Now, I know as I write this many of you who are into your handheld emulators will disagree with me here, but I have a soft spot for metal handhelds.
Maybe because they feel premium, maybe because I am just so use to plastic devices or maybe its the fact my one year old is too weak to pick it up... possibly the latter.
So I was happy to see that a possible metal device is in the works by ANBERNIC called the RG477M, first found from the keen eyed folks at Retro Handhelds on X.
ANBERNIC leaks are happening often, and as said in previous news posts, I believe it's happening on purpose as a marketing tactic so suckers like us write about it. Many of these leaks come to fruition, just like the recently revealed RG Slide, a slide up display handheld by ANBERNIC.
This leaked happened on Chinese social media such as BiliBili, from a user named Sweet Carrot, showing a mock image of the RG477M in a bronze metal colourway, alongside a more basic white version that I believe was a mockup before they decided to go metal.
This could see the same display as the RG Slide, a new display that ANBERNIC are pushing with something called "LTPS" known as Low-Temperature Polysilicon.
This is a higher-quality material used to make the transistors that control each pixel on the screen, these:
- Perform better than regular amorphous silicon transistors
- Allow for higher resolution displays
- Enable faster response times
It's also rumoured to use the MediaTek Dimensity 8300 chipset, the same used in the recent RG557 which is powerful enough to emulate Gamecube and Playstation 2 games, which I am pleased to here.
I know a lot of you will also not be pleased with the stick layout, with both of them being located below the DPAD and action buttons.
This has surprised me as their latest metal device the RG405M changed this and featured the analogue stick above the DPAD which many preferred, so it's odd to see them go back to the RG353M design.
The metal shell photo that can be seen above also gives me the impression they are going for a thin, rounded design which I believe will feel great in the hands, but may get warm when emulating higher end games.
I am personally excited to see thie come to fruition, ANBERNIC has not produced a metal device in two years, so it's good to see them dabble again in this area, even if its not for anyone.
But as we all know, ANBERNIC will create a handheld from anything, in a multitude of layouts and power, if one sticks, it sticks, if not, they're onto the next! We'll be sure to review this one, so stick around.
