Anbernic has revealed the RG SP, a foldable retro gaming handheld that updates the classic Game Boy Advance SP design the company has been working on since its RG 35XXSP (2024) and RG 34XXSP models. A teaser video published by Anbernic and covered by Engadget on July 24, 2026, shows the device's screen, body construction, and design approach, though pricing and a release date remain undisclosed. Anbernic's own "First Look" blog post, published July 22, 2026, on anbernic.com, confirms the same details under the headline "ANBERNIC RG SP Brings the Classics Back in a Slimmer Form!" As of July 25, 2026, the RG SP is also featured directly on the Anbernic homepage.

The RG SP has a 3.4-inch IPS screen — a type of LCD panel known for good color and viewing angles — running at 720x480 resolution. That number matters because it is exactly three times the resolution of the original Game Boy Advance SP's screen (240x160). In practice, this means the device can display GBA games by tripling each pixel evenly, so the image stays sharp rather than getting stretched or blurred. A chip called the H700 handles processing, and the device runs Anbernic's own Linux-based operating system, the same software used across much of the company's recent lineup.

Anbernic states that 90% of the RG SP body uses new custom-molded parts, with improved buttons over its predecessor. The top screen border is 25% thinner and the overall case is 10% thinner. Dual hinges replace whatever single-hinge mechanism came before, supporting a wider range of screen angles — a detail that matters more than it sounds, since on a foldable device the hinge determines how firmly the screen holds its position while you play in different lighting or sitting positions.

One notable design change: the RG SP drops the analog sticks (small thumb-controlled joysticks) that were present on the RG 34XXSP. Anbernic's stated reason is to more closely match the original GBA SP's layout and to position the device for older retro game libraries where a directional pad and face buttons are all you need. The device keeps a microSD card slot for storage and a 3.5mm headphone jack. Color options include metallic silver, black, pink, and teal finishes.

Anbernic's two prior foldable models, the RG 35XXSP and RG 34XXSP, were priced at $65 and $67 respectively. The company's teaser did not disclose RG SP pricing or an availability date. Anbernic's official news page lists the RG SP as available on July 7, 2026, though that undated listing carries lower priority than the July 24 Engadget coverage, which reports no release date confirmed. The RG SP is currently promoted on the Anbernic homepage as of July 25.

The broader context here is that the retro handheld market has split into distinct tiers over the past several years, with devices ranging from under-$50 budget units to $200-plus premium foldables. Anbernic's strategy with the RG SP appears to be refinement within the budget-to-mid-range tier rather than a push into more expensive territory. The H700 chip is well understood in this category: it handles games from the 8-bit through 32-bit eras competently but is not built for PlayStation 1-era 3D titles at higher visual quality. The 720x480 screen paired with that chip suggests the device targets Game Boy Advance, Game Boy Color, NES, SNES, and similar-era libraries rather than more demanding systems.

The decision to remove analog sticks is worth pausing on. The RG 34XXSP included them, presumably to broaden compatibility with game systems that benefit from analog input. Removing them from the RG SP narrows the range of games the device handles well but produces a cleaner, more authentic foldable shape. For buyers who want a device that feels like a classic GBA SP, that trade-off may land well. For those who wanted a single foldable that also handles Nintendo 64 or PSP games, the RG SP is a step backward. Anbernic is, in effect, betting that the audience for a purist GBA-style handheld is larger than the audience that valued the analog sticks on the prior model.

Pricing will be the deciding factor. At $65–$67, the previous models sat in impulse-purchase territory for enthusiasts. If the RG SP lands in the same range despite the new tooling and improved display, it positions as a strong value. If the metallic finishes and custom-molded parts push the price toward $80 or above, the value proposition narrows. Anbernic has not yet disclosed that number.

For now, the RG SP looks like a focused update rather than a category redefinition — a company doubling down on a specific design and audience rather than chasing broader gaming capability. Whether that bet pays off depends on what Anbernic charges for it.