Anbernic has made a handheld that looks a lot like a Nintendo 3DS XL, but runs Android.
Pre-orders for the Anbernic RG DDS opened on October 16, 2026 on Anbernic's own store. The pre-order price is $284.99 for the 8GB model, down from a regular price of $299.99. Anbernic says the RG DDS will ship "gradually starting December 10, 2026."
This is a step up for a brand best known for cheap handhelds. The RG DDS costs about three times as much as Anbernic's own RG DS Plus, which sells for $94.99. So what do you get for the extra money?
Key dates and prices
| RG DDS | RG DS Plus | |
|---|---|---|
| Pre-orders opened | October 16, 2026 | Already on sale |
| Ships | From December 10, 2026 | Now |
| All orders filled by | January 31, 2027 (Retro Dodo, citing Anbernic) | n/a |
| Price, base model | $284.99 pre-order, $299.99 regular (8GB + 128GB) | $94.99 on Anbernic.com |
| Price, top model | $349.99 pre-order (12GB + 256GB) | One model |
| Colors | Glacier White, Basalt Black, Phantom Blue | Metallic Blue, Matte Black, Coral Pink |
A quick note on price. Before Anbernic's store went live, an early AliExpress listing showed a range of about $300 to $365, and some outlets said pricing was not confirmed yet. Anbernic's own store now lists $284.99 and $349.99 on pre-order, with $299.99 as the regular price of the 8GB model. Retro Dodo reports the regular price of the 12GB model as $364.99. Prices can differ on AliExpress and other stores.
Specs compared
| RG DDS | RG DS Plus | |
|---|---|---|
| Top screen | 4.7-inch IPS, 1200 x 720, 500 nits | 4.3-inch IPS, 1024 x 768 |
| Bottom screen | 4-inch IPS, 960 x 720, 500 nits | 4.3-inch IPS touch, 1024 x 768 |
| Chip | Qualcomm Snapdragon G2 Gen 2 (4nm) | Rockchip RK3568 (quad-core, 2.0GHz) |
| Graphics | Adreno A22 | ARM G52 2EE |
| Memory | 8GB or 12GB | 1GB |
| Storage | 128GB or 256GB, plus microSD up to 2TB | 16GB card included, microSD up to 2TB |
| Software | Android 16 | Linux |
| Wi-Fi / Bluetooth | Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5.4 | Wi-Fi 5, Bluetooth 4.2 |
| Battery | 6,000mAh, 27W charging | 4,000mAh, about 6 hours (Anbernic) |
| Stylus | Built-in retractable stylus | Built-in stylus |
| Size | 166 x 93 x 26mm | 167 x 96 x 24mm |
| Weight | 434g | 344g |
Both fold shut like a 3DS, and both have a Hall sensor that puts the device to sleep when you close the lid. Both have dual speakers and a microSD slot.
What is new on the RG DDS
A real jump in power. The Snapdragon G2 Gen 2 is a gaming chip with eight cores, topping out at 2.8GHz. The RG DS Plus uses an older four-core Rockchip chip with 1GB of memory. Retro Dodo saw gameplay footage of 3DS games running at five times their original resolution on the RG DDS. Treat that as a demo, not a promise for every game.
Sharper screens. Both screens are 300 pixels per inch and rated at 500 nits. The top screen uses a wide 5:3 shape, like the 3DS top screen. The bottom one is 4:3. Engadget points out that there is no glasses-free 3D, so 3DS games run in normal 2D.
Android 16. This means you can install emulators, game streaming apps and the Google Play store. The RG DS Plus runs Linux, which is simpler but more limited.
An AI button. Anbernic says it will offer game guides, real-time translation of on-screen text, chat, and image tools. We have not tried it, and features like this depend on software updates.
TV output. Engadget reports that the RG DDS can output video at 1080p, so you can play on a bigger screen.
Where each one wins
RG DDS wins on:
- Performance. Much faster chip and 8 to 12 times more memory.
- Screens. Larger and sharper top screen, with a known brightness rating.
- Battery. 6,000mAh with 27W fast charging, against 4,000mAh.
- Software. Android 16 opens up streaming and app stores.
RG DS Plus wins on:
- Price. $94.99 is about a third of the RG DDS price.
- Weight. It is 90g lighter.
- Availability. You can get it now, not in December or January.
- Matching screens. Both screens are the same size, which suits DS-style games.
Which should you buy?
- Pre-order the RG DDS if you want the best 3DS-style handheld you can buy for Android emulation and streaming, and you can wait. The $15 pre-order discount is small but real.
- Pick the 12GB model only if you plan to keep many large games on the device or run heavy emulators. Storage is easy to add with a microSD card, so the 8GB model is enough for most people.
- Buy the RG DS Plus if you want a cheap, light handheld for older games and you do not need Android.
- Wait if you want it as a holiday gift. Anbernic ships from China, starts on December 10, and says orders may take until January 31 to complete. Retro Dodo notes that delivery overseas often takes 7 to 14 days. Waiting also gives time for reviews to show how well 3DS games really run.
Retro Dodo also notes that the RG DDS costs more than rivals such as the Retroid Pocket Duo, so it is worth comparing before you order. If you are building a retro setup for the TV instead, read our Analogue Super Nt+ vs Mega Sg+ guide. You can also line up devices side by side on our compare page.
Other tech news this week
- Apple's iPhone Duo sold out fast, and new orders now ship in January 2027. See our iPhone Duo wait-or-buy guide.
- Analogue opens pre-orders for the Super Nt+ and Mega Sg+ on October 19, with shipping in December.
- Verizon will charge $10 a month for iPhone Handoff, which lets two devices share one phone number, according to Engadget.
Sources
- Anbernic: RG DDS product page (pre-order, specs, prices)
- Anbernic: RG DS Plus product page
- Engadget: Anbernic's RG DDS is almost double the price of the original Nintendo 3DS
- Retro Dodo: Anbernic reveals RG DDS specifications, price and release date
- Android Authority: Anbernic RG DDS pricing leak and gameplay showcase
Image: Anbernic RG DDS, via Anbernic.
