Anbernic RG405M review: the best metal-body retro handheld?
Anbernic RG405M review — CNC aluminum body, Unisoc T618, 4" IPS screen, PS2 capable. Is the premium build worth $169? Full specs, performance, and verdict.
Editor Score: 8.7 / 10
The Anbernic RG405M is the odd one out in the retro handheld market: a mid-range Android device with a CNC-machined aluminum body that feels more expensive than its $169 price tag. It’s not the most powerful device at this price, but it might be the best-built.
After two weeks of testing, here’s the full picture.
Specs at a glance
| Anbernic RG405M | |
|---|---|
| SoC | Unisoc Tiger T618 |
| RAM | 4GB LPDDR4X |
| Storage | 128GB eMMC |
| Screen | 4.0” IPS 720×720 |
| Aspect ratio | 1:1 (square) |
| PPI | 254 |
| Battery | 4000mAh |
| Weight | 255g |
| Price | $169 |
Design & build quality
The RG405M’s CNC aluminum body is its defining feature. Pick it up and you immediately feel the difference from plastic handhelds — it’s solid, premium, and noticeably heavier (255g vs. 230g for the RP Mini).
The aluminum shell has a brushed finish that resists fingerprints reasonably well. Buttons have good tactile feedback. The analog sticks feel precise.
The square screen: The 1:1 aspect ratio is unusual but works better than expected for retro gaming. Most classic platforms output 4:3, which fits the square screen with small letterboxing on the sides. PSP and widescreen content gets more significant letterboxing.
Screen
4.0” IPS, 720×720, 254 PPI, 1:1 aspect ratio
The square screen is divisive. In practice, it works well for 4:3 content — Game Boy, GBA, NES, SNES, and PS1 all fit with minimal wasted space. The 254 PPI is adequate but not exceptional.
| Platform | Fit on 1:1 screen |
|---|---|
| Game Boy (4:3) | Good — small side bars |
| GBA (3:2) | Good — minimal letterboxing |
| NES/SNES (4:3) | Good — small side bars |
| PS1 (4:3) | Good — small side bars |
| PSP (16:9) | Moderate — horizontal bars |
Check pixel fit for all platforms →
Performance
The Unisoc Tiger T618 is a capable mid-range chip, but it’s a step below the Snapdragon 865 (RP5) and Dimensity 1100 (RP Mini).
PS2 (AetherSX2):
- Final Fantasy X — 60fps ✅
- God of War I — 55–60fps ✅
- God of War II — 40–50fps ⚠️ (demanding)
- Shadow of the Colossus — 35–45fps ❌ (struggles)
- Gran Turismo 4 — 55–60fps ✅
- Persona 3/4 — 60fps ✅
Reality check: The T618 handles a large portion of the PS2 library well, but demanding titles (God of War II, Shadow of the Colossus) struggle more than on Snapdragon/Dimensity devices. If those specific games matter to you, consider the RP5 or RP Mini instead.
Everything below PS2: Excellent. Game Boy through PSP runs flawlessly.
Software & setup
The RG405M runs Android 12 with Anbernic’s custom launcher. Setup is similar to other Android handhelds:
- Install RetroArch from Play Store
- Sideload AetherSX2 for PS2
- Install Daijishō or similar frontend
- Transfer ROMs via USB or SD card
Anbernic’s stock launcher is functional but basic. Most users replace it with Daijishō for a better game library experience.
Battery life
4000mAh battery
In testing:
- 16-bit gaming: ~6–7 hours
- PS1/N64: ~5 hours
- PS2: ~3–4 hours
Charges via USB-C. Comparable to other 4000mAh devices.
Controls
Dual analog sticks, 4 shoulder buttons, rumble
The analog sticks are good — precise, comfortable for extended sessions. No Hall-effect (unlike the RP5/RP Mini), so drift is theoretically possible over time, though we didn’t experience it in testing.
Note: Only 4 shoulder buttons (L1/R1/L2/R2), no L3/R3 via stick click. This is a minor limitation for some PS2 games.
Pros & cons
Pros:
- ✅ CNC aluminum body — premium feel at mid-range price
- ✅ Handles most of the PS2 library well
- ✅ Good build quality — feels more durable than plastic competitors
- ✅ 4000mAh battery — solid endurance
- ✅ Android 12 — full emulator ecosystem
Cons:
- ❌ T618 struggles with demanding PS2 titles
- ❌ Only 4GB RAM (vs. 8GB in RP5/RP Mini)
- ❌ Square screen is polarizing
- ❌ 255g — heavier than most competitors
- ❌ No Hall-effect sticks
RG405M vs Retroid Pocket 5
| RG405M | RP5 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $169 | $199 |
| SoC | Unisoc T618 | Snapdragon 865 |
| RAM | 4GB | 8GB |
| Screen | 4.0” IPS 720×720 | 5.5” AMOLED 1080×1920 |
| Body | CNC Aluminum | Plastic |
| Weight | 255g | 280g |
| PS2 demanding titles | ⚠️ Struggles | ✅ Handles well |
Choose the RG405M if: Build quality and the metal body matter to you, and you mainly play lighter PS2 games (RPGs, racing, 2D titles).
Choose the RP5 if: You want the best PS2 performance, a larger AMOLED screen, or 8GB RAM.
Who should buy the RG405M?
Buy it if:
- Build quality and premium feel matter to you
- You mainly play PS1, N64, PSP, and lighter PS2 games
- You want an Android handheld under $170
- The square screen doesn’t bother you
Skip it if:
- You want the best PS2 performance (get the RP5 or RP Mini)
- You need 8GB RAM for demanding emulation
- You prefer a larger or AMOLED screen
Verdict
The RG405M earns its 8.7/10 by offering something genuinely different: a premium metal build at a mid-range price. The T618 is capable enough for most of the PS2 library, and the construction quality is noticeably better than plastic competitors. If build quality matters to you and you’re not chasing the most demanding PS2 titles, it’s an excellent choice.
Buy it: Amazon → | AliExpress →
Screen Fit Analysis
See how devices mentioned in this article handle popular platforms: