Anbernic betrayed RG DDSShort for “Dream Dual-Screen”, calling it his new flagship handheld. It is a big step up from the RG DSthe budget dual-screen clamshell that launched late last year for under $100. Anbernic hasn’t announced the RG DDS price or release date yet, but the spec sheet shows what’s changing.
RG DDS vs RG DS: Screens
The RG DS uses two matching 4-inch 640 x 480 IPS Touchscreens with capacitive stylus support. The RG DDS breaks down the sizes like Nintendo’s 3DS did: approx 4.7-inch 5:3 top screen at 1200 x 720 and approximately 4-inch 4:3 bottom screen at 960 x 720. Both are custom IPS panels at 300 PPI with a specified 500 nits brightness.
Anbernic says that each display is exactly three times the width and height of the corresponding original 3DS image, so the aspect ratio remains correct with a clean whole scale. Color, brightness, refresh rate and display material are matched across the two screens for a consistent look.
Snapdragon power and a fan
The biggest performance jump is the chip. The RG DS runs a rock chip RK3568 with four Cortex-A55 cores up to 2GHz, Mali-G52 2EE graphics, 3GB of RAM and 32GB of storage. The RG DDS is moving to Qualcomm Snapdragon G2 Gen 2a gaming handheld chip, and added active cooling with an internal fan. Anbernic has not yet listed RAM or storage for the RG DDS.
Battery is running out 4,000 mAh on the RG DS, rated at around 6 hours, too 6,000 mAh on the RG DDS. Anbernic has not published a battery life figure for the new model.
Controls, sound and stylus
Both have handhelds two analog piecesa D-pad and ABXY buttons around the bottom screen. On the RG DDS, Anbernic says the layout was designed around where your fingers would naturally reach. It adds front stereo speakers, a new one Z-axis linear motor for finer vibration, a UV-coated finish and double alloy friction hinges for the lid.
A built-in retractable stylus slip into the RG DDS body, and a redesigned control center puts performance, cooling, brightness, volume and dual-screen settings in one panel. The RG DS supports a capacitive stylus and lets you switch focus between screens or run a different app on each one.
Price and how to wait
The RG DS is the cheap way into dual-screen emulation today, and it handles Nintendo DS games and similar systems well. The RG DDS aims for 3DS-style gaming with sharper, correctly scaled screens and a lot more power, but it will almost certainly cost more. If you want something now, the RG DS is available; if 3DS games are your goal, wait for RG DDS pricing. For another retro handheld launching this fall, check out our Evercade Nexus vs EXP-R comparison.
The Anbernic RG DS is available at a normal price of $99.99 in Anbernic’s store from October 12, 2026, with a retail price of $94.99 on the standard version. You can also buy the Anbernic RG DS on Amazon. The RG DDS first look does not yet have a price or release date. As an Amazon affiliate, Trendy Gadget earns from qualified purchases.
| spec | Anbernic RG DDS | Anbernic RG DS |
|---|---|---|
| announced | October 9, 2026 | 2025 |
| Price US | Not announced | $99.99 (Anbernic, $94.99 sale) |
| Upper screen | ~4.7 inch IPS, 1200 x 720, 5:3 | 4 inch IPS touch, 640 x 480 |
| Lower screen | ~4-inch IPS, 960 x 720, 4:3 | 4 inch IPS touch, 640 x 480 |
| Brightness/Density | 500 nits, 300 PPI | Don’t mention it |
| Chip | Snapdragon G2 Gen 2 | Rockchip RK3568, Mali-G52 2EE |
| Memory/storage | Not announced | 3GB / 32GB, microSD up to 2TB |
| cooling down | Active, internal fan | Not listed |
| Battery | 6,000 mAh | 4,000mAh, about 6 hours |
| controls | Dual analog sticks, D-pad, ABXY | Dual Analog Sticks, D-Pad, ABXY, 4 Shoulder Buttons |
| stylus | Built-in retractable | Capacitive stylus support |
| Extras | Front stereo speakers, Z-axis linear motor, alloy friction hinges | Stereo speakers, vibration motor, 6-axis gyro |
| Where to buy | View of Anbernic | Buy on Amazon |