Powkiddy RGB30 vs Anbernic RG35XX: Square Screen or Pocket Classic?

The Powkiddy RGB30 and the Anbernic RG35XX are both budget handhelds, but they want different things. The RGB30 is built around a 4 inch square screen and a more capable chip. The RG35XX is a small vertical handheld with a polished firmware ecosystem and a lower price. The right pick depends on what you play and how you carry it.

Specs Head to Head

Screen and Shape

This is the heart of the decision. The RGB30 has a 4 inch 1:1 square screen. It is perfect for Game Boy, vertical arcade shooters, and classic arcade boards. It looks fantastic for those systems. The cost is that 4:3 console games get letterboxed and widescreen content gets small.

The RG35XX has a 3.5 inch 4:3 screen. That shape matches the bulk of retro consoles like SNES, Genesis, and PS1. Nothing about it is flashy, but it fits the most common content cleanly.

If your library is Game Boy and arcade heavy, the RGB30 is special. If it is console heavy, the RG35XX shape is the safer match.

Performance

The RGB30's RK3566 is the stronger chip. Both devices are perfect through PS1. Above PS1, the RGB30 pulls ahead and can attempt N64, Dreamcast, and PSP, with mixed but real results. The RG35XX tops out around PS1 and is not built to climb higher.

For 8-bit and 16-bit gaming the two are effectively tied. The gap only appears when you reach for the harder systems, where the RGB30 has the headroom and the RG35XX does not.

Controls

The RGB30 has dual analog sticks. That matters for N64, PSP, and 3D PS1 games. The RG35XX has no sticks at all, which rules out comfortable analog control and makes N64 impractical anyway.

If you want to play anything with a stick, the RGB30 is the only option here. If your library is 2D, the lack of sticks on the RG35XX is not a loss.

Firmware

The RG35XX has the deeper, more polished firmware story. GarlicOS, muOS, and KNULLI are all mature and easy to live with, and the community support is excellent. Our muOS vs KNULLI vs Onion OS guide covers the options.

The RGB30 runs JELOS or ROCKNIX, which are solid open source Linux firmwares. They are very capable, though setup asks for a little more patience than the Anbernic ecosystem.

Portability and Battery

The RG35XX is smaller and easier to pocket. The RGB30 is taller and chunkier because of the square screen, so it is more of a bag device than a pocket device.

Both last a long time on lighter systems. The RGB30's larger 4,100 mAh battery gives it an edge for longer sessions, while the RG35XX still delivers strong runtime for its size.

The Verdict

Buy the Powkiddy RGB30 if: You love Game Boy, arcade boards, and vertical shooters, you want analog sticks, and you want a little extra power for N64, Dreamcast, and PSP. The square screen is the reason to own it.

Buy the Anbernic RG35XX if: You want the most pocketable, most affordable option, your library is mostly 4:3 console games up to PS1, and you value the polished custom firmware ecosystem.

Both are good budget handhelds. The RGB30 is a specialist with more power. The RG35XX is a clean, cheap classic. Pick the one that matches your library and your pocket.