Anbernic RG Rotate: a retro handheld with a rotating screen launches May 11 from $88
Anbernic's new RG Rotate goes on sale May 11 with a party trick most handhelds don't have: a screen that rotates open on a mechanical hinge, Motorola Flipout-style. The Polar Black model starts at $87.99, with early-bird pricing of $82.99 for the first 72 hours. A premium Aurora Silver version with an all-metal shell costs $107.99 ($99.99 early bird), per the RetroDodo spec announcement.
The look
Closed, the RG Rotate is a near-perfect square that slips into a pocket. Rotate the screen open and it reveals a full button layout — D-pad, face buttons, shoulder triggers — in a form factor that echoes the original Nintendo DS, minus the second display. Anbernic says the hinge has been tested for durability, though how it holds up after months of daily use remains to be seen; Notebookcheck's launch report flags long-term longevity as an open question.
The RG Rotate closed (left) and open (right), showing the rotating hinge mechanism.
The 3.5-inch IPS touchscreen runs at 720×720 — a 1:1 square resolution. That's a good fit for Game Boy Advance, PlayStation 1, and Nintendo 64 games, which were designed for squarish or 4:3 displays. PS2 and Wii titles are technically supported but will show letterboxing or stretch on a square screen, so this isn't the handheld to buy if those libraries are your priority.
The specs
Inside sits a Unisoc Tiger T618 chip — an eight-core processor clocked up to 2 GHz paired with a Mali-G52 GPU — alongside 3 GB of RAM and 32 GB of storage. The 2,000 mAh battery is rated for around five hours of gameplay and charges via USB-C at 10 W. The device runs Android 12, supports Wi-Fi 5 and Bluetooth 5.0, and can double as a music player when the screen is folded closed. There are no analog sticks.
The RG Rotate's internal button layout, revealed when the screen rotates open.
The T618 is a capable chip for 16-bit and 32-bit emulation, but it's a 2019-era design. Buyers expecting smooth PS2 or Wii performance will likely be disappointed — and the 1:1 display compounds that problem.
The Anbernic RG Rotate in Polar Black.
Price and availability
Pre-orders open on May 11 at 6 AM ET directly through ANBERNIC.com. The two models are Polar Black ($87.99 / $82.99 early bird) and Aurora Silver ($107.99 / $99.99 early bird). No US or UK retail listings have been announced, and shipping costs are not included in the listed prices.
Aurora Silver (left) and Polar Black (right) colorways.
The RG Rotate is a niche device pitched at collectors and GBA-era enthusiasts who want something genuinely unusual. For anyone whose emulation wishlist extends to PS2 or beyond, a wider-screen alternative like the Retroid Pocket Flip is worth considering instead.