Handheld gaming fans are buzzing about retro devices, but most reviews skip the real problems. You’ve probably seen flashy videos showing perfect gameplay, yet wondered about battery life, build quality, and actual performance.
I spent three weeks testing the Retroid Pocket 4 Pro to give you the truth. This device promises console-quality gaming in your pocket, but does it deliver?
My Retroid Pocket 4 Pro review will cover everything from setup struggles to gaming highs.
I’ll share what works, what doesn’t, and whether it’s worth your money. Let me show you what nobody else tells you about this popular handheld.
Unboxing and First Impressions
The Retroid Pocket 4 Pro arrives in a simple black box with minimal branding. Nothing fancy here, but that’s fine by me. Inside, you’ll find the device wrapped in protective foam, along with a USB-C cable and quick start guide. That’s it – no charger included, which feels cheap for a $219 device.
First thing I noticed? This handheld feels solid. The weight distribution is good, and the matte finish resists fingerprints well.
The 4.7-inch screen looks crisp, though it’s quite reflective under bright lights. Button placement feels natural, and the analog sticks have decent travel. The d-pad clicks nicely without being too loud. Build quality impressed me right away. No creaking plastic or loose parts.
However, in my retroid pocket 4 pro review, I have to say that the power button sits flush with the casing, making it hard to find by feel alone.
How the Retroid Pocket 4 Pro Stacks Up Against the Steam Deck
Comparing these two devices is like matching a compact car against a truck. They serve different needs entirely.
Size and Portability
- The Retroid fits in your pocket easily – the Steam Deck needs a bag
- Weight difference is huge: 8.8 oz vs 1.47 lbs
- Battery life favors the Retroid at 6-8 hours vs Steam Deck’s 2-4 hours
Performance and Gaming
- Steam Deck runs modern PC games smoothly
- Retroid handles retro games and some newer titles with limitations
- Steam Deck offers better graphics and processing power
The Steam Deck wins on raw performance, but the Retroid takes portability. I can slip the Retroid into my jacket pocket for quick gaming sessions during lunch breaks. The Steam Deck stays home for serious gaming sessions. Price matters too – at $219, the Retroid costs less than half of the Steam Deck’s $399 starting price. Both have their place in gaming.
In-depth Retroid Pocket 4 and Retroid Pocket 4 Pro Review
Both the Retroid Pocket 4 and 4 Pro have shaken up the handheld gaming world with their impressive emulation skills and modern Android support.
I’ve spent countless hours testing both devices to see how they really perform in daily use. Let me break down my retroid pocket 4 pro review and everything you need to know about these budget-friendly gaming powerhouses.
Design and Build Quality
Both devices share identical dimensions at 7.2 x 3.1 x 0.9 inches and weigh 269g. They feel solid in your hands without being too heavy for long gaming sessions.
- Premium Feel Materials The matte, textured finish resists fingerprints much better than older models. It feels more expensive than the price suggests.
- Color Options You can choose from Crystal, Watermelon, and 16-bit US colors. Each brings that nostalgic retro vibe gamers love.
- Control Differences The 4 Pro gets hall effect analog sticks and analog triggers. The regular Pocket 4 uses standard sticks with digital triggers. I noticed the difference immediately in racing games.
- Comfort Add-ons The optional $15 grip makes extended gaming much more comfortable. However, there’s no carrying case designed for the grip setup.
Hardware and Performance
The performance gap between these two is bigger than you’d expect from the modest price difference.
- Pocket 4 Specs MediaTek Dimensity 900 CPU with Mali G68 MC4 GPU and 4GB RAM. Geekbench scores hit 767 single-core and 2,207 multi-core.
- Pocket 4 Pro Specs Dimensity 1100 CPU with Mali G77 MC9 GPU and 8GB RAM. Scores jump to 818 single-core and 3,142 multi-core.
- Real-World Impact Antutu benchmarks show the Pro scoring 740,000 vs the regular’s 508,000. That’s a 45% performance boost for multitasking and demanding games.
Display and Visuals
Both use the same 4.7-inch IPS touchscreen with 750×1334 resolution and 500 nits brightness.
- Screen Quality Colors pop nicely for retro games like Super Mario World. Modern titles like Dead Cells look sharp too.
- Minor Issues Some ghosting appears when scrolling through Android menus. It’s less noticeable during actual gameplay.
- Outdoor Use The 500 nits brightness works okay indoors but struggles in direct sunlight. Plan accordingly for outdoor gaming.
Controls and Ergonomics
This is where the Pro really shines compared to the standard model.
- Pro’s Advanced Controls Hall effect sticks prevent drift issues entirely. Analog triggers give precise control in racing games like Gran Turismo 3.
- Standard Model Controls Digital triggers and regular sticks work fine for older console games. Perfect for SNES or PS1 titles.
- Button Quality Both use dome-style D-pads and rubber membrane face buttons. They feel similar to Xbox controller buttons.
Battery Life and Charging
The 5000mAh battery performs differently on each model due to hardware demands.
- Pocket 4 Battery Lasts 6-8 hours for PS1 games and about 3.5 hours under heavy load. The less powerful CPU helps here.
- Pocket 4 Pro Battery Runs 5-7 hours for PS2/GameCube games and 2.8 hours under stress. The cooling fan uses extra power.
- Charging Time Both take about 3 hours to charge when idle, 4 hours while gaming. Standard mode saves battery compared to high performance settings.
Software and User Interface
The software experience differs more than you might think.
- Operating Systems Pocket 4 runs Android 11, while the Pro uses Android 13. The Pro feels faster and supports newer apps better.
- Retroid Launcher Both use the same launcher system for managing emulators and games. Setup takes about 2 minutes once you know what you’re doing.
- Pro Software Perks Screen recording, HDMI output at 720p, and in-game performance tweaks. However, some Netflix games won’t work on Android 13.
Emulation Performance
Here’s where the hardware differences really matter for your gaming experience.
- Pocket 4 Pro Strength Handles PS2, GameCube, and PSP games smoothly. Resident Evil 4 runs at 60 FPS with minor tweaks.
- Pocket 4 Limits Better suited for Dreamcast-era systems and older. PS2 games like Gran Turismo 3 run at 40-50 FPS in busy scenes.
- Shared Excellence Both excel at NES, SNES, and PS1 games. Super Metroid and Final Fantasy VII run perfectly on either device.
Modern Gaming Performance
Android gaming works well on both, though the Pro has some advantages.
- Similar Gaming Call of Duty Mobile and Death’s Door perform nearly the same on both devices. Most Android games auto-adjust settings.
- Pro Advantages The 8GB RAM means smoother app switching. Genshin Impact runs with fewer stutters on low settings.
- App Compatibility The Pro’s Android 13 supports more current apps, but some older apps work better on the Pocket 4’s Android 11.
Retroid Pocket 4 Pro vs Others
When writing this retroid pocket 4 pro review, I had to compare it against other popular handhelds to give you the full picture. The competition is fierce in the $200 range, with each device targeting different gaming needs.
| Feature | Retroid Pocket 4 Pro | Steam Deck OLED | Anbernic RG556 | AYN Odin 2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Price | $199 | $549 | $179 | $319 |
| Screen Size | 4.7″ IPS | 7.4″ OLED | 5.48″ AMOLED | 6″ IPS |
| Weight | 269g | 640g | 301g | 445g |
| RAM | 8GB | 16GB | 8GB | 12GB |
| Battery Life | 5-7 hours | 3-6 hours | 4-6 hours | 6-8 hours |
| Best For | PS2/GameCube | Modern PC games | Retro + Android | All-around gaming |
| Portability | Excellent | Poor | Good | Fair |
Final Verdict
After weeks of testing, the Retroid Pocket 4 Pro proves itself as a solid choice for retro gaming fans.
The hall effect sticks, strong PS2 emulation, and true pocket size make it stand out from bulkier competitors. Yes, the fan gets loud and battery life could be better, but these minor issues don’t overshadow its strengths.
For $199, you’re getting premium controls and performance that rivals devices costing much more.
This retroid pocket 4 pro review shows it hits the sweet spot between price and capability.
Ready to relive your favorite childhood games? Check out more handheld reviews on our site, or drop a comment sharing which retro console you’d emulate first.
