The Best Android Gaming Handhelds of 2022

2022 was a brilliant year for gaming, but what were the best Android gaming handhelds? While we love to play on the go with our handy mobile phones, nothing beats the feeling of a sturdy handheld console. 

We created this guide to showcase our personal choices for the best Android gaming handhelds. We go over the important stuff, such as specs, what the console does, and what it can run. 

Let’s crack on with our list!

AYN Odin Pro

What’s not to love about the AYN Odin Pro? It can run Android and Windows, making it perfect for handheld gaming. It has a sleek design and fits perfectly in your hands. We can gush about this console all we want, but what are the specs?

• Ardeno 630 GPU
• 8GB RAM
• Qualcomm Snapdragon SD845 CPU
• 1920 x 1080 6” LCD Touchscreen Display

The AYN Odin Pro can also emulate GameCube and PS2 titles, as well as a wide range of 128-bit games.

The ability to use both Android and Windows makes this a must-have for those who love portable emulation. It’s undoubtedly one of our favourite Android gaming handhelds this year, but what do you think?

You can buy the AYN Odin Pro on the official website!

GPD XP

This one’s a special one. The GPD XP has swappable peripherals for the right-hand side, making it easier than ever to customise your emulation experience. That sounds great, but what are the specs?

• Arm Mali-G77 MC9 GPU
• MediaTek Dimensity 1200
• 4266Mbps LPDDR4x 
• 3.0GHz

The GPD XP is brilliant for those of you who want to play a wide variety of games, from Android to the PS2, and even the Nintendo GameCube. It’s important to note that this console is on the pricier side, but with the addition of peripheral customisation, we can’t really argue with it. It’s a powerful device, with amazing capabilities.

ABERNIC RG353P

Abernic RG353P is a sturdy, retro-style handheld console – perfect for those who love retro gaming. It’s even got a mini-HDMI port! The weight of the console makes it feel like a premium piece of technology. With 2 SD card slots and a headphone jack, you can enjoy portable gaming to the fullest. The resemblance to the SNES is fantastic, but what are the specs?

• 3.5” IPS 640 x 480 Touchscreen Display
• 2GB RAM
• 3500MAH Battery
• RK3566 Quad-core 1.8ghz CPU

The Abernic RG353P also has a dual boot for Linux and Android 11 – perfect! Not only can it handle Android games brilliantly, but you can also enjoy classics from the N64, PS1, and PSP.

You can buy the ABERNIC RG353P on the official website!

Retroid Pocket 3

The Retroid Pocket 3 has a beautiful sleek design that oozes simplicity – we love it. While we put the Retroid Pocket 2+ on our list, the Retroid Pocket 3 is undoubtedly a more upgraded version, but at a slightly higher price. The size of the handheld console is perfect. It’s not too small, and it’s not too big. It’s comfortable to hold in your hands, and it’ll fit in your bag for on-the-go gaming. 

Let’s go over the specs:

• 32GB Storage
• 4000MAH Battery
• Quad-core Unisoc T310 CPU
• 2GB/3GB RAM
• 4.7” Touchscreen Display 16:9 740 x 1334

It can handle Android games amazingly, as well as your favourite 8-bit retro games. For fans of the Gameboy console and the PS1, you’ll be happy to know that this handy little device runs them perfectly! N64 games also run brilliantly on the Retroid Pocket 3, but you’ll have to play about with the settings a bit. It can also handle most Dreamcast titles and a good majority of PSP games.

You can buy the Retroid Pocket 3 on the official website!

Retroid Pocket 2+

The best thing about Retroid Pocket consoles is how portable they are. While the smaller size may not be appealing for everyone, they’re certainly handy. It can easily fit in your coat pocket, or in your bag with ease. You can also switch between the handheld and monitor display with a HDMI, allowing you to play your favourite emulated games on the big screen. 

Let’s go over the specs:

• 4000mAh Battery
• Rumble Motor
• Unisoc Quad-core Tiger T310
• 3.5” 480p Touchscreen Display with an aspect ratio of 4:3
• 2GB LPDDR4x + 32GB EMMC
• 1 x A75 + 3 x A55 + PowerVR GE8300

Despite the size of the handheld console, it’s a powerful little device. It runs on Android 9 and can easily handle games for Android, SNES, Game Boy, and others. It’s capable of emulating Dreamcast and PSP games too, but many people recommend changing a few of the settings for these games to perform well.

You can buy the Retroid Pocket 2+ on the official website!

Logitech G Cloud

We’re big fans of the Logitech G Cloud’s design. The sleek model with comfortable ergonomic hand grips makes gaming an absolute pleasure. Despite the slim size, it’s still one of the most powerful Android handhelds. While the overall design isn’t as retro as its competitors, the more modern look is incredibly pretty. It may look great, but what are the specs?

• 7” 1920 x 1080p 16:9 IPS LCD Display
• Octa-core CPU up to 2.3GHz
• Qualcomm Snapdragon 720G 
• Rechargeable Li-Polymer Battery

It runs Android games amazingly well, and it can even handle Diablo Immortal with the Snapdragon 720 processor – brilliant! With the device relying on cloud gaming, it’s easier than ever to hop in and out of games during your free time. The screen is also gorgeous, allowing you to enjoy your favourite Android games with high-quality visuals. 

You can buy the Logitech G Cloud on the official website!

AYA Neo Next

Now, we know what you’re thinking. The AYA Neo Next has a hefty price tag, but it can handle Windows games and has Android capabilities. Many compare this handheld console to the popular Steam Deck. It’s no secret that AYA Neo consoles look beautiful, and the AYA Neo Next is no exception. Before we talk about what makes the AYA Neo Next stand out, let’s go over the specs:

• AMD Radeon Vega 8 GPU
• 2TB Storage
• Fingerprint Unlocking Feature
• AMD Ryzen 7 5825U CPU
• 16GB RAM
• 7” IPS Touchscreen Display 

It’s also not a surprise that the AYA Neo Next is being compared to the Steam Deck, with both consoles basically being a mini-computer. However, the AYA Neo Next has better compatibility, and more storage space compared to the Steam Deck. The price may not be for everyone, and it’s undoubtedly a steep one, but we think this powerful device is worth it. 

You can buy the AYA Neo Next on the official website!