Anbernic has officially revealed the RG SP, the latest in its series of Game Boy Advance SP–inspired emulation handhelds.
The announcement came in a company video published July 21, 2026, and positions the RG SP as a slim, clamshell Linux-based device that continues Anbernic's focus on portable retro gaming.
Background and lineage
Anbernic first entered the modern GBA SP-style market with the RG35XX SP in 2024, a Linux handheld that drew favorable attention as a budget-conscious clamshell recreation of Nintendo's iconic design.
The company followed up in 2025 with the RG34XX SP, which retained similar core performance while introducing sunken dual analog joysticks.
The new RG SP builds on that lineage while removing thumbsticks in favor of tactile, button-based controls.
What Anbernic revealed
According to Anbernic's reveal video, the RG SP is a stickless, Linux-based clamshell device equipped with a 3.4-inch IPS display at a 720 x 480 resolution.
The company highlighted a thinner top bezel that it says is 25 percent reduced compared with previous models, dual alloy hinges, and a premium metallic finish available in four colors: pink, teal, black, and grey.
Anbernic also emphasized an ultra-slim chassis and a return to tactile button layouts intended to echo 2D-era handheld ergonomics.
Paraphrasing the company's messaging, Anbernic framed the RG SP as a streamlined return to classic handheld feel, swapping joysticks for refined tactile buttons and a polished exterior to evoke the look and sensation of earlier handheld gaming.
Specifications and unknowns
Confirmed details from the reveal include the 3.4-inch 720 x 480 IPS display, Linux-based software approach, absence of analog thumbsticks, dual alloy hinges, the thinner top bezel, and the four finish options.
Anbernic has not published full hardware specifications such as CPU, RAM, battery capacity, internal storage, or pricing at the time of the July 21, 2026 reveal.
What to expect next
Anbernic's community and retail partners typically publish hands-on impressions and technical breakdowns in the weeks after a reveal.
Prospective buyers should watch official Anbernic channels, retailer listings, and eShop-style marketplaces for regional availability, pricing, and launch windows.
Have thoughts on Anbernic's return to the clamshell form?
Share your impressions on the RG SP and how it compares to prior models and Nintendo's original GBA SP design.
The announcement came in a company video published July 21, 2026, and positions the RG SP as a slim, clamshell Linux-based device that continues Anbernic's focus on portable retro gaming.
Background and lineage
Anbernic first entered the modern GBA SP-style market with the RG35XX SP in 2024, a Linux handheld that drew favorable attention as a budget-conscious clamshell recreation of Nintendo's iconic design.
The company followed up in 2025 with the RG34XX SP, which retained similar core performance while introducing sunken dual analog joysticks.
The new RG SP builds on that lineage while removing thumbsticks in favor of tactile, button-based controls.
What Anbernic revealed
According to Anbernic's reveal video, the RG SP is a stickless, Linux-based clamshell device equipped with a 3.4-inch IPS display at a 720 x 480 resolution.
The company highlighted a thinner top bezel that it says is 25 percent reduced compared with previous models, dual alloy hinges, and a premium metallic finish available in four colors: pink, teal, black, and grey.
Anbernic also emphasized an ultra-slim chassis and a return to tactile button layouts intended to echo 2D-era handheld ergonomics.
Paraphrasing the company's messaging, Anbernic framed the RG SP as a streamlined return to classic handheld feel, swapping joysticks for refined tactile buttons and a polished exterior to evoke the look and sensation of earlier handheld gaming.
Specifications and unknowns
Confirmed details from the reveal include the 3.4-inch 720 x 480 IPS display, Linux-based software approach, absence of analog thumbsticks, dual alloy hinges, the thinner top bezel, and the four finish options.
Anbernic has not published full hardware specifications such as CPU, RAM, battery capacity, internal storage, or pricing at the time of the July 21, 2026 reveal.
What to expect next
Anbernic's community and retail partners typically publish hands-on impressions and technical breakdowns in the weeks after a reveal.
Prospective buyers should watch official Anbernic channels, retailer listings, and eShop-style marketplaces for regional availability, pricing, and launch windows.
Have thoughts on Anbernic's return to the clamshell form?
Share your impressions on the RG SP and how it compares to prior models and Nintendo's original GBA SP design.
