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TrimUI Brick Hammer Pro U Review: A Premium Snapdragon Brick
2026-06-17 · 4.2 / 5 · $239 and up
Affiliate disclosure: This review contains affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate and Anbernic affiliate, we earn from qualifying purchases at no extra cost to you. Learn more.
TrimUI built its name on cheap, sharp, no-frills handhelds. The Brick Hammer Pro U goes the other way. It keeps the recognizable vertical Brick shape, then loads it with premium parts, a Snapdragon G2 Gen 1, hall effect sticks, a CNC machined aluminum body, and USB-C video output. This is the Brick for people who loved the form factor but wanted real Android power behind it.
It launches alongside the budget TrimUI Brick Pro, and the two could not be more different in intent. The Brick Pro is the cheap Linux 2D machine. The Hammer Pro U is the premium Android one.
Specs
| Screen | 3.95 inch IPS LCD, 1024x768, 60Hz |
| Processor | Qualcomm Snapdragon G2 Gen 1 (SG6150), 4x Cortex-A78 @ 2.4 GHz + 4x Cortex-A55 @ 1.95 GHz |
| GPU | Adreno A21 (up to 940 MHz) |
| RAM | 6 GB |
| Storage | 128 GB internal, microSD expansion |
| Battery | 5000 mAh |
| Sticks | Dual hall effect joysticks, ALPS buttons, replaceable shoulder buttons |
| Video out | USB-C video output |
| Connectivity | Wi-Fi 5, Bluetooth 5.1, USB-C |
| OS | Android |
| Build | CNC machined aluminum, Black / Gray / Silver |
| Price | From around $239 |
A Premium Take on the Brick Shape
The headline is the move to a Snapdragon G2 Gen 1 and full Android. The budget Bricks run Linux and stop around PS1. The Hammer Pro U is a different class of device. With a proper Snapdragon chip, 6 GB of RAM, and 128 GB of storage, it reaches well beyond what any prior Brick could.
The CNC machined aluminum body is the other big change. It gives the Hammer Pro U a premium feel that the polycarbonate Bricks do not have. The trade, of course, is price. This is no longer a $40 to $100 device.
Hall Effect Sticks and Video Out
Two additions matter a lot here. First, the hall effect joysticks. Hall sticks use magnetic sensors instead of physical contacts, which means they do not develop drift over time. For a device meant to run 3D systems, that is a real quality of life win. See our hall effect sticks guide for why this matters.
Second, USB-C video output. You can plug the Hammer Pro U into a TV or monitor and play on the big screen, pairing it with a Bluetooth controller. That turns the little vertical handheld into a tiny console when you want it. The list of handhelds with HDMI or video out is short, so this is a genuine differentiator.
Emulation Performance
The Snapdragon G2 Gen 1 is a capable mid tier chip. It is not a flagship like the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 in the Retroid Pocket 6, but it is a big step up from the budget Brick line.
- NES through GBA, PS1, N64. Full speed, no concerns.
- Dreamcast and PSP. Strong. Most of both libraries run at full speed. See the PSP emulation guide.
- PS2 and GameCube. The G2 Gen 1 handles a respectable chunk of both. Lighter and mid-weight titles run well, the heaviest need per game tuning. It is capable here, but not a dedicated PS2 or GameCube flagship.
- Switch 1. Limited. The G2 Gen 1 is below the chips that handle Switch comfortably.
For a vertical handheld, this is a strong emulation envelope. The vertical shape is best for 2D systems and arcade boards, but the power is here for 3D when you want it.
Software
The Hammer Pro U runs full Android, so the Play Store and every major emulator are available. Install a front end like Daijisho or ES-DE, set up cores with our RetroArch setup guide, and you are ready. The one click EmuDeck for Android installer is the fastest route to a complete setup.
Who Should Buy the TrimUI Brick Hammer Pro U
Buy the Hammer Pro U if you love the vertical Brick shape but want real Android power; you want hall effect sticks and no drift; you want USB-C video out for TV play; you play up through PSP and Dreamcast with some PS2 and GameCube.
Skip the Hammer Pro U if you want the cheapest Brick (get the Brick Pro); you want flagship power for Switch (look at the Retroid Pocket 6); you prefer a horizontal slab for 3D heavy libraries.
The Hammer Pro U is the most capable Brick TrimUI has made. It is a premium device with a budget device's silhouette, and for the right buyer that combination is very appealing.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does the TrimUI Brick Hammer Pro U cost?
It launches at around $239 on AliExpress and Amazon, with prices likely to drop after release. That is well above the budget Brick line.
What can the Brick Hammer Pro U emulate?
Everything through PS1 and N64 with ease, most of Dreamcast and PSP at full speed, and selective PS2 and GameCube. Switch is limited.
Does the Hammer Pro U have hall effect sticks?
Yes. It uses hall effect joysticks, which resist the drift that develops on traditional sticks over time.
Can the Hammer Pro U output to a TV?
Yes. It has USB-C video output, so you can play on a TV or monitor with a Bluetooth controller.
Is the Hammer Pro U better than the Brick Pro?
It is far more powerful and more premium, but also much more expensive. The Brick Pro is a budget Linux 2D machine. The Hammer Pro U is a premium Android device that reaches PS2 and GameCube.
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