ANBERNIC's RG DS Plus launched on September 15, 2026, and it is the company's most direct answer yet to one specific request from retro handheld fans: a proper dual-screen clamshell built around Nintendo DS-style play. The first 72 hours priced it at $84.99 before settling at its regular $94.99.
Unlike most ANBERNIC releases, which emulate a single console format in a single-screen shell, the RG DS Plus is built specifically around the dual-screen layout that made the original DS library work the way it did.
It is a Linux clamshell with a hidden stylus, a 4000mAh battery, and expandable storage through two microSD slots. Review outlets have generally called it close to the best dedicated DS emulation handheld on the market, with some caveats.
Here is what the specs actually mean for day-to-day use, where reviewers landed on it, and what a new owner should plan to buy alongside it.
Both screens measure 4.3 inches corner to corner at a 1024x768 resolution, which is a meaningful upgrade over the original DS hardware's much lower native resolution. The clamshell hinge keeps both panels visible simultaneously, matching how DS software expects to be displayed.
That resolution bump means upscaled DS games look noticeably sharper than on original hardware, though it also means the emulation layer has to work a bit harder to render touch-based mechanics accurately on the lower screen.
Inside is a Rockchip RK3568 chip clocked up to 2.0GHz paired with a Mali-G52 2EE GPU and 1GB of RAM. That is a modest spec sheet by current flagship-handheld standards, but DS-era software does not demand much horsepower, so the pairing is adequate for its intended library.
Reviewers have noted the chip handles DS titles cleanly but can show its limits if a user pushes the device toward slightly more demanding systems outside its core use case.
The 4000mAh battery delivers roughly six hours of play per charge, which is reasonable for a dual-screen device that is inherently more power-hungry than a single-panel handheld. Two microSD slots support up to 2TB of expandable storage combined.
Wi-Fi and Bluetooth 4.2 round out the connectivity, enough for local multiplayer workarounds and wireless controller pairing, though it is not positioned as an online-first device.
At 344 grams, the clamshell form factor sits comfortably in two hands without feeling top-heavy when open. The hidden stylus is a small but meaningful detail, since DS software leaned heavily on touch input and a lost or missing stylus would undercut the whole point of the hardware.
Early reviews flagged the hinge as solid rather than loose, which matters for a clamshell design that will be opened and closed constantly over its lifespan.
Dedicated retro handheld outlets have generally positioned the RG DS Plus as the strongest dedicated DS-focused handheld in ANBERNIC's current lineup, with the screen resolution and hinge quality cited as the standout strengths. The most common critique centers on the modest RAM ceiling for anything beyond DS-era emulation.
That consensus lines up with ANBERNIC's usual positioning: this is a device built to do one thing extremely well rather than chase broad multi-system versatility.
ANBERNIC has released several distinct form factors recently, including the swiveling RG Rotate and the compact RG SP, each targeting a different play style. The RG DS Plus fills the dual-screen gap those devices do not address.
For collectors who already own a single-screen ANBERNIC device, the RG DS Plus is less a replacement and more a dedicated addition aimed specifically at the DS library.
At $94.99 regular price, the RG DS Plus sits above budget single-screen ANBERNIC devices but well below higher-end flagship handhelds from the broader retro handheld market. That positioning places it as a specialist device rather than a do-everything flagship purchase.
Collectors weighing it against ANBERNIC's own RG SP or RG Rotate should remember those devices target single-screen systems, so the price difference reflects added hardware (two screens, a hinge, a stylus) rather than a simple spec upgrade on the same form factor.
It launched September 15, 2026, starting at $84.99 for the first 72 hours.
The regular price settled at $94.99.
Roughly six hours of play per charge from its 4000mAh battery.
Yes, two microSD slots support up to 2TB of combined expandable storage.
A clamshell handheld spends most of its life opening, closing, and getting tossed into a bag, which makes a dedicated stand and basic maintenance kit worth having on day one rather than after the first scare. Setting the device on a stable display stand between sessions also keeps the hinge from bearing weight it was not designed for.
EVORETRO's adjustable acrylic easel stand gives a clamshell handheld a stable resting position for display or charging between sessions.
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