The Retroid Pocket 5 is a phenomenal device, and it sat at the top of our best retro handhelds list for over a year, which no other handheld has done.
However, with the fast-paced releases from competitors and the demand for more fluid emulation, GoRetroid has revealed an updated and twice as powerful version called the G2.
This comes at the same time as the Retroid Pocket 6 reveal, which will be even more powerful and a slightly different-looking version of this, but the G2 offers Pocket 5 fans the chance to keep the same design, with new colour-ways and new specs.
Why is it called the "G2"?
That's simply because it now uses the new Snapdragon G2 Gen 2 processor. Why they haven't just made the Retroid Pocket 5 redundant and made this the new version, I do not know.
Likely because they have a lot of stock left over and want to sell through it? This may explain the recent price reduction of the Retroid Pocket 5, which now makes it $199 at retail.
It's worth noting that the Retroid Pocket G2 keeps all of the same aesthetics as the Retroid Pocket 5.
Retroid Pocket G2 Specifications
Alongside the two new colour-ways, which take inspiration from the Nintendo Switch Lite, these are the following specifications:
- Snapdragon G2 Gen 2 Processor
- Adreno A22 GPU
- 8 GB RAM
- 5.5" 1080p AMOLED Display @ 60Hz
- 128GB Internal Storage
- 5000MAH Battery
- Android 15
- WiFi 6 & BT5.4
Now, I have yet to test this, but on paper this would suggest that it could likely play all of your Playstation 2 games at upscaled resolutions, but only time will tell.
The Pricing & Release Dates
The pricing here, does confuse me, and I am confident many will not upgrade to this from the Retroid Pocket 5, which many of us have. It sold well, and was incredibly popular so I think GoRetroid are going to have a real tough time selling this.
Not only because of competition but because their own products makes this redundant in a way, being priced just $20 more then the RP5 and a tiny $10 less than the RP6.
In the first two weeks customers can get $20 off, snagging the G2 for $199, at retail it will sell for $219. The product page is live, but no button to pre-order yet.
It also seems like the original colours (Black, GC & 16Bit) come out a little earlier too, likely because they already have these at their warehouse, ready to go. Shipping begins on the 29th October 2025.
The two new colour-ways (Turquiouse and Yellow) will ship a week later on the 5th November 2025. So these are shipping very quickly, which is good to see.
