Anbernic's reimagining of the Switch Lite goes on sale August 31

Anbernic will begin selling its RG 55G1 handheld on August 31, with orders opening at 6AM ET / 3AM PT. The device, which closely resembles the Nintendo Switch Lite, is priced starting at $150, undercutting Nintendo’s budget console. It will be available in black, indigo, and retro gray colorways, with a $10 discount applied for the first three days of the sale.

The RG 55G1 runs on Android 14 and is built primarily for emulating retro games, rather than playing modern titles natively. Anbernic has chosen the Snapdragon G1 Gen 2 chip for this model, marking the company’s first use of Qualcomm hardware in its handhelds. That processor is the same one found in the Retroid Pocket Classic, and it is capable of emulating systems up to the PlayStation 2 and Nintendo Wii.

Like the Switch Lite, the RG 55G1 features a 5.5-inch display, but the resolution is higher at 1,920 by 1,080. The handheld also includes two symmetrical Hall effect joysticks, a design choice that differs from the Switch Lite’s single stick setup. Battery life is rated at up to eight hours, depending on usage.

Anbernic is offering two memory configurations for the RG 55G1. The base model comes with 4GB of RAM and 64GB of storage, while a higher-tier version includes 8GB of RAM and 128GB of storage. The top-spec model can cost up to $225, and that price includes an additional 256GB microSD card.

The release follows a pattern for Anbernic, which has been producing handhelds that recreate Nintendo’s classic gaming devices. The RG 55G1 was first revealed in June with its specifications, but the company only now confirmed the launch date and pricing. The device is positioned as a cheaper alternative to the Switch Lite, though it targets a different audience focused on emulation rather than current-generation games.

For US consumers, the August 31 launch means the RG 55G1 will be available to order directly through Anbernic’s channels. The starting price of $150 places it below the Switch Lite’s typical retail cost, while the higher-spec model approaches the price of a full Switch. The $10 launch promotion applies for the first three days, reducing the entry price to $140 during that window.

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