The Retroid Pocket 4 Pro is an impressive upgrade over its predecessor, the Retroid Pocket 3+, bringing a host of new features and enhanced performance to retro gaming enthusiasts. It's an absolute beast in the world of handheld retro gaming, and this review will delve into the technical improvements and overall experience of the Retroid Pocket 4 Pro while comparing it to the Retroid Pocket 3+.
Design and Build Quality
Retroid Pocket 4 Pro:
- Display: 4.7-inch touch screen, 750×1334 resolution.
- Joysticks: Hall effect analog sticks with concave grips.
- Triggers: Analog triggers.
- Battery: 5000mAh.
- OS: Android 13.
The Retroid Pocket 4 Pro maintains a sleek design similar to the 3+, but with key improvements. The hall effect analogue sticks provide more precise control, and the analogue triggers offer better feedback, enhancing the overall gaming experience. The larger 5000mAh battery ensures longer gaming sessions, and the Android 13 OS offers a more modern and fluid user interface.
Retroid Pocket 3+:
- Display: 4.7-inch touch screen, 750×1334 resolution.
- Joysticks: Standard analog sticks with Switch-like tops.
- Triggers: Digital triggers.
- Battery: 4000mAh.
- OS: Android 11.
The Retroid Pocket 3+ features the same display size and resolution, but its standard analog sticks and digital triggers are less advanced compared to the 4 Pro. The smaller 4000mAh battery offers shorter gaming sessions, and the Android 11 OS is less up-to-date.
Performance and Specifications
Retroid Pocket 4 Pro:
- CPU: MediaTek Dimensity 1100.
- GPU: Mali G77 MC9.
- RAM: 8GB.
- Storage: 128GB.
The Retroid Pocket 4 Pro is equipped with a MediaTek Dimensity 1100 CPU and Mali G77 MC9 GPU, making it significantly more powerful than the Retroid Pocket 3+. This setup allows the 4 Pro to handle more demanding emulation tasks, such as PlayStation 2 and GameCube games, with smoother performance and higher reliability. The 8GB of RAM and 128GB of storage provide ample space for multitasking and storing a large game library.
Retroid Pocket 3+:
- CPU: Unisoc Tiger T618.
- GPU: Mali G52.
- RAM: 4GB.
- Storage: 64GB.
The Retroid Pocket 3+ has a less powerful Unisoc Tiger T618 CPU and Mali G52 GPU, which limits its ability to emulate more demanding consoles. It is more suited for older systems like the PlayStation 1 and Nintendo 64. The 4GB of RAM and 64GB of storage are also lower, potentially leading to slower performance and less storage capacity.
Software and User Experience
Retroid Pocket 4 Pro:
- OS: Android 13 with Retroid Launcher.
- Features: Customizable controller configurations, built-in screen recorder, HDMI output, performance settings accessible in-game.
The Retroid Pocket 4 Pro's Android 13 OS provides a modern, secure, and user-friendly experience. The custom Retroid Launcher simplifies emulator setup and game management. Additional features like a built-in screen recorder and HDMI output make it a versatile device for both gaming and productivity. The ability to access performance settings during gameplay allows users to optimize their experience on the fly.
Retroid Pocket 3+:
- OS: Android 11 with Retroid Launcher.
- Features: Basic customizable settings, lacks some advanced features found in the RP4 Pro.
While the Retroid Pocket 3+ also uses the Retroid Launcher to simplify game management, it lacks the advanced features of the 4 Pro, such as the built-in screen recorder and HDMI output. The older Android 11 OS does not provide the same level of performance and security as Android 13.
Emulation and Gaming Performance
Retroid Pocket 4 Pro:
- Supported Consoles: PlayStation 2, GameCube, PlayStation Portable, and more.
- Performance: Smooth emulation for PS2 and GameCube, occasional slowdowns on very demanding titles.
The Retroid Pocket 4 Pro excels in emulating higher-end consoles like the PS2 and GameCube, which the Retroid Pocket 3+ struggles with. Its superior hardware ensures a better gaming experience with smoother frame rates and fewer performance issues.
Retroid Pocket 3+:
- Supported Consoles: PlayStation 1, Nintendo 64, PlayStation Portable and PS2 (with significant limitations).
- Performance: Good performance for older consoles, struggles with PS2 and GameCube emulation.
The Retroid Pocket 3+ performs well with older consoles but cannot handle the more demanding emulation tasks that the 4 Pro can manage. Its limitations become apparent with more resource-intensive games.
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Conclusion
The Retroid Pocket 4 Pro represents a significant upgrade over the Retroid Pocket 3+, particularly in terms of performance, battery life, and advanced features. It's an absolute beast for retro gaming enthusiasts and those looking for a handheld capable of handling a wide range of consoles. The Retroid Pocket 4 Pro is an excellent choice, providing robust performance and a rich feature set at a competitive price point.