ANBERNIC RG35XX vs RG35XXSP: Which Clamshell Handheld Fits You?

The real difference is the body, not the chip

The RG35XX and RG35XXSP share the same core hardware: a 3.5-inch IPS full-viewing-angle, OCA-laminated 640x480 screen, an H700 quad-core ARM Cortex-A53 CPU at 1.5GHz, 1GB of LPDDR4 RAM, 64GB of TF/MicroSD storage and a Linux system. Choosing between them is therefore not about raw emulation power. It is about the shell you hold, how you carry it, and the extras each body allows.

That shared foundation is good news for buyers: your decision comes down to form factor and the features tied to it. The SP is the flip handheld retro console of the pair, while the RG35XX is the straight slab. Everything below explains where that split actually shows up in daily use.

Shared screen and processor

• NEW ANBERNIC RG35XX: 3.5-inch IPS full viewing angle, OCA full lamination, 640x480 screen; H700 quad-core ARM Cortex-A53 at 1.5GHz; LPDDR4 1GB RAM; 64GB TF/MicroSD storage; Linux system. This is the baseline for both devices, so neither wins on display or chip. Pick on body design instead.

  

• ANBERNIC RG35XXSP: 3.5-inch IPS full viewing angle, OCA full lamination, 640x480 screen; H700 quad-core ARM Cortex-A53 at 1.5GHz; 1GB RAM; 64GB TF/MicroSD storage; Linux 64-bit system. The SP matches the RG35XX on the specs most people compare first, confirming the choice is about the clamshell, not performance.

  

Battery life and charging

Both consoles charge over 5V/1.5A and accept a C2C charger, so a single cable covers either. The difference is endurance.

• RG35XX: Li-polymer 2600mAh battery, listed as lasting 7 hours. A lighter battery keeps the slab body simple.
• RG35XXSP: Polymer lithium 3300mAh battery, listed as lasting 8 hours. The larger cell gives the clamshell a modest endurance edge for longer sessions away from a socket.

Connectivity: where the SP pulls ahead

This is the clearest functional gap between the two, and it matters if you want wireless controllers, streaming or online play.

• RG35XX: Supports 2.4G wireless and wired controllers, HD output to TV and a vibration motor. No Wi-Fi or Bluetooth is confirmed in the supplied information.
• RG35XXSP: Adds 2.4/5G Wi-Fi (802.11a/b/g/n/ac) and Bluetooth 4.2 on top of 2.4G and wired controller support, HD TV output, a vibration motor, online multiplayer over Wi-Fi and streaming.

Size and carry: slab vs flip

The supplied records list different console dimensions, and the SP's folding body is the reason. The RG35XX is listed at roughly 11.7 x 8.1 x 2.2 cm and 0.186 kg, while the RG35XXSP is listed at roughly 8.5 x 8.9 x 2.7 cm and 0.192 kg. Read those as the packaged console measurements from the catalog rather than a guarantee of pocket fit; the SP's footprint is shorter but a little thicker and slightly heavier.

The clamshell design is what you are really buying with the SP. Its built-in strong magnets in the upper and lower covers support magnetic closure, and a built-in Hall switch chip wakes the device when the lid opens and puts it to sleep when the lid closes. That lid also shields the screen when the console is closed in a bag. The RG35XX has no lid, so the screen is exposed unless you use the included screen protector or a separate case. If you want a flip handheld retro console that protects its own display, the SP is the obvious pick.

Colors and storage variants

• RG35XX: Gray, transparent white, transparent purple and transparent black. Variants run from 64GB up to 64GB+128GB and 64GB+256GB, and the record notes dual card slots supporting TF expansion up to 512GB.
• RG35XXSP: Silver, gray, black transparent, blue transparent, red transparent, green transparent and white transparent. Variants also run 64G, 64G+128G and 64G+256G, with the same dual-slot TF expansion up to 512GB.

What both include and where the evidence stops

Both consoles ship with a USB charging cable, giftbox, user manual and screen protector, and both list a high-fidelity speaker. The RG35XX supports 30+ emulators and other game formats, and the SP lists ported games plus 30+ emulators; both let you download games in the relevant formats yourself. Neither record includes preparation steps, care instructions or safety warnings, so treat setup guidance as something to confirm against the manual in the box rather than assume here.

One practical note on the SP: it is a Linux 64-bit device with media playback for video and music formats and an e-book reader for txt files. If you want a single handheld for games plus a little video or reading, that is a genuine reason to lean toward the SP. The RG35XX record does not confirm those media features, so do not count on them there.

Quick spec reference

• NEW ANBERNIC RG35XX: Li-polymer 2600mAh battery lasting 7 hours; 5V/1.5A charging with C2C charger support; 2.4G wireless and wired controller support, HD TV output and vibration motor; listed at 0.186 kg. Confirms the RG35XX as the simpler, lighter slab with TV output but no confirmed wireless networking.
• ANBERNIC RG35XXSP: 3300mAh battery lasting 8 hours; 2.4/5G Wi-Fi and Bluetooth 4.2; Hall magnetic switch with auto wake on open and sleep on close; listed at 0.192 kg. Shows exactly what the clamshell body adds: more endurance, wireless connectivity and lid-based sleep.