The main difference between the Retroid Pocket 5 and the RG Cube is power.
The Retroid Pocket 5 plays everything up to PS2 well, while the RG Cube tops out at Wii.
Other differences
- The Retroid Pocket 5 has a 16:9 screen and the RG Cube a 1:1 one, so different systems fill each.
- The Retroid Pocket 5 has an AMOLED screen with true blacks; the RG Cube uses an IPS panel.
- The Retroid Pocket 5 has a 5.5 inch screen against 3.95 inches on the RG Cube.
- The Retroid Pocket 5 runs Android or Linux, the RG Cube runs Android.
Which is better
Which fits in a pocket better?
TieAbout the same size: Retroid Pocket 5 199.2 x 78.5 x 15.6 mm, 280 g, RG Cube 153 x 86.3 x 18 mm, 256 g. Neither fits a jeans pocket; think jacket pocket or bag.
Which is better for PS2 games, the Retroid Pocket 5 or the RG Cube?
Retroid Pocket 5The Retroid Pocket 5. It scores 86 out of 100 for PS2 against 76.
Which costs less?
RG CubeThe RG Cube, at about $170 at launch against $200. Prices today vary by store and the used market.
Which is better for GBA games?
TieBoth run GBA at full speed and fill about the same share of the screen with even pixels: 67% of the Retroid Pocket 5's screen at 6x, 67% of the RG Cube's screen at 3x.
Which has the bigger battery?
TieAbout the same: 5,000 and 5,200 mAh.
Side by side
| Retroid Pocket 5 | RG Cube | |
|---|---|---|
| Launch price | $200 | $170 |
| Released | Nov 2024 | Jun 2024 |
| Plays well up to | PS2 | Wii |
| Shape | Horizontal | Horizontal |
| Software | Android or Linux | Android |
| Chip | Qualcomm Snapdragon 865 | UNISOC Tiger T820 |
| Memory | 8 GB | 8 GB |
| Screen | 5.5 inch AMOLED 16:9 | 3.95 inch IPS 1:1 |
| Resolution | 1920 x 1080 | 720 x 720 |
| Battery | 5,000 mAh | 5,200 mAh |
| Weight | 280 g | 256 g |
| Size | 199.2 x 78.5 x 15.6 mm | 153 x 86.3 x 18 mm |
| Analog sticks | Double, symmetrical | Double, asymmetrical |
| Hall effect sticks | Yes | Yes |
| L2 and R2 | Yes, stacked | Yes, stacked |
| Analog triggers | Yes | Yes |
| Wi-Fi | Yes | Yes |
| Video out | Yes | Yes |
| Headphone jack | Yes | Yes |
Green marks the better value where one is clearly better. Prices are launch prices.
Emulation
- Retroid Pocket 5RG Cube
- Game Boy
- NES
- Genesis
- GBA
- SNES
- PS1
- DS
- N64
- Dreamcast
- PSP
- Saturn
- GameCube
- 3DS
- Wii
- PS2
- Switch
- Wii U
- PS3
100 means the system runs at full speed with no known issues.
Full details
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More comparisons
Why this pair: buyers weigh these two against each other. 41 comments by 31 different people compare them in community discussions. Specs, emulation scores and launch prices from the retrocatalog.com handheld database.