Anbernic unveils the RG SP, a retro handheld that ditches analog sticks

Anbernic unveiled its new handheld, the RG SP, on July 21, 2026 through an official video posted on its YouTube channel. The Chinese manufacturer fully leans into the Game Boy Advance SP heritage with a clamshell shape featuring the same dual alloy hinge, while shaving off around 25% of shell thickness and screen bezel width compared to previous models in the range.

Notably, the RG SP drops analog sticks entirely in favor of tactile buttons, a deliberate choice the brand frames as a way to “relive the pure joy of the 2D golden era,” as stated in the reveal video. The 3.4-inch IPS screen runs at 720x480 resolution, and the whole device gets a premium metallic paint finish along with an acrylic badge engraved with the Anbernic logo.

The console carries forward the philosophy of its predecessor, the RG35XX SP, positioning itself as a middle ground between the 2024 RG35XX SP and 2025 RG34XX SP models, with four announced colors: pink, teal, black and gray, two of which directly echo the classic “Pearl Pink” and “Pearl Blue” Game Boy Advance SP shades.

Anbernic has not yet announced pricing or a precise release date for the RG SP, with the reveal video mainly serving to showcase the design and available colorways.

Source: Time Extension