Miyoo Mini Plus vs Anbernic RG35XX H: which should you buy?
The ultimate comparison between the Miyoo Mini Plus and Anbernic RG35XX H. We compare specs, screen quality, firmware support, controls, and value for money — with a clear verdict for every type of buyer.
Two of the most popular budget handhelds. Same 640×480 IPS screen. Similar price. But very different devices. Here’s exactly how to choose between them.
Quick verdict
- Choose Miyoo Mini Plus if: you want the best firmware ecosystem and a more polished overall experience
- Choose RG35XX H if: you want dual analog sticks and a PSP-style horizontal layout
Full specs comparison
| Miyoo Mini Plus | Anbernic RG35XX H | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | ~$59 | ~$49 |
| Screen | 3.5” IPS 640×480 | 3.5” IPS 640×480 |
| Panel type | IPS | IPS |
| SoC | Allwinner A133 Plus | Allwinner H700 |
| CPU | Cortex-A53 quad-core | Cortex-A53 quad-core |
| RAM | 1GB DDR4 | 1GB DDR3 |
| Storage | MicroSD | MicroSD |
| Battery | 3000mAh | 3000mAh |
| Analog sticks | 1 | 2 |
| Wi-Fi | ✅ | ❌ |
| Bluetooth | ❌ | ❌ |
| USB-C | ✅ | ✅ |
| Form factor | Compact landscape | PSP-style landscape |
| Weight | ~95g | ~155g |
| Best firmware | OnionOS | GarlicOS / muOS / MinUI |
Screen: identical resolution, same quality
Both devices use a 3.5” IPS panel at 640×480. Pixel scaling performance is completely identical — if you care about integer scaling for retro platforms, both devices deliver the same results:
| Platform | Native Res | Scale | Fill | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Game Boy | 160×144 | 4× | 67% | ✅ Integer |
| GBA | 240×160 | 2× | 50% | ✅ Integer |
| NES | 256×240 | 2× | 100% | 🟢 Perfect |
| SNES | 256×224 | 2× | 89% | ✅ Integer |
| PS1 | 320×240 | 2× | 100% | 🟢 Perfect |
Use our Screen Visualizer to explore all combinations. The results are the same for the RG35XX H.
Winner: Draw — the screens are functionally identical.
Firmware: OnionOS vs GarlicOS / muOS / MinUI
This is the biggest difference between the two devices.
Miyoo Mini Plus: OnionOS
OnionOS is widely considered the best custom firmware in the budget handheld space. It offers:
- A polished, themeable interface
- RetroAchievements integration
- Wi-Fi artwork scraping and save sync
- A package manager for installing extras
- Instant sleep/resume
- Regular monthly updates
The Miyoo Mini Plus’s popularity is largely because of OnionOS. The firmware makes the device feel premium.
RG35XX H: GarlicOS / muOS / MinUI
The RG35XX H supports three solid firmware options:
- GarlicOS — fast, lightweight, great for users who just want to play games without fuss
- muOS — feature-rich, closer to OnionOS in terms of capabilities, active development
- MinUI — ultra-minimal, best battery life, for users who hate clutter
None of these match OnionOS’s polish or feature set, but muOS is closing the gap. GarlicOS is excellent if you want speed and simplicity.
Winner: Miyoo Mini Plus — OnionOS is the better overall firmware experience.
Controls: the key differentiator
The RG35XX H has dual analog sticks. The Miyoo Mini Plus has only one.
This matters for:
- PSP games — many require right-stick camera control
- N64 games — some benefit from dual sticks
- PS1 games with analog — most work fine with one stick, but some feel better with two
If you plan to play PSP games regularly, the RG35XX H is the better choice. For Game Boy through PS1, the single stick on the Miyoo Mini Plus is perfectly adequate.
The RG35XX H also has a more traditional PSP-style layout — wider, with the sticks in a more ergonomic position for longer sessions. The Miyoo Mini Plus is more compact but can feel cramped for adult hands during extended play.
Winner: RG35XX H — dual sticks and better ergonomics for longer sessions.
Price: $10 difference
The RG35XX H is typically $10 cheaper (~$49 vs ~$59). That’s not a huge gap, but it’s worth noting. If budget is the primary concern, the RG35XX H saves money without sacrificing screen quality.
Winner: RG35XX H — cheaper for the same screen resolution.
Real-world use cases
Best for classic gaming (GB, GBA, NES, SNES, PS1)
Miyoo Mini Plus — OnionOS makes the experience more polished, RetroAchievements adds replay value, and the compact size is ideal for portable play.
Best for PSP gaming
RG35XX H — dual analog sticks are essential for many PSP titles. The Miyoo Mini Plus struggles with PSP games that require right-stick input.
Best for long gaming sessions at home
RG35XX H — the wider PSP-style layout is more comfortable for extended play. The Miyoo Mini Plus can cause hand fatigue over time.
Best for carrying everywhere
Miyoo Mini Plus — significantly lighter (~95g vs ~155g) and more pocketable.
Best for beginners
Miyoo Mini Plus — OnionOS is easier to set up and use than any of the RG35XX H firmware options.
Who should buy which
Get the Miyoo Mini Plus if:
- You want the best firmware experience (OnionOS)
- You mainly play Game Boy, GBA, NES, SNES, and PS1
- You want Wi-Fi for RetroAchievements and artwork
- You want the most portable option
- You’re new to retro handhelds
Get the RG35XX H if:
- You want dual analog sticks for PSP games
- You prefer a PSP-style horizontal layout
- You want to save $10
- You’re comfortable with GarlicOS or muOS
- You play for longer sessions and want better ergonomics
Frequently asked questions
Can I install OnionOS on the RG35XX H?
No. OnionOS is exclusive to Miyoo devices (Miyoo Mini, Miyoo Mini Plus, Miyoo Flip). The RG35XX H uses different hardware and is not compatible with OnionOS.
Which has better battery life?
Both have 3000mAh batteries and deliver similar real-world battery life — around 6–8 hours for 16-bit gaming. The RG35XX H may run slightly shorter due to its more powerful SoC under load.
Can either device run N64 games?
Both can run N64, but performance is inconsistent. Simple games (Mario 64, Zelda OOT) run well; demanding titles struggle. Neither device is ideal for N64 — consider the TRIMUI Smart Pro or RG405M if N64 is a priority.
Is the RG35XX H worth the extra $10 over the RG28XX?
Yes, for most people. The RG35XX H has a larger screen (3.5” vs 2.83”), dual analog sticks, and better ergonomics. The RG28XX is only worth it if ultra-portability is your top priority.
Still undecided? Use our Device Finder to get a personalised recommendation based on your budget and gaming preferences.
Screen Fit Analysis
See how devices mentioned in this article handle popular platforms: