TL;DR: The RG40XX H is the better buy for most people: it has the bigger 4-inch screen, Hall effect joysticks, Wi-Fi and Bluetooth on its spec sheet, and it starts lower, at around $122 against around $158. In the RG40XX H vs RG35XX H choice, pick the RG35XX H only if you want a translucent shell, a slightly sharper 3.5-inch picture at the same 640x480, or room for a 512GB card.
Line these two up and they look like the same console in two sizes: horizontal Anbernic handhelds running Linux, each with a 640x480 IPS screen, a Type-C port and HDMI out. The RG40XX H vs RG35XX H decision really turns on four things: screen size, stick type, wireless and price. And the bigger one is actually cheaper to get into. Here is how they compare, which bundle to order, and who should still pick the smaller RG35XX H.
RG40XX H vs RG35XX H: How Do Screens, Sticks and Wireless Compare?
Start with the screen. The Anbernic RG40XX H has a 4.0-inch IPS panel, the RG35XX H a 3.5-inch one, and both run at 640x480. The same pixel count on a bigger panel gives you a bigger picture rather than a sharper one: roughly 200 pixels per inch on the RG40XX H against about 230 on the RG35XX H. Both are 4:3, the shape TVs had when cartridge consoles ruled the living room, so those games fill the screen without stretching.
Sticks are the next split. The RG40XX H listing specifies Hall effect joysticks, which sense position with magnets instead of the rubbing contacts that wear out and cause drift. The RG35XX H listing doesn't say what type its sticks are, so we won't guess.
Then wireless. The RG40XX H lists Wi-Fi and Bluetooth; the RG35XX H spec sheet marks both as no. Battery is close to a tie, 3200mAh against 3300mAh, and both charge over Type-C and list HDMI output, Mini HDMI on the RG35XX H.
| What matters | RG40XX H | RG35XX H |
|---|---|---|
| Screen | 4.0-inch IPS | 3.5-inch IPS |
| Resolution | 640x480 | 640x480 |
| Sharpness (approx.) | About 200 pixels per inch | About 230 pixels per inch |
| Joysticks | Hall effect listed | Type not listed |
| Wi-Fi and Bluetooth | Both listed | Listed as no |
| Battery | 3200mAh, Type-C charging | 3300mAh, Type-C charging |
| Video out | HDMI | Mini HDMI |
| Card bundles | 64GB, 128GB or 256G | 64G, or 64G plus 128G |
| Card expansion | Up to 256G listed | Up to 512GB listed |
| Colors | Grey, blue, black | Black, translucent white or purple |
| Price from | Around $122 | Around $158 |
| Best for | First handheld, gifts, bigger screen | Translucent fans, big card libraries |
Which Storage Bundle Makes Sense for Each One?
The RG40XX H comes with a 64GB card listed at 5490 games, 128GB at 8422 or 256G at 11471, plus two 256G bundles built around PSP games. Colors are grey, blue or black, each also offered with a carry bag. The RG35XX H is simpler: a 64G card listed with 5528 games, a 64G plus 128G option, or 64G with a storage bag, in black, translucent white or translucent purple.
For a gift, the 64GB or 128GB bundle is plenty. A bigger game count mostly means a longer menu to scroll through, not more fun. If you plan to add your own legally dumped backups or homebrew, read our TF card basics guide before you reformat anything, because formatting a preloaded card on a computer wipes its setup.
Card ceilings differ too. The RG35XX H listing says its TF slot expands up to 512GB, while the RG40XX H listing gives 256G. For most retro libraries, 256G is far more room than you will use.
Who Should Still Pick the RG35XX H?
The RG35XX H costs more to start, so it needs a reason. There are three good ones.
First, the shell. Translucent white and translucent purple are the RG35XX H's signature look, the see-through style that made late-90s handhelds feel like gadgets, and the RG40XX H doesn't offer anything like them. Second, sharpness: at the same 640x480, the smaller 3.5-inch screen packs its pixels a little tighter, so pixel art looks slightly crisper, at the cost of a smaller picture. Third, headroom: the listed 512GB card limit suits someone who already keeps a large collection of their own backups.
Everyone else, including first-time players and most gift buyers, gets more from the RG40XX H: the bigger screen, Hall effect sticks, listed Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, and a starting price around $36 lower.
RG40XX H vs RG35XX H: Quick Answers
Is the RG40XX H or the RG35XX H the better buy?
The RG40XX H is the better buy for most people, because it starts lower, around $122 against around $158, and still gives you the bigger 4.0-inch screen, Hall effect joysticks and listed Wi-Fi and Bluetooth. The RG35XX H earns its place if you want a translucent shell, a slightly sharper 3.5-inch picture at the same resolution, or a listed 512GB card limit.
What is the screen size difference between the RG40XX H and the RG35XX H?
The RG40XX H has a 4.0-inch IPS screen, half an inch larger diagonally than the 3.5-inch IPS screen on the RG35XX H. Both run at 640x480, so the RG40XX H shows a bigger picture while the RG35XX H packs its pixels tighter, about 230 pixels per inch against roughly 200. Both screens are 4:3, which suits classic console games.
Do the RG40XX H and RG35XX H have Wi-Fi or Bluetooth?
The RG40XX H is the one of these two whose listing includes both Wi-Fi and Bluetooth. The RG35XX H spec sheet marks Wi-Fi and Bluetooth as no, so if wireless features matter to you, choose the RG40XX H. Neither needs a wireless connection to play, charge over Type-C or send video to a TV over HDMI.
How big a microSD card can the RG40XX H and RG35XX H take?
The RG35XX H listing says its TF card slot expands up to 512GB, while the RG40XX H listing gives 256G as its expandable storage. TF is the same format as microSD, so ordinary microSD cards fit both. For most retro libraries 256G is plenty; the bigger ceiling only matters if you carry a very large collection of your own backups.
Can the RG40XX H or the RG35XX H connect to a TV?
Both the RG40XX H and the RG35XX H list HDMI output, so either one can show its games on a TV. The RG35XX H specifies a Mini HDMI port, which needs a Mini HDMI to HDMI cable or adapter. The RG40XX H listing simply says HDMI output without naming the connector size, so check the port before you order a cable.
So, Which Anbernic Should You Buy?
Buy the RG40XX H if this is someone's first handheld, if it is a gift, or if you simply want the bigger screen and Hall effect sticks for less money. Buy the RG35XX H if a translucent purple or white shell is the whole point, or if you want the tighter 3.5-inch picture and a 512GB card ceiling.
Not sold on the horizontal shape? Our TrimUI Brick vs Miyoo Mini Plus comparison covers two upright, Game Boy-style alternatives. Or browse every model in our handheld consoles collection and compare screens, sticks and bundles side by side.