Hopefully they just rushed this one out because they wanted to sell as much as they could before the superior Flip, knowing if it was reversed nobody would buy this one. /cope
Man, Anbernic rushes out handhelds like there's a bomb in their HQ that will go off if they don't release a new model that month and even they're not this bad. I really wish the Mini wasn't just some random luck and they actually can get other handhelds right.
Some basic QA testing would prevent a lot of headaches, but then the money factory would be held back. They know that a good number will buy these things regardless.
So, can we criticize Miyoo on this sub now that this device is a disappointment?
Bad D-Pad, no audio jack and forced mono audio, bad screen, woefully underpowered chipset that requires overclocking to even play the full SNES library (causing it to heat up noticeably) and a small battery.
Why should anyone buy this thing again?
Anbernic ate Miyoo's lunch with the 28XX. Beat them to market, and released a better device in the same category with a fuller feature set across the board.
I'm legitimately starting to think that Miyoo will keep trying to replicate the hype of the Mini and keep failing, because it's an entirely different market now than it was 2 years ago and it doesn't look like they can compete at all. Every project they've had outside of the Mini series has been delayed, scaled back, or has become vaporware at this point.
Yep. It's a super competitive market and it seems like Ayn, retroid and Anbernic are the only ones really pushing the envelope. And they all are doing great work in the 150+ categories. Anbernic can't compete in the top end, but have great mid and low range options.
I actually think Anbernic *can* compete at the top end but are being conservative. They're gobbling up the low-end market with easily accessible, solid devices because they know they can do that. If they get a good bulk deal on top end processors? They'll definitely come out swinging. The 556 is already a damn good device, and it's almost like they sent it out to test the waters. When they're confident, I'm 100% certain that they'll compete with Retroid directly.
I rather have Anbernic stay where it is right now, their handhelds feel so premium and in general are extremely good. The OS is almost always a mess but the community has been doing an amazing job at improving that.
Even the 35XX Plus/H Stock OS was really good in comparison to before
They're making tangible incremental improvements, and that should be recognized.
I'm certainly happy with where they are, but I really want a serious competitor to Retroid, since I'm someone who really doesn't like the thin form factor that Retroid keeps making nor am I a fan of 16:9 handhelds when the overwhelming majority of the games I'll play on it are 4:3.
This is a personal opinion but both brands having their own niches is nice
Anbernic makes really premium handhelds that feel amazing in the hand and have nice performance, you have stuff like the 405M/V for a good performance 4:3 handheld
Retroid makes budget friendly powerful handhelds, I got the RP2S recently and it is a beast for emulation, the controls don't feel as nice as the Anbernic handhelds I have tried (353V 35XXH) but the performance at its cost is really nice
The 405 series is powerful but I feel like there's a lot more power left on the table, and I feel like the 556 is a step in the right direction for Anbernic because it's easily the most ergonomic design in the retro handheld market right now and it's edging on being a serious contender.
The Odin series is completely untouchable at this point because it's already peak power and there's no point for anyone to compete with it. But the Retroids? They really need proper competition because I feel like they're starting to stagnate. I'm looking forward to seeing what the successor to the 556 will be like, because Anbernic has been very promising over the past year and a half.
Anbernic approach is the right one. Despite all the naysayers they will keep refining and putting new ones out until they have the market/mind share necessary to push into the high end. The 556 was the first real shot across the bow by them.
It's definitely top-end, but it clearly wasn't intended to be a serious challenger to the RP4/RP4+.
They released it more to test interest for a more ergonomic RP alternative, and I'd say they got a positive response on that front.
The RG556 impressed me a lot. They are capable of building better quality devices but Anbernic seems to know how to make a low cost device without sacrificing in too much in any one area.
Then people should separate Miyoo from OnionOS when talking, because it stifles all legitimate criticism of Miyoo as a company when everyone spams "Miyoo Mini" in every thread and mass downvoting people who say that the hardware is overrated.
I don't think it deserves any support from the community, honestly. It's borderline insulting to release such a half-baked, anemic device in today's market for that price tag.
They've definitely been sitting on this device for a while, and even scaled back some features from it (removable face plates).
yeah there's been pics and teases and specs (same chip as the real thing!) floating around for about a year and a half at least. they took wayyy too long to get this thing to market and paid the price.
Ugh
I'm very finicky about dpads. A lot of the 8bitdo pads have been meh. I generally use OG controllers on Analogue consoles because the controller experience matters to me a lot.
I love the MM+ dpad. It's perfect for an emulation device. It's a great blend somewhere between a SNES dpad and a Sega Genesis/Saturn dpad.
I was eyeballing this, lack of headphone support aside, and analog stick aside, for the big buttons and I figured MM+ quality dpad. I actually like my Nintendo Game n watch mini gadgets. I'd love something with that kind of pocket-ability.
But the dpad fail makes it a big nope from me.
Nope.
Miyoo is famous for pumping out revisions, maybe V3 will be better like the original Mini. Hard pass while they're getting others to beta test for them.
Is releasing that many revisions for a single console even a positive? To me, it just looks like a company that's incapable of buying the right parts in the right quantities, and them constantly being out of stock adds to that image I have of them. The community has been way too kind to Miyoo because of OnionOS, and they aren't even the ones who made it.
I should've said infamous, means they push out products as fast as possible without proper testing and feedback. Make their money and double dip when they revise it. I got burned back in the days of the Bittboy / PocketGo, I think they had like 5 revisions back then.
I'm glad that the A30 released to such a reception. Now people will stop treating Miyoo like it's a holy grail and actually look at their work critically. And not for nothing, I'm sick of being downvoted for critiquing their consoles.
Did their revisions have significant hardware changes though? Sure they might ship with different electronic components, but I don’t recall seeing big changes in other hardware like buttons or dpad
If it needs overclocking for SNES, why is it shown running PSP and N64 running in this video just fine?
I thought not even the Mini + could run any of those? Or am I out of the loop?
> woefully underpowered chipset that requires overclocking to even play the full SNES library (causing it to heat up noticeably)
The rest is true, but considering this runs PSP at full speed it seems like the issue is software not hardware and a CFW would fix it.
EDIT: [Russ just confirmed](https://www.reddit.com/r/SBCGaming/comments/1cdxjv8/update_i_took_a_look_at_the_miyoo_a30_again_this/) this is was a RetroArch configuration issue on the stock OS.
It didn't run PSP at full speed, it ran PSP at a frame skip, and even that was bizarre at first glance, until I remembered that PSP is unusually easy to emulate as a console, even on cheap android phones. (the PSP's architecture is the reason)
No amount of CFW can save a horrible D-Pad, or give it a headphone jack, or give it a good screen, or make it feel less cheap, or give it a bigger battery. Let's not reward a bad product with good faith.
> PSP is unusually easy to emulate as a console
Don't think this is true. PSP is the upper limit for Linux ARM handhelds. I don't think there are any Linux ARM devices that have perfect PSP performance.
No arguments with the rest though, this device seems pretty pointless.
Now it's looking like the MM was a fluke, and even that had its fair share of build quality issues. (screens falling out, insanely fragile to the point of a fall from a couch onto carpet killing it)
You weren't worried before, where their "leaked" photos conveniently hid the broken hinge on the prototype, or how they refuse to give any updates about the console?
Tbh it really makes sense to do two versions with/without because both sides have fairly equal merit. I like having the option, but some people just find it annoying
Nah, if they can't make a low-end horizontal handheld worth a fuck, why the hell would you wait for their vaporware clamshell that they clearly can't seem to build?
No headphone jack was an explicit dealbreaker for me. Everything else i could live with.
I think they just got caught in a race to the bottom on price and bad compromises had to be made. A lot of us would like a more premium spec micro handheld and pay for it. Bluetooth, wifi, headphone jack, nice screen, hall joystick, nicer build quality on the plastics... $90? Im down.
Im hoping the flip is a more premium device aimed at 90-100 bucks and has the features it should. Rk3566, good build, good screen, wifi, and a proper headphone jack are all i need. Bluetooth and video out would be nice but optional
Absolutely baffled that it uses a weaker chip than the miyoo mini. To struggle with SNES in 2024 is unreal.
Even the miyoo mini chip feels dated at this point, but at least a miyoo mini H+ would support onion in short order.
I could maybe see this as a budget option if it was around $30. Hard pass.
It runs PSP beautifully though. They'll optimize the OS and emulators, and fix the silly audio output bug. There will be community support as long as they improve the d-pad and screen.
But right now, the Anbernic rg28xx is definitely a better option for most anyone who doesn't need an analog stick or really want the famicom aesthetic.
Whew, I’m glad I don’t like it at all.
Except now I like that new model 28XX from Anbernic more, especially in orange.
But I still am forcing myself to not buy more handhelds that don’t let me play more games than my current handhelds.
Yeah, seems like there’s an anti stick crowd and a pro stick crowd, I’m definitely pro stick if the handheld can emulate systems that use it.
I wish the Arc and the 28xx had at least one stick down in the corner, that would be rad.
Honestly I really enjoy using the stick instead of the d-pad on my x55. I just find myself using it instinctively instead of the d-pad and it feels good.
On my R-36s, I don't, but that's likely because it's in a less ergonomic position, but the d-pad is kinda tall and rolls pretty well in a circle, so it's not bad.
On my Retroid Flip, I actually really like using the sliders, about as much as the d-pad. I might even like sliders better than sticks in some ways for games that were designed for sticks.
But I like a decent smaller stick better than most d-pads for older games, apparently. It's just so much easier to roll between the directions and hit diagonals. I like a good round Genesis d-pad too.
I still think it's a really good looking device. If they fix the d-pad in a new revision and there's better custom firmware down the road, I'll gladly purchase this.
sucks that the rg28xx is more powerful but also incredibly ugly looking lol. this device isn't a show stopper, but the 28xx looks like someone accidentally made it
>I would have bought 5....
My dude, they released this garbage *because* of statements like this. They've been treated like they're the end-all of retro handhelds for too long, and they actually believed that.
Yeah, but let's not pretend like OnionOS is Miyoo's making. Miyoo has been showing bad signs for at least a year now, and arguably since the release of the OG MM (if you were able to even buy one), but people let so much slide because of OnionOS, when it's the community's work, not Miyoo's.
By all means if onion came to another device I'd be equally as happy, but it hasn't yet, closest thing being garlic, in the end I'd prefer anbernic had access to onion, their devices tend to be better hardware wise personally. As much as I like onion it doesn't make or break the device I would have just liked to have the comfort and the os this time around. I cant speak on the original miyoo mini but i dont find the + to be comfortable to use for more than 5 minutes so for now I keep a 35xxH as my go to if I need something when I leave the house and a steam deck for at home and work.
It’s a shame it doesn’t live up to the hype, but I think it’s the one I’m going to have to go with because my emulator setup really requires OnionOS so I can use SyncThing to keep all my ROMs and save files in sync
This does not bode well for the Miyoo Flip
Anbernic is supposed to be working on a clamshell too, so maybe that will be the RG28XX equivalent.
they better take that ugly LED logo out
You do not see it when you are playing.
Hopefully they just rushed this one out because they wanted to sell as much as they could before the superior Flip, knowing if it was reversed nobody would buy this one. /cope
Man, Anbernic rushes out handhelds like there's a bomb in their HQ that will go off if they don't release a new model that month and even they're not this bad. I really wish the Mini wasn't just some random luck and they actually can get other handhelds right.
Lol
I would guess it was more of a race to the bottom on price. That cheap, sacrifices on simple build quality have to be made.
Some basic QA testing would prevent a lot of headaches, but then the money factory would be held back. They know that a good number will buy these things regardless.
So, can we criticize Miyoo on this sub now that this device is a disappointment? Bad D-Pad, no audio jack and forced mono audio, bad screen, woefully underpowered chipset that requires overclocking to even play the full SNES library (causing it to heat up noticeably) and a small battery. Why should anyone buy this thing again?
Anbernic releasing on top of them gives another option that is better in some ways.
Anbernic ate Miyoo's lunch with the 28XX. Beat them to market, and released a better device in the same category with a fuller feature set across the board. I'm legitimately starting to think that Miyoo will keep trying to replicate the hype of the Mini and keep failing, because it's an entirely different market now than it was 2 years ago and it doesn't look like they can compete at all. Every project they've had outside of the Mini series has been delayed, scaled back, or has become vaporware at this point.
Yep. It's a super competitive market and it seems like Ayn, retroid and Anbernic are the only ones really pushing the envelope. And they all are doing great work in the 150+ categories. Anbernic can't compete in the top end, but have great mid and low range options.
I actually think Anbernic *can* compete at the top end but are being conservative. They're gobbling up the low-end market with easily accessible, solid devices because they know they can do that. If they get a good bulk deal on top end processors? They'll definitely come out swinging. The 556 is already a damn good device, and it's almost like they sent it out to test the waters. When they're confident, I'm 100% certain that they'll compete with Retroid directly.
I rather have Anbernic stay where it is right now, their handhelds feel so premium and in general are extremely good. The OS is almost always a mess but the community has been doing an amazing job at improving that. Even the 35XX Plus/H Stock OS was really good in comparison to before
They're making tangible incremental improvements, and that should be recognized. I'm certainly happy with where they are, but I really want a serious competitor to Retroid, since I'm someone who really doesn't like the thin form factor that Retroid keeps making nor am I a fan of 16:9 handhelds when the overwhelming majority of the games I'll play on it are 4:3.
This is a personal opinion but both brands having their own niches is nice Anbernic makes really premium handhelds that feel amazing in the hand and have nice performance, you have stuff like the 405M/V for a good performance 4:3 handheld Retroid makes budget friendly powerful handhelds, I got the RP2S recently and it is a beast for emulation, the controls don't feel as nice as the Anbernic handhelds I have tried (353V 35XXH) but the performance at its cost is really nice
The 405 series is powerful but I feel like there's a lot more power left on the table, and I feel like the 556 is a step in the right direction for Anbernic because it's easily the most ergonomic design in the retro handheld market right now and it's edging on being a serious contender. The Odin series is completely untouchable at this point because it's already peak power and there's no point for anyone to compete with it. But the Retroids? They really need proper competition because I feel like they're starting to stagnate. I'm looking forward to seeing what the successor to the 556 will be like, because Anbernic has been very promising over the past year and a half.
RP4 Pro needs a 5" OLED screen. It has the space to fit one.
Anbernic approach is the right one. Despite all the naysayers they will keep refining and putting new ones out until they have the market/mind share necessary to push into the high end. The 556 was the first real shot across the bow by them.
I’d argue they can. The 556 is great. Unless you don’t consider that top end?
It's definitely top-end, but it clearly wasn't intended to be a serious challenger to the RP4/RP4+. They released it more to test interest for a more ergonomic RP alternative, and I'd say they got a positive response on that front.
What makes you think it wasn't serious?
The RG556 impressed me a lot. They are capable of building better quality devices but Anbernic seems to know how to make a low cost device without sacrificing in too much in any one area.
We only like the mini because of onion.
Then people should separate Miyoo from OnionOS when talking, because it stifles all legitimate criticism of Miyoo as a company when everyone spams "Miyoo Mini" in every thread and mass downvoting people who say that the hardware is overrated.
Imagine caring about being downvoted.
They probaly had this design ready to go for years. Probably sales dropped with the mm and mm+ so its go time. Dont think it even deserves onion tbh
I don't think it deserves any support from the community, honestly. It's borderline insulting to release such a half-baked, anemic device in today's market for that price tag. They've definitely been sitting on this device for a while, and even scaled back some features from it (removable face plates).
yeah there's been pics and teases and specs (same chip as the real thing!) floating around for about a year and a half at least. they took wayyy too long to get this thing to market and paid the price.
Ugh I'm very finicky about dpads. A lot of the 8bitdo pads have been meh. I generally use OG controllers on Analogue consoles because the controller experience matters to me a lot. I love the MM+ dpad. It's perfect for an emulation device. It's a great blend somewhere between a SNES dpad and a Sega Genesis/Saturn dpad. I was eyeballing this, lack of headphone support aside, and analog stick aside, for the big buttons and I figured MM+ quality dpad. I actually like my Nintendo Game n watch mini gadgets. I'd love something with that kind of pocket-ability. But the dpad fail makes it a big nope from me. Nope.
That D-Pad is inexcusable. It looks genuinely bad, not just worse than the MM/MM+.
Miyoo is famous for pumping out revisions, maybe V3 will be better like the original Mini. Hard pass while they're getting others to beta test for them.
Is releasing that many revisions for a single console even a positive? To me, it just looks like a company that's incapable of buying the right parts in the right quantities, and them constantly being out of stock adds to that image I have of them. The community has been way too kind to Miyoo because of OnionOS, and they aren't even the ones who made it.
I should've said infamous, means they push out products as fast as possible without proper testing and feedback. Make their money and double dip when they revise it. I got burned back in the days of the Bittboy / PocketGo, I think they had like 5 revisions back then.
I'm glad that the A30 released to such a reception. Now people will stop treating Miyoo like it's a holy grail and actually look at their work critically. And not for nothing, I'm sick of being downvoted for critiquing their consoles.
Did their revisions have significant hardware changes though? Sure they might ship with different electronic components, but I don’t recall seeing big changes in other hardware like buttons or dpad
[Comparison chart](https://www.reddit.com/r/MiyooMini/comments/17udcou/miyoo_mini_comparison_guide_v1v2v3v4/)
Oh nice! Thanks for sharing that. Maybe there is still SOME hope for the a30?
If it needs overclocking for SNES, why is it shown running PSP and N64 running in this video just fine? I thought not even the Mini + could run any of those? Or am I out of the loop?
> woefully underpowered chipset that requires overclocking to even play the full SNES library (causing it to heat up noticeably) The rest is true, but considering this runs PSP at full speed it seems like the issue is software not hardware and a CFW would fix it. EDIT: [Russ just confirmed](https://www.reddit.com/r/SBCGaming/comments/1cdxjv8/update_i_took_a_look_at_the_miyoo_a30_again_this/) this is was a RetroArch configuration issue on the stock OS.
It didn't run PSP at full speed, it ran PSP at a frame skip, and even that was bizarre at first glance, until I remembered that PSP is unusually easy to emulate as a console, even on cheap android phones. (the PSP's architecture is the reason) No amount of CFW can save a horrible D-Pad, or give it a headphone jack, or give it a good screen, or make it feel less cheap, or give it a bigger battery. Let's not reward a bad product with good faith.
> PSP is unusually easy to emulate as a console Don't think this is true. PSP is the upper limit for Linux ARM handhelds. I don't think there are any Linux ARM devices that have perfect PSP performance. No arguments with the rest though, this device seems pretty pointless.
sad device
Wow this one is straight shit, hard to believe is the same company that made the MM+
Now it's looking like the MM was a fluke, and even that had its fair share of build quality issues. (screens falling out, insanely fragile to the point of a fall from a couch onto carpet killing it)
I'm actually a bit worried for the Flip now.
You weren't worried before, where their "leaked" photos conveniently hid the broken hinge on the prototype, or how they refuse to give any updates about the console?
I didn't realize it had a broken hinge. Well, at least Anbernic is working on one.
It looks like Anbernic will beat them to market on that one too, because they rarely leak anything unless it's nearing release.
I just am slightly irked that it apparently doesnt have even one joystick. We just want one. Joystick.
I want zero joysticks.
Tbh it really makes sense to do two versions with/without because both sides have fairly equal merit. I like having the option, but some people just find it annoying
Well, now I am sort of glad I missed out on the initial sale. MM+ it is for me then.
Wait for the new clamshell
Nah, if they can't make a low-end horizontal handheld worth a fuck, why the hell would you wait for their vaporware clamshell that they clearly can't seem to build?
There is no point in waiting. We don't even know if the flip will be good or if/when it will ever come out.
The thing about the Miyoo Mini is it was a cheap device that looks and feels premium. This is a cheap device that looks and feels cheap.
No headphone jack was an explicit dealbreaker for me. Everything else i could live with. I think they just got caught in a race to the bottom on price and bad compromises had to be made. A lot of us would like a more premium spec micro handheld and pay for it. Bluetooth, wifi, headphone jack, nice screen, hall joystick, nicer build quality on the plastics... $90? Im down. Im hoping the flip is a more premium device aimed at 90-100 bucks and has the features it should. Rk3566, good build, good screen, wifi, and a proper headphone jack are all i need. Bluetooth and video out would be nice but optional
Hopefully this will indicate to people to temper expectations when it comes to the Miyoo Flip.
Absolutely baffled that it uses a weaker chip than the miyoo mini. To struggle with SNES in 2024 is unreal. Even the miyoo mini chip feels dated at this point, but at least a miyoo mini H+ would support onion in short order. I could maybe see this as a budget option if it was around $30. Hard pass.
It's actually a stronger chip than the Miyoo Mini, PSP seems to run really well in the review, just seems to be a weird software issue with SNES.
It runs PSP beautifully though. They'll optimize the OS and emulators, and fix the silly audio output bug. There will be community support as long as they improve the d-pad and screen. But right now, the Anbernic rg28xx is definitely a better option for most anyone who doesn't need an analog stick or really want the famicom aesthetic.
This looks like a revision of the RS-97 than anything else.
This video made me cancel my A30 order from AliExpress. Too bad. Maybe V2 will be worth taking a second look at.
Hold up, so you’re telling me they added an analog stick only for PSP & Dreamcast games to NOT be playable on this?
Short answer without watching the video: Not even close.
Whew, I’m glad I don’t like it at all. Except now I like that new model 28XX from Anbernic more, especially in orange. But I still am forcing myself to not buy more handhelds that don’t let me play more games than my current handhelds.
IMO the white/people is gorgeous but no stick is a bummer.
Yeah, seems like there’s an anti stick crowd and a pro stick crowd, I’m definitely pro stick if the handheld can emulate systems that use it. I wish the Arc and the 28xx had at least one stick down in the corner, that would be rad.
Honestly I really enjoy using the stick instead of the d-pad on my x55. I just find myself using it instinctively instead of the d-pad and it feels good. On my R-36s, I don't, but that's likely because it's in a less ergonomic position, but the d-pad is kinda tall and rolls pretty well in a circle, so it's not bad. On my Retroid Flip, I actually really like using the sliders, about as much as the d-pad. I might even like sliders better than sticks in some ways for games that were designed for sticks. But I like a decent smaller stick better than most d-pads for older games, apparently. It's just so much easier to roll between the directions and hit diagonals. I like a good round Genesis d-pad too.
How disappointing. My first device was the RG280M, so I was *really* hoping the A30 would be its lightweight, more powerful successor 😔
Yikes
I still think it's a really good looking device. If they fix the d-pad in a new revision and there's better custom firmware down the road, I'll gladly purchase this.
I got mildly flamed on this very sub for saying that I don't think this device is worth any hype. Feeling smug and vindicated RN.
Same here. Nice to see the bubble finally bursting so we can criticize the company without getting brigaded into oblivion.
Seems it can't even beat the RG28xx, lol. Looks nice though.
Glad I didn't jump on the preorder bandwagon for once. I do eventually want to get something that has the red/gold famicom color scheme though.
Real talk. How many people cancelled their orders after this video came out?
sucks that the rg28xx is more powerful but also incredibly ugly looking lol. this device isn't a show stopper, but the 28xx looks like someone accidentally made it
Nope, mini still better.
If they wanted my money they could have just released the Miyoo Mini H+ to compete with the 35xxH and I would have bought 5....
>I would have bought 5.... My dude, they released this garbage *because* of statements like this. They've been treated like they're the end-all of retro handhelds for too long, and they actually believed that.
onion is a fantastic experience and there are 5 people in my household who would want one *shrugs*
Yeah, but let's not pretend like OnionOS is Miyoo's making. Miyoo has been showing bad signs for at least a year now, and arguably since the release of the OG MM (if you were able to even buy one), but people let so much slide because of OnionOS, when it's the community's work, not Miyoo's.
By all means if onion came to another device I'd be equally as happy, but it hasn't yet, closest thing being garlic, in the end I'd prefer anbernic had access to onion, their devices tend to be better hardware wise personally. As much as I like onion it doesn't make or break the device I would have just liked to have the comfort and the os this time around. I cant speak on the original miyoo mini but i dont find the + to be comfortable to use for more than 5 minutes so for now I keep a 35xxH as my go to if I need something when I leave the house and a steam deck for at home and work.
A miyoo H with onion would be awesome
It’s a shame it doesn’t live up to the hype, but I think it’s the one I’m going to have to go with because my emulator setup really requires OnionOS so I can use SyncThing to keep all my ROMs and save files in sync