uninstalling the existing Android environment.

In the new launcher interface, a playful feature has been added: when playing games that use only one screen, the sub-screen displays images corresponding to the platform, such as a PlayStation controller or a Game Boy Advance console icon. The provision of a dedicated OS that unlocks the hardware's potential is likely to lead to a re-evaluation of the RG DS.