After spending some time with both the Trimui Smart Pro and the Anbernic RG40XX H, I’ve had the chance to really assess how these two handheld gaming consoles compare. Both devices aim to capture the retro gaming audience, but they bring different strengths and weaknesses to the table. Let’s break it down across several categories to help you determine which one might be a better fit for your needs.
Design and Build Quality
When I first held the Trimui Smart Pro, my initial reaction was quite positive. The console feels light in the hands, but not flimsy. It comes in black, white, and a retro color option, which is a neat throwback to classic console aesthetics. The plastic feels sturdy, but it’s not the highest quality you’ll ever feel. While it doesn’t feel premium, it gets the job done and offers a comfortable grip, especially in long play sessions. However, I have to mention that the black version is a fingerprint magnet. I found myself wiping it down more than I expected, and if you’re bothered by smudges, you may want to consider opting for the lighter color options like white or retro.
As for the Anbernic RG40XXH, it has a more refined feel. The rounded edges make it a bit more comfortable during longer sessions, and it feels solid, more so than the Trimui. The design leans into a more premium build, even though both consoles use plastic. I appreciate the variety in colors—black, blue, and gray—but more importantly, the device doesn’t collect smudges like the Trimui’s black version. The extra thought put into the curvature of the design makes this console feel better in the hand, and the buttons and d-pad, while similar to the older RG35XX, are responsive and well-placed.
If build quality and ergonomics matter more to you, I’d give the edge to the Anbernic RG40XX H. It feels better made and more comfortable to hold over extended periods.
Screen Quality
This is where the two consoles really start to diverge. The Trimui Smart Pro boasts a 4.96-inch IPS screen with a 1280×720 resolution. At first glance, the screen looks sharp and colors are fairly vibrant. It’s one of the larger screens available on retro handhelds, and that extra real estate definitely improves the gaming experience, especially if you’re playing on higher-end emulators. However, I noticed that the brightness levels are a bit lacking. In a brightly lit room or outdoors, it sometimes struggled, which detracted from the overall experience.
Meanwhile, the Anbernic RG40XXH features a slightly smaller 4-inch IPS screen with a resolution of 640×480. While the resolution is lower, the screen still delivers a solid picture, especially for retro gaming. The big advantage here is the brightness—this thing gets bright! The RG40XXH handles bright environments better than the Trimui Smart Pro, so if you’re planning on gaming outside or in brightly lit rooms often, this will be an important factor to consider.
When it comes to screen size and resolution, the Trimui Smart Pro takes the lead with its larger display and higher resolution. However, for overall clarity and brightness, I preferred the Anbernic RG40XXH.
Performance and Emulation
Both consoles are built for retro gaming, but they take different approaches to processing power.
The Trimui Smart Pro packs an Allwinner A133P chip (1.8GHz) with 1GB of RAM, which, on paper, puts it ahead in terms of raw processing power. This allows it to handle a broader array of emulators, including some PlayStation Portable (PSP), Sega Dreamcast, and Nintendo 64 games. I tested some PlayStation 1 games, and they ran beautifully without any noticeable slowdowns. It can also handle some more demanding platforms, but as expected, more complex PSP and Dreamcast titles struggled or required tweaks.
The Anbernic RG40XXH runs on a slightly less powerful H700 quad-core ARM Cortex-A53 processor, also paired with 1GB of RAM. While it’s not quite as powerful as the Trimui, the Anbernic still runs everything up to PlayStation 1 very well. It does handle Nintendo 64 and Sega Dreamcast to some degree, but not as consistently as the Trimui. Where it excels is with its stable performance across platforms like Game Boy Advance, NES, and SNES.
For more demanding platforms, the Trimui Smart Pro is the clear winner here, as it can handle more emulators, albeit with some caveats. However, if you’re focused on older retro systems, the Anbernic RG40XXH provides plenty of power for smooth gameplay.
Battery Life
Battery life can make or break a handheld console, and both the Trimui and Anbernic offer reasonable longevity.
The Trimui Smart Pro is equipped with a 5000mAh battery, which, according to specs, should offer up to 5 hours of gameplay. From my experience, that figure held true. However, I noticed that if you’re playing more demanding games or using features like Wi-Fi, you might find yourself closer to 4 hours of battery life. It’s not bad by any means, but I found myself wishing it lasted just a bit longer.
In contrast, the Anbernic RG40XX H has a 3200mAh battery, which promises about 6 hours of playtime. Again, it largely depends on the games you play and the brightness level you choose, but it generally lasted a bit longer than the Trimui. I also appreciate that it handles power more efficiently during standby, so if you’re the type to pick up and put down your handheld throughout the day, you’ll likely appreciate the extra bit of juice the Anbernic gives you.
For battery life, the Anbernic RG40XXH edges out the Trimui Smart Pro. While the Trimui offers more power and a larger screen, that extra power comes at the cost of battery life.
User Interface and OS
Both devices run on a Linux-based system, but their user experiences are quite different.
The Trimui Smart Pro offers a clean and intuitive user interface. It’s not flashy, but it gets the job done. You can navigate through your games and emulators with ease, and the menu system is laid out logically. One minor issue I encountered was that it doesn’t come with too many customization options, at least not compared to its competitor. That being said, the system is straightforward and simple enough for someone new to the scene.
On the Anbernic RG40XXH, the user interface feels a bit more polished. The inclusion of RGB lighting effects around the joystick is a nice touch, and you can even customize these to some degree. But beyond just aesthetics, the menu system is easy to navigate, and I love that it supports ports of popular games out of the box. Plus, the ability to connect it to a TV via HDMI (something the Trimui lacks) is a massive bonus if you want to use it as a small home console from time to time.
For its simplicity and HDMI connectivity, I’d say the Anbernic RG40XXH has the more versatile and user-friendly OS. The Trimui Smart Pro isn’t bad, but it feels a bit more basic in comparison.
Comparison Table / Specifications: Features
| Feature | Trimui Smart Pro | Anbernic RG40XXH |
|---|---|---|
| Screen Size | 4.96 inches, 1280×720 resolution | 4 inches, 640×480 resolution |
| Processor | Allwinner A133P (1.8 GHz) | H700 quad-core ARM Cortex-A53 (1.5 GHz) |
| RAM | 1GB LPDDR4x | 1GB LPDDR4 |
| Storage | 8GB eMMC (Expandable via microSD) | TF/MicroSD up to 512GB |
| Battery | 5000mAh (up to 5 hours) | 3200mAh (up to 6 hours) |
| OS | Linux | Linux 64-bit |
| Emulation Performance | Up to PSP, Dreamcast, N64 (mixed results) | Up to PlayStation 1, N64 (solid performance) |
| Connectivity | Wi-Fi, Bluetooth | Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, HDMI output |
| Form Factor | Horizontal, smooth design, plastic build | Horizontal, rounded edges, sturdy build |
| Weight | 220g | 208g |
| Brightness | Adequate, but lacking in bright environments | High brightness, better for outdoor use |
| Customization | RGB joystick lights (preset colors) | RGB joystick lights (customizable) |
| HDMI Output | No | Yes |
Comparison Table: Pros and Cons
| Aspect | Trimui Smart Pro | Anbernic RG40XXH |
|---|---|---|
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Final Thoughts: Which Is Better?
At the end of the day, choosing between the Trimui Smart Pro and the Anbernic RG40XXH comes down to what you prioritize most in a handheld gaming console.
- If screen size and raw performance are your main concerns, especially for more demanding emulators like PSP and Dreamcast, then the Trimui Smart Pro will serve you well. Its larger display and higher resolution make it a pleasure to game on, even though it has its brightness limitations.
- If you value build quality, ergonomics, and battery life, the Anbernic RG40XXH wins out. It might not be as powerful, but it performs consistently well for retro platforms and feels more premium in hand.
In my opinion, the Anbernic RG40XXH strikes a better balance overall, but the Trimui Smart Pro is an excellent option if you need that extra performance for more intense emulation.
