Retroid Pocket 6, the latest entry in Retroid's line of popular handheld gaming consoles, continues to captivate retro gaming enthusiasts with its blend of classic aesthetics and modern hardware.
However, the device's road to release has been anything but straightforward.
Originally unveiled in October 2025, the Retroid Pocket 6 caught the attention of the gaming community not only for its features but also for the unusual circumstances surrounding its launch.
After facing online criticism about its design, Retroid made the unprecedented decision to pull the Pocket 6 from sale and open the floor to community feedback.
This unique approach resulted in the release of two separate models, each with a different controller layout—a testament to Retroid's commitment to user-driven innovation.
Despite overcoming its early design hurdles, the Retroid Pocket 6 has encountered another challenge impacting its release schedule.
Over the weekend, Retroid announced that shipments of the Pocket 6 will proceed in batches, a decision prompted by production constraints associated with the device’s advanced OLED screen.
According to details shared on Retroid's official Discord channel and reported by Android Authority, the root of the delay is a slowdown caused by “efficiency limitations in the RP6 OLED screen calibration and demura process.” The factory responsible for assembling the handheld reportedly lacks significant experience with OLED calibration, resulting in bottlenecks. In a clear statement to its community, Retroid explained, “We are currently only able to ship around 100 units of the black model (with the joystick positioned on top),” referencing the initial batch that shipped on January 19th.
To resolve the issue, the company invested in a new parallel demura calibration system for OLED panels.
This equipment was installed and debugged recently, and, as Retroid notes, it now allows up to 12 OLED panels to be calibrated and programmed simultaneously.
Thanks to this upgrade, Retroid projects a tenfold increase in screen production capacity, enabling the start of mass shipments from Wednesday, January 21st. The first wave to reach customers will include the black editions of the Retroid Pocket 6, encompassing both controller configurations—joystick on top and d-pad on top.
To optimize the assembly line and ensure fairness in fulfilling orders, Retroid stated that it aims to “produce two color variants simultaneously each working day.” Although the staggered release may disappoint some eager buyers, Retroid emphasizes that the recalibration process is a temporary hurdle and assures customers that console shipments will soon accelerate. The launch story of the Retroid Pocket 6 mirrors the company's emphasis on iterative design and responsiveness to its community.
As the handheld gaming market continues to grow—with platforms like the Nintendo Switch and other portable alternatives dominating the eShop—Retroid’s ability to adapt to production challenges and deliver high-quality retro-focused hardware secures its reputation as a major force among hardware enthusiasts.
However, the device's road to release has been anything but straightforward.
Originally unveiled in October 2025, the Retroid Pocket 6 caught the attention of the gaming community not only for its features but also for the unusual circumstances surrounding its launch.
After facing online criticism about its design, Retroid made the unprecedented decision to pull the Pocket 6 from sale and open the floor to community feedback.
This unique approach resulted in the release of two separate models, each with a different controller layout—a testament to Retroid's commitment to user-driven innovation.
Despite overcoming its early design hurdles, the Retroid Pocket 6 has encountered another challenge impacting its release schedule.
Over the weekend, Retroid announced that shipments of the Pocket 6 will proceed in batches, a decision prompted by production constraints associated with the device’s advanced OLED screen.
According to details shared on Retroid's official Discord channel and reported by Android Authority, the root of the delay is a slowdown caused by “efficiency limitations in the RP6 OLED screen calibration and demura process.” The factory responsible for assembling the handheld reportedly lacks significant experience with OLED calibration, resulting in bottlenecks. In a clear statement to its community, Retroid explained, “We are currently only able to ship around 100 units of the black model (with the joystick positioned on top),” referencing the initial batch that shipped on January 19th.
To resolve the issue, the company invested in a new parallel demura calibration system for OLED panels.
This equipment was installed and debugged recently, and, as Retroid notes, it now allows up to 12 OLED panels to be calibrated and programmed simultaneously.
Thanks to this upgrade, Retroid projects a tenfold increase in screen production capacity, enabling the start of mass shipments from Wednesday, January 21st. The first wave to reach customers will include the black editions of the Retroid Pocket 6, encompassing both controller configurations—joystick on top and d-pad on top.
To optimize the assembly line and ensure fairness in fulfilling orders, Retroid stated that it aims to “produce two color variants simultaneously each working day.” Although the staggered release may disappoint some eager buyers, Retroid emphasizes that the recalibration process is a temporary hurdle and assures customers that console shipments will soon accelerate. The launch story of the Retroid Pocket 6 mirrors the company's emphasis on iterative design and responsiveness to its community.
As the handheld gaming market continues to grow—with platforms like the Nintendo Switch and other portable alternatives dominating the eShop—Retroid’s ability to adapt to production challenges and deliver high-quality retro-focused hardware secures its reputation as a major force among hardware enthusiasts.