Retroid’s new 4:3 Android handheld starts at $229

https://www.trustedreviews.com/news/retroids-new-43-android-handheld-starts-at-229

Publish Date: 2026-06-26 07:16:00

Retroid has officially launched the Pocket Nova, a new Android gaming handheld built with retro gaming fans in mind.

The new handheld starts at $229 and comes with a 4.5-inch AMOLED display with a 4:3 aspect ratio. That makes it a strong fit for older games, which often look better on a squarer screen instead of a wider modern panel.

The display itself has a 1280 x 960 resolution, a 120Hz refresh rate, 500 nits of peak brightness and a claimed 100,000:1 contrast ratio. Unlike the Pocket 6, it also skips the full glass front design, which may appeal to users who prefer a more traditional handheld feel.

Power comes from the Qualcomm QCS8550, an IoT version of the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2. That is paired with either 8GB or 12GB of LPDDR5X RAM and 128GB of UFS 3.1 storage. There is also a microSD card slot if you need more room for games.

The Pocket Nova runs Android 13 out of the box, with Retroid promising incremental software upgrades. It also includes stereo front-facing speakers, a headphone jack, Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 5.3 and a USB 3.1 Type-C port.

That USB-C port is not just for charging and data either. It supports DisplayPort output, allowing the handheld to connect to an external display at up to 4K/60Hz.

For controls, Retroid has gone with a top-positioned D-pad, symmetrical Hall Effect thumbsticks with RGB LED rings and analogue triggers. There is also a cooling fan and a 5,000mAh battery with up to 27W charging.

Pricing starts at $229 for the 8GB model, rising to $269 for the 12GB version with UK pricing still to be confirmed. Translucent colour options cost slightly more, starting at $234. Retroid is also offering a pre-order bonus that includes a free bumped back shell and a tempered glass screen protector.

It is expected to go up for pre-order on Retroid’s website this Friday, June 26, 2026, at 6 PM PST / 9 PM EST. It arrives not long after Retroid brought back a 12GB…

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