Originally, this device was going to be called the KTR1S, but we had to wait until the official release to witness a slight rebrand.
This device is now being called the KTPocket R2. Many years ago, we had our hands on the KT R1... and I'll be honest, it was a disaster, poorly launched and poorly crafted.
This device is already being sold domestically in China, but there are plans to launch it internationally over the coming months, as it's being crafted by a small team instead of a large manufacturer, which we are used to in this scene.
So it's good to see some new, "smaller" handhelds enter the scene, and this one, I'll admit, looks tasty!
The details
Let's take a look at the product details. First of all, and the most important thing is the pricing.
The KT Pocket R2's website is a little confusing, as translation suggests that this is a "¥1,000 handheld", and that would suggest it actually starts at $140 (approximately), but marketing material shows this starts at $159 and ranges up to $289 depending on specs and shell type.
It comes in a variety of specifications. You have a choice between 6 - 12GB of RAM and up to 512GB of storage, alongside the choice of shell material: plastic, aluminium alloy or magnesium alloy.
"Magnesium alloy order to be shipped on 2026-02-05, plastic version to be shipped on 2026-03-20", states KTPocket.
It features a MediaTek Dimensity 7300 CPU, a Mali‑G615 GPU, a choice between a 4:3 (4.5" 1620 x 1080) or a 3:2 display (4.2" 1280 x 960), a 6000-6920 MAH battery capacity, hall-joysticks, and in-house cooling.
The body and design look similar to the original KTR1, with some minor tweaks and changes. I really dig the choice between a 4:3 and 3:2 display, alongside the choice of shell.
Many will go for plastic, but it offers the choice for those who love metal retro handhelds like myself.
It's not an ugly device, one that I think many will appreciate. I just hope they can make this easier to get our hands on it, here in the UK, and in other parts of the world.
My previous KT R1's screen was not attached when it arrived, so from experience, I hope they can double down on quality control too, as we need more affordable competition on the scene, and these guys are almost there when it comes to quality/design.
The pre-sale phase is open now, which requires a deposit, and orders will be fulfilled and begin shipping in February/March, according to the KT Pocket team.
