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The Trimui Smart Pro is one of the better value budget handhelds on the market. It pairs a sharp 4.96 inch 720p screen with dual analog sticks and a large battery, all at a low price. It is not a flagship, but for retro gaming up to PS1 it punches well above its cost.
✓ Pros
- • Sharp 4.96 inch 1280x720 IPS screen
- • Dual analog sticks at a budget price
- • Large 5,000 mAh battery
- • Strong custom firmware support including CrossMix and KNULLI
- • Wi-Fi for box art and RetroAchievements
- • Excellent value for the price
✗ Cons
- • Allwinner A133 chip tops out around PS1
- • N64, Dreamcast, and PSP are inconsistent
- • Stock firmware is basic, so custom firmware is recommended
- • No GameCube or PS2 support
Build and Design
The Smart Pro is a horizontal handheld with a comfortable, modern layout. The dual analog sticks are a welcome sight at this price, and the face buttons and D-pad feel good. The shell is plastic but solid, and the device sits well in two hands.
It is larger than a pocket micro handheld, but it stays portable. The size suits the 4.96 inch screen and gives the controls room.
Display
The 4.96 inch IPS panel runs at 1280x720. It is bright, sharp, and a real highlight at this price. The resolution gives retro games clean scaling, and widescreen systems like N64 and PSP fill the panel nicely. For a budget device, the screen quality is a standout.
Technical Specifications
| Screen | 4.96 inch IPS, 1280x720 |
| Processor | Allwinner A133 Plus (quad-core Cortex-A53) |
| RAM | 1GB |
| Storage | microSD |
| Battery | 5,000 mAh |
| OS | Stock Linux (CrossMix and KNULLI supported) |
| Controls | Dual analog sticks |
| Connectivity | Wi-Fi, USB-C, 3.5mm |
Emulation Performance
The Allwinner A133 is a budget chip. It is excellent through PS1 and inconsistent above it, which is the usual story for this hardware class.
- NES, Game Boy, GBC, GBA: Perfect.
- SNES: Flawless, including special chip titles.
- Genesis, Master System, PC Engine: Perfect.
- Arcade, CPS, Neo Geo: Excellent for the classic boards.
- PS1: Excellent. Full speed across most of the library.
- N64: Inconsistent. Some titles run, many need tweaks or fall short.
- Dreamcast: Inconsistent. Lighter games run, demanding ones struggle.
- PSP: Inconsistent. Simple titles only.
- GameCube, PS2, Wii: Not supported.
Buy the Smart Pro as a great PS1 and retro machine with dual sticks. Treat anything above PS1 as a bonus.
Battery Life
The 5,000 mAh battery is large for a device this size and gives strong runtime on the systems the Smart Pro runs best. Lighter systems last a long time. Charging is over USB-C with play while charging.
Firmware and Software
The stock firmware is functional but basic. The Smart Pro really comes alive on custom firmware. CrossMix and KNULLI are both popular choices and add a clean launcher, box art scraping, RetroAchievements, and per system settings. Most owners flash a custom firmware to get the best experience.
Trimui Smart Pro vs Budget Rivals
Among budget handhelds, the Smart Pro stands out for offering dual analog sticks and a 720p screen at a low price. Against a pocket device like the Anbernic RG35XX, the Smart Pro is larger, has sticks, and has a bigger screen, while the RG35XX is more pocketable. Both top out around PS1.
Who Is This For?
The Trimui Smart Pro is a great fit for:
- Budget buyers who want analog sticks and a sharp screen
- Retro fans whose library lives up to PS1
- Custom firmware users who want a clean, flexible setup
- Value seekers who want a lot of handheld for the money
It is not the right pick for GameCube, PS2, or anyone who needs reliable N64 and PSP.
Final Verdict
The Trimui Smart Pro is one of the best value budget handhelds available. The 720p screen, dual sticks, and big battery are rare at this price, and for retro gaming up to PS1 it is hard to beat. The A133 chip is the limit, so set expectations at PS1 and below.
If you want a capable, affordable retro handheld with sticks and a great screen, the Smart Pro is an easy recommendation.
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