The £100 Question: Anbernic RG35XX Plus vs. Miyoo Mini Plus – Which Retro Handheld Reigns Supreme in 2026?
A few months ago, I was chatting with a mate down at The King's Head, nursing a pint of Doom Bar, when he pulled out a sleek, pocket-sized device. "Guess what this cost me," he challenged, a mischievous glint in his eye. I braced myself, expecting the usual tale of woe about imported tech tariffs or a hefty price tag for something that looked like a glorified Tamagotchi. "Fifty quid," he declared, "and it plays everything from Super Mario World to Crash Bandicoot." My jaw nearly hit the sticky pub floor. This wasn't some flimsy knock-off; it was a Miyoo Mini Plus, and it perfectly encapsulated the seismic shift I’ve been observing in the retro handheld market. What was once a niche pursuit for tinkerers and tech enthusiasts has, by 2026, become a mainstream phenomenon, offering incredible power and accessibility at prices that would have been unimaginable just a few years ago. The £100 mark, in particular, has become a battleground for some truly exceptional devices, and two titans stand out: the Anbernic RG35XX Plus and the Miyoo Mini Plus. So, which one deserves your hard-earned quid? I’ve put both through their paces, and I've got some strong opinions.
The Contenders: A Closer Look at the Hardware
Let's get down to brass tacks. We're not talking about devices that struggle to run SNES ROMs anymore; these sub-£100 marvels are punching well above their weight. The Anbernic RG35XX Plus, a successor to the wildly popular RG35XX, comes equipped with an H700 quad-core ARM Cortex-A53 CPU clocking in at 1.5GHz and 1GB of LPDDR4 RAM. It boasts a beautiful 3.5-inch IPS display with a resolution of 640x480, perfect for those pixel-perfect retro games. Crucially, it features dual TF card slots, allowing for separate storage of the operating system and game ROMs – a small but significant quality-of-life improvement. Its 3300mAh battery promises a solid 6-8 hours of playtime, depending on the intensity of the emulation.
The Miyoo Mini Plus, on the other hand, sports an Allwinner A33 quad-core ARM Cortex-A7 CPU, also at 1.5GHz, with 256MB of RAM. Yes, you read that right, 256MB. This might sound like a significant downgrade compared to the Anbernic, but as I’ll explain, raw specs don't always tell the full story. It also features a 3.5-inch IPS display at 640x480 and a 3000mAh battery, offering comparable battery life. Both devices are remarkably compact, fitting comfortably into a jacket pocket, making them ideal companions for a commute on the Tube or a quiet evening at home. The physical design of both devices pays homage to classic handhelds, with well-placed D-pads and responsive face buttons, but there are subtle differences in ergonomics that can make or break the experience.
Ergonomics and Build Quality: A Tangible Difference
When I first held the Anbernic RG35XX Plus, I was immediately impressed by its solid, reassuring weight. It feels substantial, not cheap. The plastic shell, while not premium, is well-moulded, and there's no creaking or flex. The D-pad is wonderfully clicky and precise, a joy for fighting games and platformers where every input counts. The face buttons have a satisfying travel, and the shoulder buttons, while a bit small, are perfectly functional. Anbernic has clearly refined its manufacturing processes, which is evident in the overall fit and finish. I particularly appreciate the placement of the volume and power buttons; they’re easily accessible without being accidentally pressed during intense gaming sessions.
The Miyoo Mini Plus, while undeniably charming with its almost impossibly small form factor, feels a touch more delicate. The plastic is lighter, and while it doesn't feel flimsy, it lacks the robust feel of the Anbernic. Its D-pad is softer, less clicky, which some purists might prefer for certain retro titles, but I personally found it less precise for quick, directional changes. The standout ergonomic issue for me, however, is the placement of the rear shoulder buttons. They are stacked rather than side-by-side, which can feel a little awkward for larger hands, particularly when trying to hit L2 and R2 simultaneously. For quick bursts of gaming, it's fine, but for extended play sessions, my hands started to cramp slightly. This is a crucial point for me, as I often find myself lost in a 2-hour Chrono Trigger session, and comfort becomes paramount. I've heard similar feedback from friends in the UK retro gaming communities, with many opting for third-party grips to alleviate this issue.
Emulation Performance: Beyond the Numbers
This is where the rubber meets the road, isn't it? Both devices absolutely excel at emulating the 8-bit and 16-bit eras. NES, SNES, Sega Genesis, Game Boy, Game Boy Advance – they all run flawlessly on both the Anbernic and the Miyoo. Super Metroid on the Anbernic's vibrant IPS screen is a thing of beauty, and the Miyoo handles Castlevania: Aria of Sorrow with aplomb. The real test, however, comes with PlayStation 1 and, more ambitiously, some Nintendo 64 and Dreamcast titles.
The Anbernic RG35XX Plus, with its superior RAM and slightly more powerful CPU, really shines here. It handles most PS1 games flawlessly, often with enhanced resolution options available through custom firmware. I tested Crash Bandicoot 3: Warped and Metal Gear Solid, and both ran at a buttery-smooth 60 frames per second. Even some demanding N64 titles like Mario 64 and Zelda: Ocarina of Time are perfectly playable, albeit with occasional frame drops in complex areas on Ocarina of Time. Dreamcast emulation is a mixed bag, as expected at this price point, but simpler titles like Crazy Taxi are surprisingly enjoyable. This level of performance, for a device costing around £70-£80, is genuinely astonishing. It means you're not just getting a nostalgia machine; you're getting a portable PS1 and N64.
The Miyoo Mini Plus, despite its lower RAM, still performs admirably. Its strength lies in its highly optimized custom firmware, which we'll discuss shortly. PS1 emulation is very good, with the vast majority of titles running without issue. I played through a good chunk of Final Fantasy VII on the Miyoo, and it was a fantastic experience. However, when pushed to N64, the Miyoo struggles more noticeably than the Anbernic. While Mario 64 is playable, it's not as consistently smooth, and more demanding titles are largely off-limits. This isn't a knock against the Miyoo; it's simply a reflection of its hardware limitations. It's important to set realistic expectations: these aren't PS2 or GameCube powerhouses, but for their price, their PS1 performance is outstanding.
The OS Wars: Custom Firmware vs. Out-of-the-Box Experience
This is perhaps the most significant differentiator between these two handhelds. Both come with their own stock operating systems, but the true potential of these devices is unlocked through custom firmware.
The Anbernic RG35XX Plus ships with a Linux-based OS that, while functional, is a bit barebones. It gets the job done, but it lacks polish. However, the community around Anbernic devices is incredibly active, and custom firmware like GarlicOS and Batocera Lite are readily available. Installing GarlicOS on the RG35XX Plus transformed the device. The interface becomes slick, intuitive, and packed with features like save states, rewind, and per-game settings. It’s a relatively straightforward process for anyone comfortable with flashing an SD card, and there are numerous guides online, even for those who consider themselves tech novices. The beauty of these custom firmwares is that they are constantly being updated and refined by passionate developers, fixing bugs and adding new emulator cores. This means your device actually gets better over time, which is a rare and wonderful thing in consumer electronics.
The Miyoo Mini Plus, on the other hand, has gained legendary status thanks to OnionOS. This custom firmware is, in my opinion, one of the finest examples of community-driven software development I've ever seen. It’s incredibly polished, user-friendly, and packed with features that make the Miyoo an absolute joy to use. The stock Miyoo OS is decent, but OnionOS elevates the experience to another level entirely. Installing it is also a relatively simple process – download, extract to an SD card, and boot. What sets OnionOS apart is its elegant interface, excellent game switcher, and robust package of pre-configured emulators. Even with its slightly less powerful hardware, OnionOS squeezes every last drop of performance out of the Miyoo, making its PS1 emulation particularly impressive. The developer community behind OnionOS is incredibly responsive, often pushing out updates that address user feedback and add new functionalities. This dedication to user experience is why the Miyoo Mini Plus, despite its humble specs, maintains such a loyal following.
The Verdict: Which £100 Handheld Should You Choose in 2026?
So, after countless hours of button mashing, ROM testing, and firmware flashing, which pocket rocket deserves your allegiance and your hard-earned cash? It's a tough call, but for me, there's a clear winner, albeit with a caveat.
The Anbernic RG35XX Plus is the superior device for raw power and versatility. Its stronger processor and increased RAM make it the better choice for pushing the boundaries of emulation, particularly if you're keen on exploring N64 and some Dreamcast titles alongside your PS1 library. The ergonomics are more comfortable for extended play, and the build quality feels more robust, which is important for a device that will likely be rattling around in your bag. While its stock OS is merely adequate, the readily available custom firmwares like GarlicOS transform it into a formidable retro gaming machine. If you're willing to spend a little time flashing an SD card and tweaking settings, the Anbernic offers exceptional value and performance for its £70-£80 price tag. This device truly bridges the gap between the budget-friendly and the more powerful, higher-end handhelds that cost upwards of £180 for PS2/GameCube emulation.
However, if ease of use, a near-perfect out-of-the-box custom firmware experience, and a slightly more compact form factor are your top priorities, then the Miyoo Mini Plus is still an outstanding choice. Its performance for PS1 and earlier systems is almost indistinguishable from the Anbernic for most games, thanks to the incredible optimization of OnionOS. If you're someone who just wants to load up an SD card and start playing without much fuss, and your emulation needs don't extend much beyond PS1, the Miyoo Mini Plus, typically priced around £50-£60, remains an absolute gem. Its community support and the polish of OnionOS make it an incredibly accessible entry point into the world of retro handhelds.
My recommendation, if I had to pick just one, goes to the Anbernic RG35XX Plus. The slight bump in price is more than justified by its superior performance ceiling, more comfortable ergonomics for prolonged play, and robust build. The ability to reliably play a significant portion of the N64 library, something the Miyoo struggles with, gives it the edge in future-proofing and overall value. While OnionOS on the Miyoo is a masterpiece, the Anbernic with GarlicOS or Batocera Lite isn't far behind in terms of user experience, and it simply offers more raw horsepower for those demanding titles. In 2026, when the retro handheld market is packed with options, the Anbernic RG35XX Plus represents the true "sweet spot" – an incredible blend of affordability, performance, and user experience that is hard to beat for under £100.