Retroid Pocket 5 vs AYN Odin 2 Mini: is $129 too much more?

[@adinwalls]

I never spoke about aesthetics here. I know this will be a fairly contentious issue, but I think the Odin 2 mini is way better looking. What do you think?

[@wolfwangdelosmonteros7134]

Agree

[@sarahdaviscc]

Oh no, the bezel-less screen of the RP5 makes that device look way better to me.

[@Time-Travelling-Lesbian]

RP5 all the way, the sleek edge to edge screen with zero bezels and all glass front make it look so nice, the game cube color version especially is beautiful

[@4leafclover243]

But almost the price is a hard pill to swallow

[@articex]

The rp5 is ugly as hell.

[@deliciouslunch]

Wow, you somehow made a video targeted at exactly my "dilemma". I can't tell you how nice it is to find a direct comparison between these two devices like this.

[@amaurytorres9978]

I’m also torn between these 2 for my first retro handheld. Just curious, which are you leaning more towards?

[@adinwalls]

I'm so glad!

[@adinwalls]

Hey man, if you have the money, get the Odin 2 mini. Especially if you like a beautiful design.

[@Stunnax757]

@@amaurytorres9978 I have the Odin mini and the retroid mini, I looooove the retroid OLED but the power and comfort of the Odin are what win me over, easily.

[@Stunnax757]

​@@adinwallsas a fellow Odin 2 mini lover, if you didn't already have review units, could you see yourself purchasing the RP5 with your own money despite already owning the Odin 2 mini?

[@Guitario666]

I think the difference in price between the two is huge. $120 usd is $170 in my currency. This puts the mini in a totally different price range.

[@bobthegreat_7002]

Yeah, in canada it’s $290 vs $450 between the two.

[@adinwalls]

Yes this is true. But I know alot of people are sitting on the fence with these two leading into Christmas.

[@Guitario666]

@adinwalls good point.

[@BenuraSlingra]

Yep this goes from expensive handheld to luxury splurge handheld.

[@Holy_Bible_Reads_Ai]

@@adinwalls​​⁠I really think you should compare the RP5 vs Odin 2 standard. IMO those were the 2 I was debating for my first handheld. I went with the Odin 2 for the upgraded snapdragon Chip, CPU, GPU, Battery life, ergonomic button layout, slight larger size/ screen, and upgraded emulation power for $100 more.

[@sandplasma]

I preordered the RP5 and sold the RP4 Pro. Didnt even use the pro much. I need one device to keep and use so i can sell all others. The more you have the less you use them.

[@DCoop-uo2wq]

Why do you think you will play the rp5 more than you did the 4 pro?

[@sandplasma]

@DCoop-uo2wq ill be selling everything else, just keeping this one.

[@pleasuretokill]

​@@sandplasmauntil the RP5 Pro comes out.... but... I get it. Why not always have the best?

[@citruesilver]

So very true...

[@DCoop-uo2wq]

@@sandplasma what other devices do you have out of curiosity?

[@Stevanvel]

For that price difference I ordered Retroid Dock, extra buttons and carrying case. I also purchased usb c to hdmi cable and sd card. This is my first handheld retro emulation device and it checks everything I need. I'll also use it to stream my PC games on to my living room TV.

[@adinwalls]

I'm sure you'll love it!!

[@solidust573]

All of these reviewers might not realize it but these reviewers are collectively designing the next generation of Retroids. By this time next year we could see the perfect price/performance retro handheld.

[@mechanicalmonk2020]

That target will never be hit because it's always moving. RP5 is already fantastic

[@chrismckenna6183]

They say that every year 😂

[@solidust573]

@mechanicalmonk2020 I agree 100% I'm so Impressed with the RP5 that I decided to preorder it a week ago. Right now it's the best bang for the buck next to the RpMini

[@TheRealAlpha2]

The bottle neck will always be Android, you can keep throwing power at the problem, but at the end of the day the emulation development has to move forward or it's just a waste. While the Linux stuff is still early, it's early and good so I can imagine it getting better because that power will potentially be doing something more than overcoming lagging development.

[@pwnswoggle]

The business model of these companies is to never have a perfect handheld so that people keep buying/collecting them. That's why all these dorks have youtube channels and like 50 handhelds in the background

[@fullsend4976]

I think that’s why I ultimately decided on the RP5 instead of the Odin 2 and Odin Portal. Between its handheld size, OLED screen, cheaper price, ability to still play some lightweight switch games, and comfortability. I already have a switch, so no need to emulate it

[@SicketMog]

Probably not a bad choice. I JUST got a RP4P AND an Odin 2 Max (both for a steal of a price) but otherwise would've gone for the RP5. D-pad on top for the lightweight stuff, that beauty of a screen, would like better Switch emulation.

[@NickBaysingar]

I think the main deciding factor is gonna be how important Switch emulation is for you. The Odin 2 Mini can handle quite a bit more than the Retroid Pocket 5 when it comes to Switch. That being said, the black RP5 in particular has a nice "bonus feature" thanks to the OLED screen and its bezel-less design. Letterboxes blend in seamlessly with the front of the device, which just looks really slick. We haven't really seen this on any other retro handheld until now and I think it's a great feature that I really want to see on more devices going forward. In fact, I think the black Odin 2 Portal will be this way since it shares many of the same design elements as the RP5. If you don't really care about the bezel-less design though, then I still think the O2M's mini LED display is fantastic. The vignetting/gradient and bloom everyone likes to bring up is something I have never actually noticed while gaming. The only way I really notice it is if I crank the brightness up beyond necessary levels and go looking for it. Now...is it as good as OLED? No. But I would say it's like 85% of the way there from an IPS LCD, which is damn good in my books.

[@adinwalls]

Hey. Okay so you're an Odin 2 mini owner? I also enjoy the extra power on 3DS games.

[@ekinteko]

​@@adinwalls One thing I will point out is the overall experience. Something like the Retroid Pocket 2S or 5 Mini, should be small enough to grab with your keys, wallet, and phone and rush out the door. It should fit into your pocket and be comfortable. Then be useful outdoors. The Retroid Pocket 3 was already stretching the limits of size. And it's slowly creeped up to the Retroid Pocket 5 and the AYN Odin2 Mini. If you cannot slide these in your pockets, then you cannot take them outdoors with you, which means they are not the same device we thought them to be. They are something different, in a new category. Something that you would have to carry in a backpack, which is inconvenient and not always possible, making it a deliberate choice. So then why settle. This opens up the option to bring many other devices instead. Arguably the Retroid Pocket 5 is a bad experience when compared to the large AYN Odin2, and the even larger Valve SteamDeck. And all three are the same size: backpack category. It's just the Valve unit is far more capable, and much more comfortable.

[@ekinteko]

​@@adinwalls Ideally, if I had to design the next Retroid Pocket 6, here is how I would do it: USD $300 QC 7g2+, 16GB, 256GB, 4000mAh 200 grams 180mm x 80mm x 15mm 5.0 inch screen, 16:9 ratio, 1080p AMOLED Horizontal Layout It is a mostly boxy design, like the Anbernic RG 405M. Construction is Matte Plastic for the Retro Feel. Scratch Resistant, Grippy, and doesn't smidge from fingerprints. Left and Right sides are flush empty Bottom side has microHDMI, USB-C, 3.5mm jack, there's also a little lanyard hole on either side for left or right handed users. Top side has inline shoulder buttons, power button, volume rocker, slider, and the other inline shoulder buttons. Inline shoulder buttons are superior to Stacked shoulder pads because they do a good enough job, while making the device significantly sleeker and easier to pocket Front of the device has the screen in centre, no bezels Left side has the joystick up top Left speaker Back and Home buttons Then 4 Action Buttons at bottom Right side has the right joystick above Then the right speaker Then Start and Select buttons Then 4 Action Buttons down below ....this design is very comfortable for playing 3D Games, as the joysticks and shoulder buttons are the primary input. And the highest action button on both sides are okay to reach. But the other three buttons on either side are difficult and uncomfortable to press, but are do-able, and fine if the game doesn't require them to be used very often. But what if you wanted to play a 2D Game. That's where Kangal genius comes into play. You hit the slider on the top. It flips the screen 180' It also flips the speakers left/right It also flips the orientation of the joysticks (so up is now down, and the left one is the right one, etc etc) It also flips the Action Buttons. All the buttons and everything can be configured in the Settings. In addition, you can open up the device and replace the buttons. You can have two sets of Action Buttons, or even two sets of D-Pads, or have the D-Pad on the right side. It is customisable. Also the joystick caps can be removed, and replaced with short travel or long travel arms. And with concave or convex heads. All these extra buttons will be in the box, as well as two lanyard straps, and even a basic plastic holder/dock, cable, and fast charger. It is ready for gifting. Now the back of the device is mostly flush. It does have the logo. There is no Active Fans, it's just a modest device, with excellent Passive Cooling instead so that it stays cool and silent The back cover does come off. From there you have a User Removable Battery, and can essentially double or triple the battery life by carrying these small batteries in your pocket. Inside you can access the microSD slot. You also can access the screws which holds the housing together, so it is very user friendly and serviceable. Like all the other devices, this is not water resistant (IP68) but it is rather splash resistant (IP56). And this particular design means it will be the best device money can buy for many years. All subsequent devices will have less battery life, since they can't hot-swap. And due to how serviceable this is, it will last the distance. The specs are smart enough to keep the costs down, but beefy enough to emulate from Atari upto Wii, Xbox, PS Vita, and NSwitch. And maybe some Windows XP emulation. It won't be able to do 360, PS3, WiiU, PS4, or Windows 7/10 Games. Those systems are better experienced on an x86 device that is larger and portable, like the Steam Deck OLED or ROG Ally X.

[@NickBaysingar]

@@adinwalls I can definitely see that being another selling point. Me personally, I typically don't find DS/3DS emulation to be a great experience on smaller 16:9 displays, outside of titles that didn't rely on both screens too much. But that's obviously not the O2M's fault. I kind of hope one of these companies releases a new clam shell dual screen device at some point, since we only have like 2 or 3 of them right now...and one of them is an enormous block that is prohibitively expensive. Anyway, the extra horsepower is undoubtedly the main thing that sets the O2M apart from the RP5, and that benefit is going to manifest in multiple ways, as you pointed out. I just think Switch emulation would probably be the main deciding factor for a lot of people.

[@jordanrayo2425]

@@NickBaysingar I found my LG G8X & V50s with a Dualscreen to be the best with nds and 3ds. It can play GameCube Wii ps2 ps1 psp switch, & because it’s android I still have access to android games and the dual screen is perfect for both NDS & 3DS it looks amazing with the P Oled Screen😅 You can find them new for $150-200 dollars beats buying the rp5

[@TheRealAlpha2]

Beyond a certain price point Android stops being cost effective for emulation without a shake up in development. The RP5 is not quiet at that point and still fairly decent value for what it can do reliably. When you started getting into Odin pricing I start thinking "okay, a Steamdeck LCD is large but..." for portability and price the RP5 is winning for over in the value category, and I will always prefer Dpad on top, Period.

[@RaduPNT]

Ok I understand, I need to wait for Retroid Pocket 6, thx for the video.

[@SavingPrivateBob]

Retroid produce the most beautiful handhelds, but I'm still waiting on the next gen like you. I feel like RP10 will be enough to satisfy me 😂

[@RaduPNT]

@@SavingPrivateBob C'mon, don't need it in my 80 😅

[@sigerlion8608]

Exactly. I'll wait until an RP can play PS3 games LOL

[@RaduPNT]

@@sigerlion8608 Whaaaaat?! 🤣🤣🤣

[@Blobberoni]

RP5 for me. Hoping for a 6" OLED Odin 3 next year. I also agree about the grip, I hope they make one like the 4pro has. Etsy will probably have it covered if not.

[@adinwalls]

The Ayn Portal is essentially the Odin 2 with a bigger and nicer screen for streaming.

[@Chenyuan0925]

Have been waiting for this comparison video for a while before Black Friday and it seems you are the first one to do it, thanks.

[@adinwalls]

Hey man. There's a lot more to discuss than in my video and I'm testing these two alot so if you have any questions let me know.

[@pambarth3183]

Your videos are always so insightful. Thank you for your honesty.

[@adinwalls]

Thanks man I am trying.

[@LuisCassih]

RP5 screen looks really nice, I like the bezel-less design. But the PS Vita inspired design of the Odin 2 Mini is so attractive for me, I love the PS Vita.

[@adinwalls]

Yes the design makes it extra special

[@toycoma98]

I wish they did the odin 2 mini with no bezels. I dont like the bezels, but love the design

[@juizy_media]

By next year, new model should be better, would buy new odin 3 mini in a heartbeat

[@LuisCassih]

@@juizy_media yeah, I'm going to wait a little bit more, I hope they still keep the psvita design.

[@SiriusSdz]

Preordered the Odin 2 Mini Pro and it is my main Emulation Handheld for almost everything. Feels good to have so much power in such a small, comfortable device.

[@adinwalls]

Ah man, it's great isn't it? All I want now is Steam for Android and I'm a happy camper.

[@rrahll]

Thanks! This is was my question before I start searching reviews in the KZbin. Liked and subscribed!

[@adinwalls]

Thank you!

[@bassderek]

I love how clean and modern your studio space looks... I need to work on improving my cramped little corner studio.

[@adinwalls]

Hey thanks. I'm fortunate that I had this space available before the channel started growing. I never did much. Just bought the fake plant and put a few ornaments I like on the shelf... And a photo of my beloved dog...

[@thewebsiteisdown7720]

I agree with a lot of what you're saying, but with Retroid you're always chasing the next device. If you bought a 4 Pro, even if you sell it, after the cost of a 5 you could have just bought an Odin 2 model. The Odin (2, Mini, Portal) is only limited by the emulator vs the Retroid which is limited on specs and usually has build quality issues.

[@adinwalls]

Very good point

[@rtzgf67games7]

It’s a fair point for sure, but I think it’s not really necessary to buy the new device every time. If you don’t need the improvements then don’t buy it. Many people are content with their purchase. Though if you don’t need the sell your old device, then the odins certainly seem more worth it

[@rtzgf67games7]

**If you don’t need your old device Don’t know what I did there haha

[@Walfie_]

Thank you for this video! I was literally trying to decide which one of these to get. I got the odin 2 mini coming in tomorrow and I was still debating between it and RP5.

[@adinwalls]

Hehe. I think you made the right choice. Honestly either is great.

[@Spongegoose]

The nice thing about the Odin 2 Mini for me is it just fits in my pocket. The length can dig a bit into my hip but if I tilt it, there's no issues. I find length to be a bigger issue with these devices for pocketability.

[@adinwalls]

And the RP5 is even longer!

[@leemacklin2948]

The video we've wanted! Thanks!

[@adinwalls]

Thank YOU 👍

[@JJZZ-b6l]

The comparison we need. Thank you for making this.

[@brandongabel]

Great stuff, this is the kind of comparison we need! I was considering selling my life for the Odin 2 mini right after I got the 4 Pro about 6 months ago, but ultimately couldn’t justify the price. Plus, I didn’t care about Switch emulation which was really the deciding factor. Now the 5, that’s a totally different story. The slight performance bump is nice, but I’m more interested in how incredible the OLED screen is, and the fact that it’s basically the same form factor with almost a full inch bigger of a screen at such a small boost in price from the 4 Pro. Factor in the better battery once Retroid fix the software issues, and I’d say upgrading is well worth it. I did the same for the Steam Deck OLED when it came out and it was one of the best decisions I’ve ever made, so I have a feeling this will be the same.

[@adinwalls]

Streaming my Steam game on the RP5 has been really nice. The screen is lovely.

[@Synplex]

Honestly, I have too many of these handheld including the Odin 1 and 2, 3 Analog pockets, and retroid pocket 4 Pro. I'll just tell anyone that's thinking about getting the more powerful Odin 2 mini has to understand that it is not fun to play those console level games meant for TV on a screen smaller than 5 inches. I would just get the retro pocket 5 and save the money.

[@oOTheMastaOo240]

The RP5 would've been an easy pick if it had the left stick on top. Such a major flaw imo

[@Kevin-Schmevin]

THIS is the video comparison I was waiting for

[@adinwalls]

You're welcome! 😀

[@ThibaultCabanas]

I like that you quote the RG556 at the very end! I was seriously considering the RP5, but when I get back my 556 in my hand I though "man, it’s SO COMFORTABLE, there is no way I could go down" 🙃 Plus the screen is nearly on par with the RP5 one, and I don’t really nead to play anything upper than Gamecube anyway. So never saying never but I think I can wait a bit more 😂

[@adinwalls]

Good call! And now imagine the 556 with Snapdragon and better sticks. You'll be in heaven.

[@catwoe5707]

Can I say I love your intro sequence? Gets me hyped for the rest of the video! Hello from Greece

[@adinwalls]

Yeeha! My friend just visited Greece 💙

[@Omgtired]

Now we need RP5 vs RG406H comparison! really on the ropes what to pick up for the holiday season!

[@adinwalls]

Hey man. Ooooh that's a tough one for other reasons. Was just thinking this morning, I would love a 4:3 RP5 haha. With the new joystick the RG406H is such a great device. But emulating things like WiiU on the RP5 is great and probably wins the race between the two.

[@Omgtired]

@adinwalls I see, thanks for the video and the reply. Well, I guess I am going to wait and see what are the prices in my country. Rp5 looks sexy aswell

[@rodrigofrancis5598]

Não sei se ajuda, mas eu estou realmente certo em pegar o RG 406H, pois ele terá algo que faz dele único, que é a tela 4:3, com isso você terá muito mais compatibilidade com os games retror. É uma boa potência para jogá-los. Eu atualmente uso um S23 Ultra e gamepad, que me dá a sensação de estar com um portátil com tela 16:9. Por isso quero tanto o 406H.

[@B1ackLeo]

This is what I wanted! So many others missed this opportunity to compare. I know the Odin 2 mini has more power under the hood, but so what... DEATH BATTLE!!!

[@adinwalls]

Haha yup

[@tappersreviews4677]

I’m getting a RP5. Since owning my SD OLED I can’t go back to lesser displays. But, an Odin Mini OLED next year could interest me.

[@adinwalls]

The perfect SD companion!

[@xblindx]

I agree with your assessment My personal “quibble“ or nitpick with the retroid 5 is ironically, it’s TOO premium feeling. I know a lot of people will disagree but i feel like the piano black aesthetics are reserved for premium devices (phones?) growing up, consoles felt plasticky BUT durable. I liked the feel of retroid pocket 4 even if its ergonomics were less than ideal and the screen wasn’t as big as i would have liked I don’t like the feeling of having to baby my handheld console and wiping smudges to make it look pristine. Give me a premium bezel-less / minimum bezel screen and matte plastic the rest of it IMO

[@adinwalls]

I'm with you. There are some complaints that the Retroid Pocket 4 felt like a toy (which it is!) but I loved the plastic and the wacky options. I like the new design but I am going to miss the old aesthetic.

[@rfbthree]

Seems to me like the devices are almost equally good if they were both $220, problem is they're not even close to the same price. Odin 2 Mini: Better Processor (affects few games), better joysticks Retroid Pocket 5: Better Screen, Better OS options Toss Up: Button & stick placement, Ergonomics, size, overall quality

[@Smoje79]

The big downsize of OD2 Mini is that 5'' screen especially after having the RP4+ with 4,7''... the ideal product should be the RP5 exterior with screen and all the inside of the Mini (ram, processor and some components)

[@adinwalls]

I really don't notice the screen size that much. Even though it is a considerable difference. I notice it more moving from the Retroid Pocket Mini to the Anbernic RG405m

[@SomeRand0omDood]

I'm glad now I never got the Odin 2 mini. I already have an Odin 2 and a Retroid Pocket 5 on the way just purely on the merit of it's value. If I want to play any newer retro systems I can use my Odin 2 and everything else on the RP5. I really wanna run the RP5 through its paces on Steam Link and some heavier Android gaming. Everything I've seen so far looks excellent.

[@adinwalls]

In your use case the Odin 2 mini wouldn't make sense at all. I think the RP5 will be a nice addition to your ecosystem.

[@dbozgt]

I'm happy with my Retroid Pocket mini. I don't need anything else for like 1-2 years.

[@adinwalls]

Call me in 2 months haha. Just kidding. I do think the mini is alot of people's endgame device.

[@blakeandcamp]

RP5 is just better value. If you're going to pay that much for a Odin 2 Mini, you may as well just get a full Odin 2. If someone has a Steam Deck or ROG Ally X already, then the RP5 makes a lot more sense at the price point as a secondary device. I have an OLED SD, RG35XX SP, and an Analogue Pocket and I'm getting a RP5 because it fills the portability / power gap for me. SD is too big to lug around, SP is great as a portable device but caps out at PS1/DC/N64, and the Analogue Pocket is too fragile to really bring on the go (love it for GBC games though). RP5 is near perfect for portable emulation. If it had a bit more juice to reliably do Switch exclusives with no problem then it'd be perfect for me, but I have my SD for that so it's fine.

[@adinwalls]

But the mini is so BEAUTIFUL! 😆

[@odkKoma]

Looking at how competitive the devices have become, I‘m waiting for another round. E.g. ODIN2mini with OLED or RP5 with better chip and button layout

[@M_CFV]

Odin 3 mini would be really good, snapdragon 8 gen 3 already is making rounds with Winlator performance. Cant imagine gen 4

[@MithosDagon]

Yep, I have the Odin 2 Mini Pro and love it, but also wish it was OLED

[@GoblinSlosher]

Part of me wishes I could trade my Odin 2 Mini for the RP5. Solely for the GameCube colorway. But I'm holding on to that performance jump. Also lemme tell you, the Mini Led screen is fantastic. Colors look so vibrant!

[@adinwalls]

Ya man. I really like the Odin 2 mini

[@nERVEcenter117]

As it is I'm already perfectly okay with running 480p consoles at 2x with anti-aliasing on my Odin 2, so I'm not sure these super- and hyper-sampling resolutions really mean much to me. Maybe Retroid will do a Pro version down the like and shove a newer Snapdragon chip in there, but I'm not sweating in anticipation. The screen and industrial design of the RP5 just seem better in every way.

[@MrRunItUp]

So I'm pretty sure Retroid announced that they won't be releasing a pro model of the RP5, but I'm sure the RP6 will have a better chipset

[@101wonderment]

i value weight so much, hence why i picked the RP5 instead! thanks for the comparison

[@adinwalls]

Yes this was a bit more of a relaxed video but I do the weights in my first look vid.

[@jonathanmatthew5451]

Great comparison. Ultimately I ordered an RP5 for at work/on the go. And an Odin2 Portal for home streaming, docked, and longer travel. I don't need or really care for switch emulation on a device with smaller screen & battery anyways. And I need stick up top for most streaming. I don't think the Odin2 mini is worth the extra $$$ compared to the RP5 especially with the amoled screen. RP5 really shaping up to be a near perfect all-around device. Can't wait to see what the odin 3/mini specs are

[@CaliforniaRaisens]

I had the Odin 1 which had the same snapdragon CPU as the Retroid Pocket 5 and I got the Odin 2 at launch. The jump in performance is huge, games like F-Zero on GC and Burnout 3 which struggled on the Odin 1 runs like a dream on Odin 2. I assure anyone who gets Retroid Pocket 5 that they will run into a lot of PS2 games especially that won't run properly and wishing it had more power.

[@adinwalls]

Thank you! I've had people in the comments contest that fact 😆

[@ModeMan101]

I think you're right that so long as it's within your budget then the Odin is the better all-round choice, particularly when it comes to performance. I currently just have a RP3+, which I got at the beginning of last year. Most of my handheld gaming is PS1/PSP and below, so it suits me just fine. I am holding out for something sub-$250 (US) that can emulate the majority of PS2 titles without too much effort or tweaking - I was hoping the RP5 might have been it, but it doesn't sound like it's quite there yet. So until the Odin 2 gets a hefty price drop, I'm sticking with what I've got.

[@Frank-os6gq]

Just curious whats your favorite windows handheld right now? Kinda like the Odin 2 equivalent in that higher device category

[@vinardo88]

In my country RP5 is almost half the price of the Odin. While I wanted the Odin, I can't justify almost double the price

[@JuanPerez-hy3kt]

I dont buy things over 300e from overseas, last time I did was for the Odin 1 and had to pay like 50% extra on import duties. Even ignoring that, being able to run linux is a big plus for me, I hope the market moves there eventually so I am willing to support it.

[@jqweary]

That RP5 screen just gleaming in the lights 😂😎

[@dadou193]

11:26 any further details on running XBOX on the Retroid 5? How does it work? And when can we expect the xbox performance to improve ? Thanks guys

[@adinwalls]

Nothing yet. There's so much to create content about!

[@Edwinschuur]

People who only focus on price and chip dont understand the target market. Not everyone wants the best chip. When you want to play up to PS2 and GC and wait for next gen till Wii U and Switch run perfectlty then RP5 is a lot better. Many people dont care about anything past 3X. But better comfort, buttons and a nice screen do make a difference.

[@adinwalls]

Not sure what your comment is saying exactly, but yes the Odin 2 mini offers more than a more powerful chips, it's better designed, better built, more powerful and more comfortable to hold.

[@Edwinschuur]

@adinwalls TBH haven't used the device myself. But thusfar every reviewer I watched said the RP5 was more comfortable to hold with the training, the better sticks and the grips on the back. Battery life seems better and of course the screen quality, both in screen itself and seamless bezels in black. On the other hand I can imagine a lot of that is also subjective to the user. Especially ergonomics. My main point is that a lot of people only compare the price and what It can run or at how many X resolution. I wanted to point out that other factors like battery, screen and ergonomics are just as important.

[@ReallyNotTrixYT]

As Joey Retro Handheld's showed recently, games that run badly with PS2 emulation in general - like The Getaway - won't run well on either device. So in some cases throwing more power at it won't make those games playable

[@bamik89]

Actually you need to use pal version to run the getaway

[@adinwalls]

This is true for some games but the overall experience is that more power equals better performance across the board.

[@ReallyNotTrixYT]

@@adinwalls Tbf, it may run better with EtherealSX2 - and it may run worse. We'll have to see soon >.>

[@pillowgood1318]

@@ReallyNotTrixYT OH don't get me started. I got into a feud with "The Getaway", trying to run it on various handheld. It stuttered on all of them. I eventually got on my Onexplayer that can boost clock up to 5hgz and it ran, but grudgingly.

[@Dalmatinac3]

Playing most switch games on my odin 2 mini. So glad i got it.

[@skullboy4293]

I have a silly question, do you use a screen protector for rp5? Is it useful or can we do without it?

[@adinwalls]

Hey there. I ordered a bunch of accessories but they generally only have those ready a bit later. So unfortunately you'll have to wait if you want a review of that. I also ordered a backplate for the rp5, the back cover for the mini and replacement buttons for the mini because I really want that Famicom red in my life haha.

[@FadedBlackout67]

Literally the same dilemma I’ve been having ever since the RP5 was announced I’m gonna wait and see if there’s any price drops for the mini 2 pro once the Odin 2 portal comes out, or hopefully they have a decent Black Friday/cyber Monday deal

[@MetroHuman]

Awesome comparison! How would you rate the speakers/audio quality between the two? 🙂

[@adinwalls]

Hey there. I've been switching between the two alot since I got the 5 and while it's by a small amount, the Odin 2 mini seems to have better sound.

[@MetroHuman]

Thanks, that could be the deciding factor for me. The brighter screen (1100 nits) of the Odin 2 Mini is also appealing (the Retroid Pocket 5 allegedly has a 500 nits screen). Have you by chance compared the two devices outside/in the sun? 🌞

[@choonblaze]

Pocket 5's screen looks incredible in comparison though, side by side it looks like Odin devices are just old and outdated. Cpu performance isn't everything

[@jakledur]

It was the video i was looking for. So, i think i will order a Odin 2 Mini, it has everything i'm looking for in this kind of device : the power to run almost everything, the form factor. The only thing that's bugging me is the Mini LED screen, maybe i'm a screen snob here, but the Mini would greatly benefit with an OLED screen. So i'm kinda torn between order one for christmas, or wait until AYN came up with an OLED version of the Mini, maybe next yaer i hope.

[@adinwalls]

Yes I don't know why they went with the MiniLED. Someone commented here that they don't even notice the vignetting. Personally I love the MiniLED screen. I just feel a sense of duty to be open about it in these vids.

[@mrredoficial]

Great comparison. Thank you.

[@adinwalls]

Thank YOU

[@LeoLiburon]

It might be me, but I decided to go tablet route at least for high power. im sure I'll buy more cause i have issues. I wanna say that even on a near 11-inch screen, 2x native on ps2 is perfectly fine. I could play Ratchet 3 at 5x native but if 2x is fine, I'll take battery life. It's also a point that not everyone can make the price jump. Many might be considering pushing the budget to get the pocket 5, let alone the Odin 2.

[@adinwalls]

Agreed. And admitting you have a problem is the first step 😂

[@afbecerra670]

Is there really a big performance/power difference between RP4pro and 5? You have to consider that RP just got the 4pro on sale and is 130 usd, taking that into account, would you still getting the 5 over the 4 pro?

[@adinwalls]

It's a very similar argument to Odin 2 mini vs RP5. How much power do you want? But given that great price the RP5pro wins... With a grip...

[@8bitutopia1954]

Thank you so much for making this video. This is EXACTLY my dilemma. After watching this, I feel safe now in deciding for the RP5. Its either the RP5, or the Odin 2 Mini. I know they’re technically in different price ranges, but their similar sizes do mean something to me. The RP5 is cheaper and has a better screen, but not as powerful and doesn’t have offset sticks (I don’t mind this though but others do). Meanwhile, the Odin 2 Mini is definitely more powerful, kinda futureproof since SD8 Gen 2 is Android endgame, and has an option for more RAM than the RP5, but its thicker, more expensive (especially the 12 gb RAM option) and has a worse and smaller screen. My use case is definitely mostly lower games I already play in my year and a half old Odin 1 Lite (yes I haven’t upgraded in a while), like 3DS, PSP, some PS2, lots of GBA and DS. Some Wii games and GC games too. But I do find myself wishing for more power since my Odin 1 Lite struggles to run Xenoblade 3DS, and I want to try Vita and Wii U if I ever get the chance. And yet, even though I know O2M can handle all those, I’m a snob when it comes to price, so that’s why I’m also considering the RP5. I also love playing Android games like WuWa and Arknights and FGO so a bigger screen is good for that but the O2M can run WuWa much better I think. And yet, I feel like the RP5’s power is enough for me. I don’t really need Switch emulation anyways since I have my own Switch, and while Vita and Wii U is fun, I think that’s more a problem with the software than hardware. My main use case is 3DS and PSP anyways, as well as some Android games. I feel like that is enough for me with the RP5. It being cheaper is a massive sway to me, even if the O2M is more powerful. So yeah, amazing video!

[@piodelgado2890]

I did that exactly the day I received my RP Mini. I was thinking, why should I get a 5.5" version of this same device when the Odin 2 Mini exists? Now I'm just waiting delivery.

[@piodelgado2890]

I might add, for everyone watching this video and reading my comment above. RPMini has more or less the same performance as the RP5 even with 2GB less of ram if you take into account that the RPMini is only rendering a 4:3 ratio instead of 16:9 Is Gamecube and PS2 emulation flawless? No There are still some hiccups here and there even at 1x resolution. If that still is a dealbreaker for you please get an Odin 2 instead. Sources: I already have an Odin 2 Max and an RPMini

[@joshuaniesen5531]

Okay, I have a surprise dilemma this black Friday. I was all set on the retroid Pocket 5 and that's what I wanted. I won a 100 dollar off coupon for Ayn for the Odin series in a drawing. I am now at a loss. Should I consider an Odin 2 or Odin mini over the RP5? I never looked into the Odin series due to price but now it is within reach. What does everyone think? I need to know by Dec 2nd! The base odin 2 mini base is the SAME price as the RP5 at discount please help!

[@adinwalls]

If you don't mind a large device, definitely go for the Odin 2

[@Catlight]

Agree 100% with your conclusion. Something I'm excited about though is once the Snapdragon X Elite laptops get official Linux drivers, the teams behind the Odin 2 / Mini Linux projects expect massive performance jumps and better support. Emulation will be amazing on Linux with the odins

[@rtzgf67games7]

What do you mean? Why would performance on the odins increase if x elite gets official drivers? Also isn't the 8gen2 already pretty well supported under freedreno?

[@luiscampos2789]

The point of having different option is to choose according to use. You want full retro, there are many under 100 usd. You want a little more power, 150 will get you there , but perfect ps2 is closer to the RP5 pricepoint and over... also.. at that ram you want to play android games, so you will be using more joystick centric games than dpad. I have a RG35xx sp for travelling (i dont put any psp or n64 games on that), an trimui smart pro if i want DS and some psp (I dont rellyy like the joysticks) And now, I be getting the RP5 with a grip that works as a cas/screen protector, and that will be all. Every time I check the odin2, I just feel at that prcepoint there is teamdeck of the next Switch 2 incoming... So.. there are uses for every machine, and that's why reviews and reviewers are important. Nice job!

[@marioneto50]

Hey Adin, great video! Your RP4P guide was really useful for me! I'm looking forward to you RP5 guide with Linux, as it sounds intimidating for me to do it all on my own! 👏🏻🤜🏼🤛🏼

[@adinwalls]

It's actually pretty easy I will get a vid going asap

[@MithosDagon]

I will wait for a RP5 Pro and see what chip and storage they use. I have and love my Odin 2 Mini Pro, but kinda wish it had an OLED screen (the Mini LED is not bad tho). I just like the extra power for running games with texture packs, and at higher resolutions

[@MGPDrawGames]

I thank you for the video, but can you let me know if the RP5 can play Kakarot on switch?

[@whammzy]

Just got my mini yesterday, it is now my endgame device!

[@adinwalls]

Ah I am happy for you! Are you going to get some XR glasses? THEN it's an end game device 😂 I can't help myself.

[@whammzy]

@ Ah maybe when i get an extra $250 lol

[@filamBboy]

@@adinwalls I got the odin 2 mini and the viture pro because of you and russ

[@SlakOffs]

@@adinwalls ah good to see a fellow tech enabler

[@DCoop-uo2wq]

No, you didn't. lol there's no endgame for these devices they're like cell phones, a new and better one comes out every year.

[@washuai]

I'm wondering rp mini vs odin 2 mini, cuz I really want pocketable. I really was disappointed with the rp 5, rp mini glass front design

[@adinwalls]

The Odin 2 mini is fairly pocketable but quite heavy. The RP Mini obviously wins in pocketability but that screen is quite small. But it is a really nice device. I like the glass front design but that's something you'll have to decide.

[@jeffro1005]

Have the Odin 2 pro, rp4 pro, Odin 2 mini, and ordered the rp5 for the OLED. Sold the mini 2 the screen wasn't that great for me. Selling the rp4 pro. Now show me a rp5 with a 8 gen 2 and it's an immediate buy for me. Which by seeing the new Odin portal it's more than likely going to happen from the sister company ayn.

[@Jaweatherford86]

I have the Odin 2 Mini and it's great, but I'm selling it and upgrading to the Odin 2 Portal, then getting the RP5 as my companion portable device.

[@Mou91BLN]

Dude! You are awesome! ❤ I love your personality etc. ✌🏻 Best regards from Berlin!

[@adinwalls]

Thank you. Hey I have a friend here from Dusseldorf 😊

[@Mou91BLN]

​​@@adinwalls Hey. Thats nice! Enjoy the time. 😁👌🏻 It's a cool city but not like Berlin 😂. You have to visit it some day. Stay like you are and your channel will grow. In my opinion you are one of the faces in this retro gaming universe. 👌🏻✌🏻

[@elemileTLDR]

I can only hope Retroid listen every reviewer this time and releases a 5 revision with left stick on top. Maybe next year.

[@Joostmhw]

dpad top is better; learn how to hold the device differently instead of cramping up your thumb...

[@sarahdaviscc]

I was so keen to buy an RP5 but I'm worried about the ergonomics :/ I think I'll hold off until the next gen.

[@adinwalls]

Why are you worried about the ergonomics?

[@sarahdaviscc]

Two things, the major one is that I'm worried that without much inserting of the joystick it'll be uncomfortable to use the D-Pad for extended periods. I'm also a little worried that games using both sticks might be hard to play as the balance/hold will be precarious.

[@glideslope69]

The boost in performance on the Odin is effectively useless. RP5 can play basically all PS2/GC at 1080p. There’s no point in rendering at a higher resolution than the screen. It’s not like the extra power of the Odin is enough to play PS3, etc. so in practice it doesn’t actually get you anything you don’t get with RP5

[@joycekoh3416]

@@glideslope69 it is not true, there are games such as sly 2, xenosaga 3, even at 1x resolution will struggle and face slowdown but odin 2 can handle them easily. android ps2 emulator not perfect but using 8 gen 2 odin2 can push the compatibility limit higher.

[@adinwalls]

Completely untrue. There is a considerable improvement in emulation.

[@captainthunderbolt7541]

If the Odin 2 Mini had a glass front it would be perfect. The Odin Mini chip is much more capable, so to people who need that power it will definitely be worth the money. I own the larger OG Odin 2, and I find myself preferring to play my black RP Mini, because the black glass front makes letterboxing disappear. Seriously. Ayn, get us a an Odin Mini with a black glass front!

[@Stunnax757]

I love my Odin 2 mini. The rp5 just makes me want the Odin 2 OLED mini more, and I WILL pay premium for it, I'll pay the amount more that I didn't spend to get the rp5.

[@adinwalls]

The Ayn portal is esentiall an Odin 2 OLED if you're interested

[@Stunnax757]

@adinwalls except it's closer to the size of a steam deck oled and ally, which I already have and also why the Odin mini has room to exist in my collection and that's the spot I want to be upgraded to OLED.

[@rillagoo]

I was debating the Odin 2 mini, but found a GPD Win 4 for $380 on Ali express. Obviously not a 1 for 1 but I’m up for trading the battery life for x86 power.

[@businessmike2371]

I would pick GPD at that price as well.

[@aurelios69]

For that price it has to be a scam

[@d0minant24]

Which APU on the Win4 did you get for that price? Easily would get a Win4 over an O2 Mini myself for that price.

[@Dashman98]

I would prefer an "RP5 mini" (not the RP mini). I mean a PSV 1000 like device in terms of esthetics, size, and feel. I like the Odin 2 mini (although it's more of a PSV 2000 like device) but the price and thermals are what hold me back. I am sure the next odin mini will probably do better, but i feel 200-250$ is perfect for devices like these on the more top-end side because any more than that then you might as well just get a steam deck

[@diszydreams]

Thanks for the vid! really good - gonna get the RP5 for my 10 year old kid :)

[@RickyFromVegas]

High stress battery test on RP5 lasts longer than Odin 2 Mini because Odin 2 Mini chipset uses way more power than RP5 at the highest level. SD865 isn't using anywhere near amount of wattage even at the maximum level, that's why the battery lasts longer on RP5. On Ayaneo Pocket S, you can adjust CPU/GPU frequencies to your liking, and when adjusting for similar amount of performance as RP5, Pocket S uses less than half the power it typically uses when just going max. I have my Pocket S adjusted to mimick SD865's performance, and can play pretty much everything like how RP5 would perform, and only toggle for higher frequencies when needing to play higher-end stuff, which, I honestly don't...haha. If Odin 2 Mini can adjust power settings like Pocket S can, I'm sure it'll get more battery life when adjusted to similar performance level as RP5

[@maxducoudray]

I feel like the performance advantage of the Odin 2 Mini is something of a red herring. Essentially it only matters for Switch emulation. There’s no other emulation on Android where the gap matters. Using your example, there’s no benefit to cranking PS2 to 5x resolution, so it doesn’t matter. IF Android gets other emulation options in the future (e.g. PS3 or Xbox), then the performance would matter more.

[@adinwalls]

WiiU, 3DS, Wii, GameCube, PS2 and Winlator all benefit from the 8gen2 chipset. My example was just a quick anecdotal indication of how much more power you're getting.

[@M_CFV]

@@adinwalls good clarification 👍

[@flatfeelings]

I have pretty big hands, so most of retro consoles (including og ps vita slim) feel really cramped. Even switch with hori pads takes a heavy tall on 30 minutes + gaming sessions on my fingers. Steamdeck is ideal, but I've always felt it's an overkill for emulation and is not very pocketable. Keeping that on mind, I was hesitant to get me Odin 2 mini, but now that I have it for a while, I should say it feels just right for me. I've beaten Metroid Dread and some arcade/nes/SNES games on it already and I couldn't be more happier. I don't think I even need a grip for o2m.

[@adinwalls]

That's high praise. The ergonomics on the mini are pretty great

[@dm.3145]

What's the Daijisho theme on the odin 2 mini in the thumbnail

[@adinwalls]

2Clean Dai Black V2

[@toycoma98]

I like to put my grip backwards on my RP3+ to protect the sticks and screen, not sure if you can do that to the 4/4pro. Would be cool if they did that to the 5. No bumps/butt cheeks but use an official grip that is reversable. Thanks for mentioning the sleep function problems, seems like RP5 has a software issue. Cant wait for Joey to do his review.

[@aurelios69]

Thats why I've bought the Odin2 Portal. The price difference is smaller and everything is better and bigger

[@adinwalls]

Ya the portal looks nice.

[@azzaisme]

I think one other thing to think about is why bother with more than 3x resolution. It's a 1080p screen, you won't be able to see the extra pixels.

[@Joostmhw]

When it comes to upscaling the benefit of going above your resolution isn't as visible as going up to that point but it's not pointless entirely. You're rendering the space more accurately meaning that there will be small differences between an image rendered at 2x the screen resolution vs 3x the screen resolution. With the higher one being more accurate to the intended visuals. This is because long story short 3d models are not image files that are set at a resolution but more like a recipe for your processor to cook. With the same recipe but different quality cookware one would make better food than with worse cookware. Same story here, the recipe is what is in the game files, so it can be made to look better with better hardware.

[@mushtaqshah9390]

Wish they had put the RP5 screen into the mini. Have you had any flickering issues with the mini screen? Mine started to flicker for a little while then it stopped after turning on the fan and restarting it. Haven't experienced it since. Hope it was just a one off.

[@adinwalls]

Yes me too, rp5 screen on the mini would've been ideal. But no, no flickering on mine. But I have heard of this issue before

[@albanian5525]

Do you think I should get rid of the rp4p for this or the odin 2 (non mini)? I'm mainly trying to play higher end games like ps2 and switch emulation and the rp4p struggles keeping playable frames on most games and it really triggers my ocd. I'm asking because I don't know if the difference in the gpus between the rp4p and rp5p will make a big difference due to compatibility differences.

[@adinwalls]

The 5 will be a big jump on performance experience, but don't get rid of the Odin 2!

[@panamachief]

sometimes its just the little things. for me, dpad being above the stick made this a 100% purchase. i play a lot of Kaizo Mario. Steam Deck is too large. Trimui Smart Pro is close, but the screen isnt perfect and it lacks ergonomics. RP5 is going to be the perfect middle ground.

[@AM-mz4ey]

This is exactly what I was struggling to choose between. The Odin 2 Mini is better but at that price range ($500-600 CND), I'm wondering if it's better waiting for the Odin 3 Mini (maybe they'll put an OLED screen in there) or maybe even the Legion Lite Go, which should be very powerful too

[@victorcanales4616]

I'm alright getting the ayn mini. The reason for me is cause it look like vita. I own vita, so grip and size fine. And i like playing game when I'm on break at work or at coffee shop.

[@adinwalls]

Yes I think the grip on the Odin 2 mini is great

[@sharktooth30yt48]

Im still very 50/50 between these two! Also, whats the plastic texture like on the O2M? Is it good and is there something comparable?

[@adinwalls]

I don't have a comparison to give you but the O2M is more solid and a little smoother, with a grippy plastic in the finger indentations. The RP5 is much lighter with a more textured plastic, and stippled plastic on the back bumps. I like the O2M for the shape and weight, I like the RP5 for the textured plastic.

[@sharktooth30yt48]

Interesting. For reference, I have an RP3+ and its plastic is definitely smooth, making it feel a bit toylike

[@SSuperC]

Having the sticks in the proper position is worth at least an extra $30 for me, so the RP5 is going to win this one.

[@ramspencer5492]

I would like Retroid to put out a Retroid 5 Pro, with a better chip you give it a little more future proofing legs (and maybe even 12gb of RAM). It should also have an alternative control layout option, with the left Analog joystick on top.

[@adinwalls]

It's called the Odin 2 mini...

[@ERRENTPRIM]

I grew up with the psp, ps vita, ps1, ps2, ps3 and ps4. I vastly perfer the stick on the bottom. Its the reason i never got an odin

[@Raphtor13]

Why would you want to to Gran Tourismo at 7x res? It doesn't make sense to play games at a higher resolution than the screen can support so that comparison really doesn't make sense. What am I missing here? I would think you would want to compare at the appropriate resolution for the screen.

[@blakeandcamp]

Yeah there's no point. It's all just an e-dick measuring contest with higher numbers and shit.

[@adinwalls]

It was a performance test not a screen test.

[@BopitBrand]

I decided to go for the RP4 pro instead of the 5, it suits my needs better, and is not that much less powerful than the 5, it has a great design and is cheaper.

[@adinwalls]

Still a great device!

[@TheDeadlyTikka]

God i wish that odin mini had the oled screen. Would be the ultimate device if it did