Retroid Pocket 5 Digging in After 7 Months
After seven months with the Retroid Pocket 5, it's time to look deep at it. This device has been with me a lot, but is it the best for old games on Android. Let's move past the first fun and see how it does after a lot of use, talking about its build, how it works, how it feels to hold, and how it does next to others.
The Hardware Feels Good but Has Some Odd Bits
For $219, Retroid Pocket 5 brings good stuff: a 5.5-inch 1080p AMOLED screen, a Snapdragon 865 chip, 8GB of RAM, and a 5,000 mAh battery. It might not look much better than the older Retroid Pocket 4 Pro, but using it feels different.
The Screen Wins
This screen is the best update. The 5.5-inch AMOLED is so nice. It's bright, clear, and sharp like new phones. Old games look new with great color and deep darks, making it maybe the best screen for the price. It's so good, it's worth the cost by itself.
How It's Made and How It Works
It's made really well. The front of all glass feels fancy, and the Hall effect joysticks help avoid stick issues. The sticks and D-pad feel good, and you have new stuff like a USB-C port, a headphone spot, and light rings you can change.
Yet there are small problems. The main buttons work fine but are loud, making silent night play hard. Also, the speakers sound thin at first. A fix made by users makes them sound much better, but it's sad it's not official yet.
The Big Comfort Talk
Yes, how it feels to hold the Retroid Pocket 5 gets people talking. It has big bumps on the back that help you hold it better than flat ones before. But, putting the left stick below the D-pad bothers some.
For old 2D games that use the D-pad more, it's great. But, new games that need two sticks might make your thumb tired if you play a lot. How it feels depends on your hand and how you hold it. Good news, though, is you can find third-party grips online, and Retroid made a grip that really helps without being too big. For many, a grip makes it go from "okay" to "very comfy."
Emulation More Power Than I Thought
Info
All Games on this handheld were legally obtained from original copies.
This is where the Retroid Pocket 5 does amazing. I thought I'd mostly play PSP and PS1 games, but its Snapdragon 865 chip and custom drivers let it do way more.
- Old games (NES, GBA, etc.) Perfect. It's overkill, but games look amazing on the screen.
- PS1, PSP, Dreamcast Plays great, often with better picture.
- PlayStation 2 & GameCube/Wii A big list of games run very well. Some hard ones need some tweaks, but mostly it does fantastic.
- Nintendo Switch It's up and down. Simple indie games work, but don't count on big games like huge newer ones.
- Windows With stuff like Winlator, you can even play some PC games like Red Dead Redemption or GTA 5, which is crazy for something this size and price.
Systems like PS3, Wii U, and Vita can't do it yet, but that's more about the Android emulators not being ready, not the device. As the software gets better, the Retroid Pocket 5 is ready for them later.
How They Face Off Retroid Pocket 5 vs. The Rest
vs. Retroid Pocket Flip 2 ($229)
The Flip 2 uses the same guts in a fold-up form. It covers the screen but its blocky shape, odd button spots, and bad screen tilt make it hard for many to hold. Your pick may hinge on shape, but the straight RP5 build works better for most.
vs. Odin 2 Portal ($329+)
The Odin 2 is the top rung of Android gaming gear. For $110 more, you grab a stronger Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chip, a big 7-inch 120Hz screen, and an easier to hold setup from the start. Yet, more horse power shows only in very tough Switch and Windows plays. For almost all old and PS2-time plays, the Retroid Pocket 5 gives a near-same ride in a tinier, easy to carry, cheaper pack.
Perks
- Bright 5.5" 1080p AMOLED view.
- Top-notch run for its cost.
- High-end build with a rich feel.
- Joysticks avoid drift with Hall effect.
- Easy to carry and fit in a pocket.
- Big help from fans (grips, fix apps).
- Best bang for your buck at $219.
Downsides
- Holding it can feel bad in games with two sticks without a grip.
- Loud, tough face keys.
- Thin sound without fix from fans.
- Glass front catches prints and breaks easy.
- Some said the back swells with heat as time goes on.
Retroid Pocket 5 Last Grade
Screen Looks: ★★★★★ (5/5)
Run & Play: ★★★★☆ (4.5/5)
Make & Style: ★★★★☆ (4/5)
Hold (no grip): ★★★☆☆ (3/5)
Worth Your Coin: ★★★★★ (5/5)
End Score: 4.3 / 5.0
Last Word Who Should Buy the Retroid Pocket 5
The Retroid Pocket 5 isn't flawless, but it's a standout choice. It's for gamers who love a great screen and need to move a lot, and are okay to tweak it a bit to boost it. If you stick to old games with a D-pad, it's comfy as it is. If you're into newer 3D games, you'll likely need a grip.
In the under-$250 space, you can't find a better play unit. It nails a mix of power, ease of carrying, and view looks that others can't match. While stronger units are out there, the Retroid Pocket 5 does all most old gamers need in a smaller, cheaper pack. After seven months, it stays my go-to pick for anyone who wants to dive deep into old gaming on the move.