Fabian Brunner
Zürich, Switzerland
Fabian is an electronics hobbyist based near Zürich, Switzerland. A graduate of ETH Zürich with a background in electrical engineering, he spent several years in embedded systems testing before transitioning to independent hardware review writing.
His obsession with portable gaming started in 2008 when he modded his first Game Boy Advance. Everything changed in 2022 when he picked up an Anbernic RG351P at a tech meetup in Basel — since then, his collection has grown to 14+ devices spanning every tier from the $35 Miyoo Mini to the $459 AYN Odin 2 Max.
His reviews focus on the European buyer experience: real AliExpress shipping times to the EU, Swiss and EU import duties, warranty reality across borders, and extensive firmware testing on OnionOS, muOS, Batocera, Knulli, ROCKNIX, and CrossMix-OS.
When not benchmarking handhelds, he enjoys mountain hiking in the Swiss Alps and building Raspberry Pi projects.
Published articles
Best Handhelds for GameCube Emulation in 2026
GameCube via Dolphin separates flagship Android handhelds from everything else. Here's which devices handle the full library and which aren't even close.
May 13, 2026
Best Android Retro Handhelds Under $200 in 2026
Sub-$200 Android handhelds worth buying: Retroid Pocket 4 Pro, Anbernic RG556, Anbernic RG406V. Hands-on comparison by emulation tier and ergonomics.
May 11, 2026
Best Handhelds for PS1 Emulation in 2026
PS1 runs flawlessly on every handheld above $35. The real question is upscaling, accuracy, and controls — here's what actually matters for serious PS1 players.
May 8, 2026
Best Anbernic Handheld in 2026: Which One Should You Buy?
Anbernic's 2024-2026 lineup: RG35XX SP, RG35XX Plus, RG556, RG406V. Direct comparison by price, power, form factor, and emulation tier.
May 6, 2026
Best Handhelds for SNES Emulation in 2026
SNES runs on every modern handheld at full speed. But screen aspect ratio, D-pad quality, and emulator choice make real differences — here's where to spend.
May 4, 2026
ROCKNIX vs JELOS: Why You Should Migrate (and How)
JELOS was retired in March 2024. ROCKNIX is the official successor from the same team. Step-by-step migration for RG353 and compatible RK3566 devices.
May 1, 2026
Best Handhelds for GBA Emulation in 2026
Game Boy Advance is a solved emulation target — but screen resolution, aspect ratio, and battery life still matter. Here are the picks per budget tier.
Apr 29, 2026
Anbernic RG35XX SP vs Miyoo Mini Plus: Clamshell vs Slab Under $70
Two of the most popular sub-$70 retro handhelds. Anbernic RG35XX SP's clamshell versus Miyoo Mini Plus's pocketable slab — which form factor wins?
Apr 27, 2026
Retroid Pocket 4 Pro vs Pocket 5: Is the Upgrade Worth It?
Retroid Pocket 5's Snapdragon 865 + AMOLED versus Pocket 4 Pro's Dimensity 1100 — what's the real difference at the $219 vs $149 tier?
Apr 24, 2026
muOS vs Knulli for Anbernic H700 Handhelds: Which to Install
Two custom firmwares target the Anbernic H700 family (RG35XX SP, Plus, H, SP). Direct comparison of features, interface, and emulation configuration.
Apr 22, 2026
Anbernic RG35XX Plus Review: The Budget Workhorse
Hands-on review of the Anbernic RG35XX Plus. Stereo speakers, HDMI out, wide firmware support, and where the H700 platform runs out of headroom.
Apr 21, 2026
Anbernic RG35XX SP Review: The Clamshell Done Right
Hands-on review of the Anbernic RG35XX SP clamshell handheld. Emulation benchmarks, custom firmware notes, and EU buyer guidance.
Apr 21, 2026
Anbernic RG406V Review: The Best Vertical Android Handheld
Anbernic's premium vertical Android handheld. 4-inch 4:3 touchscreen, Unisoc T820, hall-effect sticks — review of what makes the RG406V stand out in 2026.
Apr 21, 2026
Anbernic RG556 Review: AMOLED Power, Android Caveats
The Anbernic RG556 tested extensively: 5.48-inch AMOLED, Unisoc T820 emulation performance across PS2, GameCube, and 3DS, and whether Anbernic's Android tuning works.
Apr 21, 2026
AYN Odin 2 Review: Flagship Emulation in the Android Handheld Tier
The AYN Odin 2 with Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 sets the ceiling for Android handheld emulation in 2026. Full review of Base, Pro, and Max variants across PS2, GameCube, Switch.
Apr 21, 2026
Retroid Pocket 5 Review: AMOLED + Snapdragon 865 at $219
Hands-on review of the Retroid Pocket 5. Snapdragon 865, 5.5-inch AMOLED, hall-effect sticks, active cooling — what $219 gets you in 2026.
Apr 21, 2026
Retroid Pocket 4 Pro Review: Dimensity 1100 Does the Work
Hands-on review of the Retroid Pocket 4 Pro after weeks of testing. PS2, GameCube, and Switch emulation performance, hall-effect sticks, and the value equation.
Apr 21, 2026
Trimui Smart Pro Review: The Widescreen Underdog
Full review of the Trimui Smart Pro. Its 4.96-inch widescreen, Allwinner A133P performance, and CrossMix OS community support — where it wins and where it disappoints.
Apr 21, 2026
Anbernic RG556 vs Retroid Pocket 4 Pro: AMOLED vs Raw Power
The RG556's 5.48-inch AMOLED versus the Pocket 4 Pro's Dimensity 1100 — two different ways to spend around $180 on an Android handheld.
Apr 21, 2026
AYN Odin 2 vs Retroid Pocket 5: Premium Android Handheld Comparison
The $299 AYN Odin 2 versus the $219 Retroid Pocket 5. Both are flagship Android retro handhelds — which is worth the premium?
Apr 21, 2026
Best Retro Handhelds Under $100 in 2026
The sub-$100 retro handheld segment is crowded. We compare the four that actually deliver: Anbernic RG35XX Plus, RG35XX SP, Miyoo Mini Plus, and Trimui Smart Pro.
Apr 21, 2026
Miyoo Mini Plus vs Anbernic RG35XX Plus: Which Sub-$100 Handheld Wins?
Direct comparison of the Miyoo Mini Plus and Anbernic RG35XX Plus. Build, screen, emulation, custom firmware — which one should you buy?
Apr 21, 2026
The Best Handhelds for PS2 Emulation in 2026
PS2 is the hardest common platform to emulate on handheld hardware. Here are the devices that genuinely run PS2 well — and which to skip.
Apr 21, 2026
Anbernic Custom Firmware: Which One for Which Device in 2026
A practical map of which custom firmware fits which Anbernic handheld: muOS, Knulli, Batocera — what each is for, and where to start.
Apr 21, 2026
Batocera vs Knulli vs JELOS: The 2026 State of the Ecosystem
Which Batocera-flavored firmware should you install? Batocera upstream, Knulli for Anbernic H700 handhelds, and why JELOS is no longer the answer.
Apr 21, 2026
How to Install muOS on the Anbernic RG35XX Plus
Step-by-step guide to installing muOS on the RG35XX Plus: SD card prep, flashing, first boot, ROM setup, and common first-day issues.
Apr 21, 2026
OnionOS Setup Guide for the Miyoo Mini Plus
Installing and configuring OnionOS on the Miyoo Mini Plus: SD card flashing, theme setup, RetroArch cores, BIOS, and the tweaks every new user asks about.
Apr 21, 2026
Best Handhelds for Nintendo 64 Emulation in 2026
N64 emulation is harder than it looks — compatibility, analog sticks, and aspect ratio all matter. Here are the handhelds that do it right.
Apr 21, 2026
Best Handhelds for PSP Emulation in 2026
PSP emulation on handhelds is a sweet spot where mid-range devices shine. Here are the top picks across budget tiers.
Apr 21, 2026
Best Handhelds for Switch Emulation in 2026
Switch emulation on handheld Android is a high-end-only use case. Here's which devices actually run the library, and which can only dream.
Apr 21, 2026
Dreamcast Emulation on Retro Handhelds: What Actually Runs Well
Dreamcast has a reputation for being easy to emulate until you hit Shenmue. Here's which handhelds actually handle the library.
Apr 21, 2026
The Best Portable Chargers for Handheld Gaming in 2026
USB-C PD, capacity vs portability, and which chargers actually deliver rated output to handhelds. Tested with Anbernic, Retroid, and Trimui devices.
Apr 21, 2026
The Best SD Cards for Retro Handhelds in 2026
Not every SD card is handheld-friendly. We cover the speed, reliability, and counterfeit issues that matter — with device-specific notes.
Apr 21, 2026
Miyoo Mini Plus Cases and Grip Options
Silicone skins, hard cases, and grip attachments for the Miyoo Mini Plus — what actually helps during long sessions and what doesn't.
Apr 21, 2026