RETROID G2
FULL REVIEW
The Retroid Pocket G2 is one beautiful device. In many ways, it is the Retroid Pocket 5 Pro that many have asked for the past year. The hardware is almost identical to the Retroid Pocket 5 which means we get the same fantastic build quality and a surprising amount of power in a small sleek package.
In the box
- Retroid Pocket G2 console
- USB-C to USB-A charging cable
- User manual
- Quality assurance paper
- Foam
- Regret for not buying an RP6
No grip, case, or screen protector included.
Key Specs
The G2 is small, measuring in at just 19cm long, 7cm tall, 1.5cm deep, and weighing 280 grams. This small size allows it to just about get away with its ‘Pocket’ moniker. It might stick awkwardly out of skin-tight jeans but it is pocketable enough in a jacket or cargo shorts. This slim design does come at a cost, however. The 'ergonomic bumps' on the back of the RPG2 barely help with ergonomics at all. They are better than the nothing-at-all approach of a Switch, but a bit more junk in the trunk would've been welcome.
The controls are good. The analog sticks and triggers are particular highlights, feeling very smooth and comfortable. The face buttons are good but unfortunately quite loud (62db compared to a regular gaming controller’s ~40db and an average speaking voice being around ~55db for reference). Retroid have been using these loud clicky buttons for a while and I hope they’ll improve them in 2026.
The rest of the controls are all fine - serviceable and inoffensive. No real big triumphs and no massive dealbreakers either. Everything is acceptable. The only thing to be aware of is the left analog stick is quite awkward to bend your thumb down to so the device does lend itself better to dpad-oriented gamers.
We have the usual hardware featured we’d expect: a headphone jack, an SD card slot for expandable storage (I’m using a 1tb SanDisk Extreme card), and two front firing stereo speakers which are loud and sound pretty decent. They won’t be replacing your studio monitors or favourite large speakers anytime soon, but they do their job just fine.
The real showpiece of the device is the screen. A gorgeous 5.5” 1080p 60hz OLED panel that is incredibly saturated, vibrant, and has all that contrasty punch-to-the-face we’ve come to know and love of OLEDs. The screen was my favourite part of the Retroid Pocket 5 and I’m happy they’ve kept the same one here as it’s a beauty. The only downside for some could be those who prefer it a little larger. When it comes to 5.5” panels, I don’t think there’s anything better than this.
The one true difference between the Retroid Pocket 5 and the Retroid Pocket G2 is on the inside. The new Snapdragon G2 Gen 2 chip is far more powerful than the Snapdragon 865 of last year. Performance gains here can be massive — we’re talking double the framerate in some scenarios and making games playable that simply weren’t on the RP5.
The Retroid Pocket G2 can play almost anything you could reasonably want at this form factor. Of course it’s not going to rival your gaming PC or a Steam Deck, but it can run practically any handheld or console game from the 80s, 90s, or 2000s (besides Xbox — because Xbox is weird), right up to a huge portion of the Switch catalog and even a surprising number of PC games. We should temper expectations for a ~$200 device — it won’t play Elden Ring or Cyberpunk — but for smaller indie titles it does incredibly well. For something small enough to slip in a pocket, being able to chew through your Switch and Steam indie backlogs feels genuinely liberating.
Quick FPS Snapshot – RP5 vs RPG2
All tests were captured using the same in-game areas and settings. FPS values are averages.
Open Full BenchmarksBelow you can see the real-world battery life of the RPG2 in a variety of situations. I tested light and heavy Switch and PC games, as well as a super lightweight game. The light games (Pokemon Yellow, Monster Boy) were running on Standard Performance mode with the fan off. The heavy games (GTA V, Tears of the Kingdom) were running on High Performance mode with the fan set to Sport mode.
Real-world Battery Life
Full charge · In-gameCharging Curve
Measured with Power-Z KM003C power meter. 0-90% in 60m, 100% in 94m.
Protocol
PD 3.0 · 27 W
Fast Window
0–80% Speed
Top-off
95–100% Slow
So… is this normal?
Yes — this is exactly how a modern handheld should charge. High wattage at low percentages gets you gaming again quickly, while a slower, safer ramp near 100% protects the battery and extends long-term health. If you're in a hurry, consider 80–90% as your “real” full charge — it saves time and is easier on the battery overall.
One area the RPG2 excels is accessories. Because it reuses the same shell as the very successful and popular RP5, all of the same accessories work perfectly here. Over the past year we’ve seen an explosion of add-ons—official Retroid accessories, third-party options, Etsy sellers, and countless 3D-printed creations from the community.
Retroid Dual Screen
Fantastic accessory for dual-screen games like DS, 3DS, and Wii U.
Dock / Video Cable
Supports 1080p 60hz video out. A simple USB-C to HDMI works, or a full dock for charging.
Case & Screen Prot.
Full glass front benefits from a solid case. A must if you travel regularly.
Highly Recommended: The Official Grip
As mentioned in Section 1, bending your thumb down to reach the analog sticks can become uncomfortable during long play sessions. The official Retroid grip drastically improves this by extending the device further from your palms, turning the analog stick motion from a tight downward bend into a much more natural reach. It’s inexpensive, effective, and one of the best upgrades you can make if you play a lot of 3D or analog stick-heavy games.
The Retroid Pocket G2 is a fantastic handheld. It’s slim, powerful, and priced well. So is it a homerun? Well, because of Retroid’s mind-boggling release calendar… no. At the exact same time as the RPG2’s announcement, Retroid also announced the Retroid Pocket 6.
For almost the same money (~$10 more expensive when both first launched), the RP6 doubles the screen refresh rate to 120hz, increases output to 4k, increases the battery to 6000mAh, and has a more mature chip (Snapdragon 8 Gen 2). What more could you ask for?!
RP5 vs RPG2 vs RP6 Specs
So then what is the point of the RPG2 existing? I bought mine because I love the RP5, and the thought of something in the same shell but with more power sounded like everything I’d wanted — and I also adore the colour. The Yellow and Turquoise colours are unique to the G2. If you want a great handheld right now, before the holidays, the Retroid Pocket G2 is still a great choice. It’s everything I loved about the RP5 but with even more power. Thank you for reading ❤️
What I like
- The RP5 shell is still excellent and slim
- Lovely exclusive Yellow/Turquoise colours
- Massive power bump over the RP5
What could be better
- Overshadowed by the identically priced RP6
- Analog stick ergonomics still benefit from a grip