It's been a busy few days for Retro Gaming With Deadfred. After posting a leak of the final iteration of the TRIMUI Brick online last week, they have now shared a picture of the KT R1 S, a new version of the handheld that we first wrote about all the way back in December 2000... which seems like a lifetime ago.
'A new version,' I hear you cry. Yes, according to Mr Deadfred himself, the KT R1 S comes with 2024's Dimensity 7300 chip as opposed to 2022's MediaTek Helio G99. They're coming back with all cylinders firing and righting the low power woes of the KT R1 when it came to some of the more demanding PS2 and GameCube titles.
Hello KTR1 S.. Dimensity 7300 offered in both a 4:3 or 3:2 aspect ratio with choice of stick top or bottom . Pre-orders soon . Also choice of plastic or magnesium shell. The true custom handheld . pic.twitter.com/vu99sR1s5D
— Retro Gaming With Deadfred (@RetroDeadFred) December 13, 2025
The KT R1 S also seems to have more customisation options than the garage in Need for Speed: Most Wanted. You'll be able to choose between three different handheld colours; PAL Grey, Black, and GameCube Indigo, and either a 4:3 or 3:2 ratio. There's also a choice of asymmetrical and symmetrical joystick placement and a choice of magnesium or plastic shells. Essentially, it's a one-stop-shop for customisation with different materials being available at different price points.
The design shown in the X post above doesn't look too different from the KT R1, bar the change in the D-Pad design. The shoulder buttons are the same, and the action button placement is the same. The joysticks and speaker grills appear to the main difference so far, making me wonder whether owners of the KT R1 will see the appeal of upgrading if they're already happy with their current performance.
The only other information we have from Retro Gaming With Deadfred's X post is that pre-orders are coming soon. Obviously I need to stipulate that none of this has been confirmed yet and is, of course, subject to change, but if the KT R1 S does come with a Dimensity 7300 and can be priced similarly to the MANGMI Air X for its base plastic model, then they could be on to a winner!
