Retroid's New Handheld: Slim, Cheaper, Still Fast
Retroid Pocket is now taking preorders for a new handheld game device called the Duo Lite Plus. It costs $219, or $199 with early-bird pricing, and shipments are expected to start in mid-November. Engadget It is the third model in the Pocket Duo series.
The new model mixes parts from the other two. It has the slimmer body of the Duo Lite with the Qualcomm Dragonwing Q-7790 chip from the standard Duo. The chip is the engine that runs games and apps. This is not a simple update or price cut. It is a separate choice that pairs small size with the faster chip.
Retroid lists 8GB of memory for running apps, 128GB of storage for games and files, Android 16, a 5.5-inch TFT main screen with sharp 1080p picture at 60Hz, a 6000mAh battery, and a small built-in fan for cooling. Retroid The full Duo has a 5.5-inch OLED top screen with 120Hz and a 16:9 shape, described earlier in September. Notebookcheck OLED usually shows deeper blacks, and 120Hz looks smoother in motion than 60Hz.
The Duo Lite was planned at under $200 in two versions, including a 4GB plus 64GB model. Notebookcheck Retroid's store lists the Duo Lite from $149.00 and the standard Duo at $269.00. That puts the Duo Lite Plus at $199 to $219 between them. Preorders for the Duo and Duo Lite were set to open September 11 at 9:30 PM EST. Notebookcheck
Retroid said it will pause Duo Lite shipments for a few days so customers can compare. Duo Lite buyers can keep their order or switch to a Duo Lite Plus, with shipping and exchange costs paid by the company. Engadget
In my view, the key choice is to offer the thin body with the faster chip. Most makers pair thin bodies with slower chips to keep heat and battery life simple. Retroid is testing if buyers want thin and fast, even with a fan in a small case.
The broader context here is a crowded shelf. Retroid lists the Pocket Classic at $99.00, Pocket 4/4Pro from $139.00, Flip 2 from $149.00, Pocket 5 at $179.00, Nova from $239.00, Pocket 6 from $244.00, and Duo at $269.00, plus a $69.00 Dual Screen Add-on. Adding a third Duo so soon can confuse buyers. The pause and free exchange look like a way to limit returns and support calls.
Looking ahead to shipments, if mid-November holds the new model should arrive in time for holiday testing and side-by-side use. That should show buyers what matters more day to day, easy carrying or screen quality and steady speed.
