Choosing between RG DS and RG DS Plus? Start with how you want to play. RG DS offers Android support and a smaller body. RG DS Plus gives you larger, higher-resolution screens, a Linux interface designed for dual-screen use, and a stylus that stores inside the handheld. Here’s what to consider before you choose.
Two Takes on Dual-Screen Play
| Feature | RG DS Plus | RG DS |
|---|---|---|
| Displays | Two 4.3-inch IPS screens | Two 4.0-inch IPS screens |
| Resolution per screen | 1024 × 768 | 640 × 480 |
| Operating system | Linux | Android 14; Linux configurations also available |
| RAM | 1 GB | 3 GB |
| Body dimensions | 167 × 96 × 24 mm | 160 × 91 × 21.5 mm |
| Processor | RK3568, quad-core Cortex-A55, up to 2.0 GHz | RK3568, quad-core Cortex-A55, up to 2.0 GHz |
| Joystick layout | One left stick | Left and right sticks |
| Capacitive stylus | Included, with storage inside the body | Included |
Old Favorites, a Bigger View
For players who spend most of their time with dual-screen games, the displays are the clearest reason to consider RG DS Plus. Each screen measures 4.3 inches and has a resolution of 1024 × 768, compared with 4.0 inches and 640 × 480 on RG DS.
For a 256 × 192 image, the Plus panel provides an exact 4× scale in both directions. The same image fills an RG DS panel at 2.5× in each direction. That makes the Plus resolution a natural fit for integer scaling. The final appearance still depends on the emulator and display settings; the screen resolution alone does not tell you how fast a game will run.
Choose RG DS Plus if a larger viewing area is high on your list. RG DS remains a sensible choice if you are comfortable with 4.0-inch screens and prefer a smaller handheld.
A Familiar Way to Play
If Android apps or compatible Android games are part of your plans, RG DS is the model to consider. It is listed with Android 14 and 3 GB of RAM. ANBERNIC also offers RG DS configurations with a Linux card, so choosing the original does not mean giving up Linux.
RG DS Plus is specified with Linux and 1 GB of RAM. Its interface is organized around dual-screen gaming, with menus for browsing games and adjusting display settings. Choose it if this focused setup matches your needs. When choosing between the two, consider the memory configuration alongside your preferred system and the games and apps you use most.
RG DS Plus, Up Close
Different Details, Familiar Fun
RG DS Plus pairs newly molded acoustic chambers with smart digital Class-K amplifiers. Its D-pad and ABXY buttons use metal domes, while its function and shoulder buttons use microswitches. Both models offer stepless hinge positioning; the redesigned dual alloy hinges on the Plus support 15°–180° positioning, with a focus on improving the opening and closing feel.
A stylus carried separately can be set down, forgotten, or misplaced. RG DS Plus stores its capacitive stylus inside the body, with a shaped cap that engages the slot to help keep it in place. By refining the alloy hinge structure and giving the pen a home, ANBERNIC has focused on the everyday details of opening, closing, and carrying a handheld—keeping the pen and console together for your next session.
For players who value Android apps, right-stick controls, and a compact handheld, RG DS remains an appealing choice. RG DS Plus focuses on dual-screen and touch-based play, with independent screen brightness, display switching, and emulator features such as 76 shader options and save states.
Whether you prefer the Android flexibility and dual-stick controls of RG DS or the larger screens and built-in stylus storage of RG DS Plus, the best choice is the one that fits the way you play. From screens and controls to hinges and stylus storage, ANBERNIC’s attention to detail brings a fresh touch to familiar games and a more natural feel to everyday play.
