The main difference between the RG-503 and the RG-552 is the software.
The RG-503 runs Linux, the RG-552 runs Android or Linux.
Other differences
- The RG-503 has an OLED screen with true blacks; the RG-552 uses an IPS panel.
- The RG-552 carries a 6,400 mAh battery, the RG-503 3,500 mAh.
- The RG-503 runs on the RockChip RK3566, the RG-552 on the RockChip RK3399.
Which is better
Which fits in a pocket better?
TieAbout the same size: RG-503 190 x 84 x 21 mm, 236 g, RG-552 198.1 x 85.6 x 20 mm, 362 g. Neither fits a jeans pocket; think jacket pocket or bag.
Which is better for PS2 games, the RG-503 or the RG-552?
NeitherNeither is built for PS2. They score 10 and 20 out of 100.
Which costs less?
RG-503The RG-503, at about $140 at launch against $200. Prices today vary by store and the used market.
Which is better for GBA games?
RG-552The RG-552. GBA games fill 85% of the RG-552's screen at 7x with even pixels, against 66% of the RG-503's screen at 3x.
Which has the bigger battery?
RG-552The RG-552, at 6,400 mAh against 3,500 mAh. That is capacity only: the chips differ, and the heavier the system you play, the faster either one drains.
Side by side
| RG-503 | RG-552 | |
|---|---|---|
| Launch price | $140 | $200 |
| Released | Apr 2022 | Dec 2021 |
| Plays well up to | Dreamcast | PSP |
| Shape | Horizontal | Horizontal |
| Software | Linux | Android or Linux |
| Chip | RockChip RK3566 | RockChip RK3399 |
| Memory | 1 GB | 4 GB |
| Screen | 4.95 inch OLED 16:9 | 5.36 inch IPS 5:3 |
| Resolution | 960 × 544 | 1920 x 1152 |
| Battery | 3,500 mAh | 6,400 mAh |
| Weight | 236 g | 362 g |
| Size | 190 x 84 x 21 mm | 198.1 x 85.6 x 20 mm |
| Analog sticks | Double, symmetrical | Double, symmetrical |
| L2 and R2 | Yes, side by side | Yes, side by side |
| 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-503RG-552
- Game Boy
- NES
- Genesis
- GBA
- SNES
- PS1
- DS
- N64
- Dreamcast
- PSP
- Saturn
- GameCube
- 3DS
- Wii
- PS2
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. 37 comments by 25 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.