Anbernic RG40XXchat_bubble_outlineFrom real comments

Many commenters are frustrated that despite the bigger screen and demand for one, Anbernic kept the same H700 chip as cheaper models instead of using a more powerful option, limiting performance ceiling for N64, Dreamcast and beyond.

@80sCommercialVault

I wish Anbernic would make a higher end deluxe version of this with a similar form factor/aesthetic but with a 4.5 or 5 inch display at 960 x 720 resolution. With that screen resolution/ratio you could play almost every retro system at full integer scale (some systems like SNES would require integer overscale...similar to playing on the Powkiddy RGB30). Also a more powerful chipset so 6th gen systems are more compatible would be nice.launch

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August 4, 2024

@TarikA

Thanks Russ for finally showing a comparison to the RG405M. :) As an owner of the 405, I was interested in the 40XX at first due to these three aspects:\n- D-Pad on top (as it should be)\n- video-out\n- Linux (I take Linux over Android ANYTIME if I have to choose... I just wish Garlic 2.x on the 405 would be more mature at this point)\n\nHowever after watching both of your videos about the 40XX, it became an easy skip for me. It's not quite the 405M successor I was hoping for by any means and I guess I still have to wait for something better to come up. Knowing Anbernic it shouldn't take too long.launch

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July 15, 2024

@TeepoST88

Anbernic is killing it with this line, the same chipset but in almost any form factor you want and the shared custom firmware prograss across the board, however I wish they used a slightly more powerful chip and better analogs. These are able to run n64 and Dreamcast fairly well, but there are still issues and coupled with the cardinal snapping and dead zone on the sticks, it makes these devices pretty much capled at PS1 and below, and there are just so many devices that can already do that. I switched from the 35xx to the 405m and Mario 64 went from so frustrating that I thought the controls had just aged terribly on the 35xx, to getting all 120 stars on the 405m.launch

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July 9, 2024

@SyN-d2w

Love the design and button layout. Wish it had a 960x720 4\" screen and that they kept the specs from the 405M or went with the specs from the 556/cube. Dual boot would be nice and a 4,000-5,000 battery. It would be nice if Anbernic made a new device with the screen from the KTR1 and the 556/cube specs. Time to grab a snack and a drink and watch my favorite reviewer do his thing!launch

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July 9, 2024

Users report the analog sticks suffer from cardinal snapping and dead zone issues that make N64 and other analog-dependent games frustrating, capping practical use to PS1-level games for some, though community firmware fixes are emerging.

@Spacemonkeymojo

Been playing a lot of GBA games on Delta Emulator on my iPhone recently and was getting annoyed with games that require a lot of R1 and L1 input so decided to order one of these last night after doing some research, it's going to be my first retro handheld. I actually like the joystick as an \"in case\" kind of thing although I do hope they fix the snapping in software at some point. I'm surprised you said it's not ergonomic, compared to the RG405V it wouldn't be as ergonomic yes but compared to the Miyoo Mini Plus (which you said was the GOAT) it'd be way more ergonomic although maybe there are some aspects of the Miyoo Mini Plus that are better like the OS. Super excited for this to arrive in the mail!launch

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October 12, 2024

@ThyVile

The stick snapping issue was fixed by a community member and will be enabled in future MuOS and Knulli releases. The mad lad managed to hack the kernel and tweak it up to make them work well. This fix would be applicable to 35XX-H and 40XX too.launch

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August 22, 2024

@JoeysRetroHandhelds

Note - the stick issue has been fixed and will be in the next release of muOS, the fix does not apply to stock OS.launch

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August 13, 2024

@TeepoST88

Anbernic is killing it with this line, the same chipset but in almost any form factor you want and the shared custom firmware prograss across the board, however I wish they used a slightly more powerful chip and better analogs. These are able to run n64 and Dreamcast fairly well, but there are still issues and coupled with the cardinal snapping and dead zone on the sticks, it makes these devices pretty much capled at PS1 and below, and there are just so many devices that can already do that. I switched from the 35xx to the 405m and Mario 64 went from so frustrating that I thought the controls had just aged terribly on the 35xx, to getting all 120 stars on the 405m.launch

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July 9, 2024

Several people who already own the RG35XX H feel the RG40XX offers only a bigger screen and reshaped shell with nothing else new, making it a hard purchase to justify unless bigger screen is a priority.

@AB_223

Great handheld. Just wish I didn’t buy the 35XX H a week before this was announced. Thanks Anbernic!launch

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August 26, 2024

@WillC1020

Thanks for the video. I currently have the 35XXH and it’s one of my favorites. The 40XXH looks nice but nothing else new is introduced other than the screen and different shape of the device. With that said it doesn’t make sense for me to purchase this. Overall the 3.5 inch screen is just fine, heck I even enjoy micro devices that have 2.8 inch and have no issues. But this could be a good device for someone who needs bigger screens due to perhaps vision issues or it’s their first H700 device and the price difference is not an issue.launch

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August 14, 2024

@corran4501

I just got my RG35XX H a couple weeks ago… I think, for me, it comes down to this: when I first beheld my purple 35XXH, I immediately fell in love with it. I think I audibly “squee”’d. It’s such a blast from the past, and I had a ton of fun playing “A Link to the Past” on it.\n\nI’m not seeing that nostalgic factor with the 40XX H… sure, the bigger screen is a plus, and the ergonomics. But it doesn’t have that “squee”ability. And if I want a bigger, more comfortable screen, well, I already have my Odin 2.\n\nMaybe it’s copium, but I think I’m good with what I’ve got for now.launch

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July 10, 2024

Multiple reviewers noted blue-colored shells specifically suffering from overheating that other colors didn't exhibit, an unresolved concern that made at least one commenter avoid the device entirely.

@jansmit-w6b

I agree with most of what you're saying. And yes, the name refers to the 4-inch screen, which is much better than those 3.5-inch screens. But I don't understand why they haven't included any ventilation holes. It's no wonder the back gets warm with more demanding games. There are many Raspberry Pi solutions that work because of heat issues. Only the rear panel needs to be 3 to 4 mm higher. Many say it's too narrow, and I agree. So that extra 3 to 4 mm with ventilation holes and good cooling doesn't make much difference. It just makes it better. A well-designed, 3D-printed back that's MMS higher makes a big difference. And most custom firmware allows for overclocking. With good cooling, you can go much higher. So all Dreamcast games and most PSP games can be played on this chip at 1 to 2 times the resolution without any problems. Without frameskip. Their code is open to everyone. Thanks to the community for all the great software you create for it. And thank you to Ambernic for opening up their code to developers.launch

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September 7, 2025

@mattdavis9601

I've seen a number of reviews covering the RG40XX-H, that number now standing at 3, and everyone with a blue colored shell has had bad overheating issues. Stubbs spent a decent chunk of his review trying to fix it. Oddly, the other colors in the reviews I've seen don't seem to have overheating issues. I have no clue if the blue shell has a borked mold that hurts airflow, or if it's an early production thing, or if it's one of those small sample size things. Any way you look at it, it's concerning. But not for me, because I'm not going to buy one!launch

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August 22, 2024

The RG40XX uses a 3200mAh battery, smaller than the 3300mAh in other XX-family models and well below competitors like the Powkiddy RGB30's 4100mAh, meaning shorter battery life.

@luiscampos2789

RG40xx has bigger screen and LED lights but 3200mah battery instead of 3300, so it will last you less than the rest of the same family.\nIf it was like the Powkiddy RGB30 that has 4100 mah it would have been a lot better. Right now in low emulation I am sticking with miyoo mini plus as vertical, RG35xx h horizontal, and Trimui Smart pro if I want a bigger screen. I wont go back to android since battery management on most RP are pretty bad or have lower batteries than the linux consoles.\nStill I am hoping for something that will dethrone de RP2s with a bigger screen (RP3 and 4 screens look 2 small for what they can emulate)launch

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August 4, 2024

At least one buyer received a unit with a left bumper that stuck or failed to register, requiring disassembly and rework to fix, though the underlying foam pad issue was eventually diagnosed.

@Tea_and_Kvetch

UPDATE: As it turns out, Anbernic customer service is on point! Within a few hours of sending a message on aliexpress, they replied. After some back and forth as well as a video detailing the issue, they had their technicians look into it. For anyone who runs into their left bumper sticking or not working at all, remove the shell and the battery. You should see a small foam rectangle wrapped in silver mesh glued to the pcb. You can either cut the protuding bit so the battery is flush, or take out the screws for the pcb, be gentle with the wires and ribbon cables and slowly take the pad off the pcb. Problem solved, no more sticking or not registering. Thanks Anbernic!\n\nOriginal: So I just got mine in but the left bumper is a mess. Out of the box it wouldn't register at all, so I took the back off and the left trigger assembly to see if the bumper was making contact with the internal button, which it was. Low and behold with the back off, the bumper worked perfectly in the io test. During reassembly, when screwing in the shell screw near the left bumper, it would cause the bumper to remain activated. So I took it apart once more, it works perfectly again, and this time, I left that screw loose, and it works mostly, but will still lock up occasionally lock up and remain that way till I open it again. Obviously that's not acceptable, so now I'm waiting to see how good Anbernics customer service is on aliexpress, yay.launch

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July 18, 2024

One detailed comment notes the lack of ventilation holes contributes to the back getting warm during demanding games, arguing a slightly taller shell with vents would have helped cooling significantly.

@jansmit-w6b

I agree with most of what you're saying. And yes, the name refers to the 4-inch screen, which is much better than those 3.5-inch screens. But I don't understand why they haven't included any ventilation holes. It's no wonder the back gets warm with more demanding games. There are many Raspberry Pi solutions that work because of heat issues. Only the rear panel needs to be 3 to 4 mm higher. Many say it's too narrow, and I agree. So that extra 3 to 4 mm with ventilation holes and good cooling doesn't make much difference. It just makes it better. A well-designed, 3D-printed back that's MMS higher makes a big difference. And most custom firmware allows for overclocking. With good cooling, you can go much higher. So all Dreamcast games and most PSP games can be played on this chip at 1 to 2 times the resolution without any problems. Without frameskip. Their code is open to everyone. Thanks to the community for all the great software you create for it. And thank you to Ambernic for opening up their code to developers.launch

smart_display

September 7, 2025