In recent times, the world has been experiencing the massive arrival of consoles dedicated to retrogaming. It is therefore rather difficult to distinguish the machines that are worth the detour from the rest.
After being intrigued by a console that was carving out a solid reputation among the retrogamer community, we got our hands on it. Let's see together what the Android machine available for less than 200 euros here is worth.
Technical characteristics of the Retroid Pocket 4 Pro
You should know that the Pocket 4 from Retroid is available in a classic version, and a Pro version. It is the latter that we tried, and which offers superior performance compared to version 4.
The Retroid Pocket 4 Pro is a horizontal format console that is particularly compact. At 18.5 centimeters wide and 8 centimeters long, it is barely larger than a Samsung S24 Ultra.
It has a 4.7-inch touchscreen with a 720p resolution. At its heart is a Mediatek Dimensity 1100 processor, 8 GB of RAM, 128 GB of expandable storage via Micro SD and a 5000 mAh battery. In terms of connectivity, it integrates Bluetooth version 5.2, as well as WiFi 6.
One of the most interesting parts of the machine is that it runs on Android 13. This offers great opportunities for customization here.
The Retroid Pocket 4 Pro console is available at Geekbuying for 235 euros with the code NNNFRP4 and free delivery.
A classic design for an atypical format
We're not going to lie, when you saw the Retroid Pocket 4 Pro, there's a good chance you thought of the Switch Lite. However, Nintendo's console with its 5.5" screen is more imposing than the Retroid console. The latter is barely larger than a high-end smartphone, and if this is surprising at first, we will appreciate this format in order to carry it easily.
The Retroid Pocket 4 Pro is available in the following colors:
- 16Bit
- Black
- Watermelon
- Ice Blue
- Crystal
The version presented in our test is the watermelon color, and it must be said that it has a crazy charm with its transparent shell. A case that will take us straight back to the nostalgia of the 90s. We will simply regret that Retroid did not choose to equip the Pocket 4 Pro with an AMOLED panel, even if the current screen remains rather flattering. Ambernic offers an OLED screen with its RG556, but with a processor that is not up to what is asked of it.
Smallness comes with a price
Let's now talk about the ergonomics of the Retroid Pocket 4 Pro. As mentioned previously, the console has chosen to offer a small, very cute format. However, this reduced size leads to cramps after 30 minutes of play, especially when using the left joystick.
This has been placed below the directional cross, which presents a more natural hand position. Retroid offers a grip for sale, which according to console users improves the grip of the console.
At the time of writing this article, our grip is being sent. We will therefore update it once the grip is received, in order to know exactly if the proposed ergonomics are better when using the accessory.
Apart from that, we were surprised by the feel of the Retroid Pocket's keys. The directional pad has a short travel with a particularly satisfying click, as do the R1 and L1 triggers. The R2 and L2 triggers are large, which makes it easy to enjoy racing games.
Finally, the console's two joysticks are Hall effect, so there is no risk of drift to worry about. Overall, the Retroid Pocket 4 Pro is a very well-finished machine, offering quality elements, even if we can regret its ergonomics which are not perfectly adapted to large hands.
All the power of Android in the palm of the hand
Running under Android 13, the Retroid Pocket 4 allows you to exploit everything that Google's OS offers. We have thus installed the Netflix video streaming application on the machine, for those who would like to watch videos on the console.
However, the main interest here is to be able to download the games offered by the service, in particular Dead Cells as well as GTA III, GTA Vice City and GTA San Andreas. Titles that work wonderfully on the retro console. Thus, the entire catalog of Android games is available and playable in the best possible way, using all the buttons offered by the Retroid Pocket 4 Pro.
Using Chiaki, it is even possible to transform the Retroid console into a real PS Portal by taking advantage of Remote play on PS5. Similarly, Steam Link will allow you to stream your Steam game library.
As is Android, the Retroid has a very practical drop-down menu, which allows you to choose the performance mode on the fly. This is intended to gain autonomy during light use, or to launch the intensive performance mode when necessary.
It is also possible to quickly change the layout of the keys by switching from Nintendo style to Xbox style, by reversing the A and B keys. A feature that will be particularly useful when the main use of the Retroid Pocket 4 Pro, that is to say emulation.
Emulation at its peak, but beware of tedious settings
On Android, it is possible to download a plethora of emulators via the Google Play Store. Emulators for all consoles up to the PS2 and the GameCube work perfectly, but you will still have to spend a lot of time setting up the machine. To help you out, the Retro Game Corps channel offers an excellent explanatory video, to help you through the process, which is still somewhat tedious.
This is how we were able to see that the Retroid Pocket 4 Pro was powerful enough to emulate consoles like the PS2 and the GameCube, and in the best conditions! Rather impressive for a machine whose price does not exceed 200 euros.
While the use of emulators is authorized, let us remember that downloading ROMS is illegal with regard to copyright infringement.
The power of the Retroid Pocket 4 Pro allows you to double the native resolution of the console on PSP and PS1 emulators, for example. Retroid's machine goes even further by offering a display on TV, through a mini HDMI port located at the top of the console. If this limits the resolution to 720p, it is also possible to use a USB-C hub to display an image in 1080p.
A champion's battery life, but variable
With the Retroid Pocket 4 Pro, it is interesting to manage the performance modes well, especially in use related to emulation. According to our tests, the console's battery life is close to 12 hours for the least demanding games.
A real feat when you consider that we always used the console with the screen brightness at maximum. On the other hand, emulating PS2 and GameCube games obviously requires more power from the console, and it tends to run out of steam after 4 hours 30. This result is still rather high for this type of use.
Where to buy it?
The Retroid Pocket 4 Pro console is available at Geekbuying for 235 euros with the code NNNFRP4 and free delivery.
0 Comments