The main difference between the RG-406V and the RG-556 is the shape.
The RG-406V is a vertical, Game Boy shaped, the RG-556 is a horizontal.
Other differences
- The RG-406V has a 4:3 screen and the RG-556 a 16:9 one, so different systems fill each.
- The RG-556 has an AMOLED screen with true blacks; the RG-406V uses an IPS panel.
- The RG-556 has a 5.48 inch screen against 4.0 inches on the RG-406V.
Which is better
Which fits in a pocket better?
RG-556The RG-556 (223 x 90 x 15-25 mm, 331 g). The RG-406V is 105 x 145 x 29 mm, 289 g. Neither fits a jeans pocket; think jacket pocket or bag.
Which is better for PS2 games, the RG-406V or the RG-556?
TieAbout the same: 78 and 74 out of 100. Its L1 and L2 sit side by side; the RG-556 stacks them like a PS2 pad.
Which costs less?
RG-406VThe RG-406V, at about $155 at launch against $175. Prices today vary by store and the used market.
Which is better for GBA games?
RG-406VThe RG-406V. GBA games fill 89% of the RG-406V's screen at 4x with even pixels, against 67% of the RG-556's screen at 6x.
Which has the bigger battery?
TieAbout the same: 5,500 and 5,500 mAh.
Side by side
| RG-406V | RG-556 | |
|---|---|---|
| Launch price | $155 | $175 |
| Released | Sep 2024 | Mar 2024 |
| Plays well up to | Wii | Wii |
| Shape | Vertical | Horizontal |
| Software | Android | Android |
| Chip | UNISOC Tiger T820 | UNISOC Tiger T820 |
| Memory | 8 GB | 8 GB |
| Screen | 4.0 inch IPS 4:3 | 5.48 inch AMOLED 16:9 |
| Resolution | 960 x 720 | 1920 x 1080 |
| Battery | 5,500 mAh | 5,500 mAh |
| Weight | 289 g | 331 g |
| Size | 105 x 145 x 29 mm | 223 x 90 x 15-25 mm |
| Analog sticks | Double, symmetrical | Double, asymmetrical |
| Hall effect sticks | Yes | Yes |
| L2 and R2 | Yes, side by side | Yes, stacked |
| Analog triggers | ? | 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
- RG-406VRG-556
- Game Boy
- NES
- Genesis
- GBA
- SNES
- PS1
- DS
- N64
- Dreamcast
- PSP
- Saturn
- GameCube
- 3DS
- Wii
- PS2
- Switch
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. 31 comments by 21 different people compare them in community discussions, and 4 post titles name both. Specs, emulation scores and launch prices from the retrocatalog.com handheld database.