I’ve been using Android phones and tablets for as long as I’ve been buying smart devices.
The lure of Apple’s ecosystem never really tempted me, and as such, I’ve been an Android faithful for almost as long as smartphones have existed.
Phones, tablets, and even e-readers, I felt like I’d used Android on almost everything, and nothing could surprise me.
But then, I spontaneously bought the Retroid Pocket 4 Pro, and it was, quite simply, the best Android device I’ve bought in years.
Yes, better than the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7, the Google Pixel 10 Pro, and the Galaxy Tab S10 Plus. If you’re a gamer and interested in emulation, you need a device like this.
I turned my flagship phone into a powerful retro gaming console, and you can too
You should absolutely turn an old phone into an emulation station
Why not just use your phone?
This is a very good question, and it deserves to be answered before we go any further.
Because, stripped down to its basics, the Retroid Pocket 4 Pro is basically just like your smartphone. It uses smartphone hardware, it has a smartphone-sized 4.7-inch screen, and because it runs Android and has access to the Google Play Store, it’s very similar to any number of phones I own.
The differences are key. It doesn’t have a camera, antenna, or any of the basics a phone might have. But it has a large 5,000mAh battery, a headphone jack, a microSD card slot, controllers on either side of the display, and (importantly) a fan nestled inside the plastic chassis.
The software continues this trend. It runs Android, but other software is loaded into it. It can control its fan speed, monitor CPU speed and temperature, has an FPS counter, and shows how much memory you’re using.
In short, it’s a device built just for gaming. Very few people will look at it and assume it’s a smartphone. It looks like a gaming device, because that’s what it is.
I’m getting to the point, I promise.
The point here is simplicity. If I want to play a game, I pick it up, load a game, and I’m away.
If I want to do the same on my phone, even with a game already set up, I need to find my controller, turn it on, load up the game, and find somewhere to prop up my phone.
Maybe then I can start playing, as long as I haven’t run my phone’s battery down with constant daily use.
Do you see the difference? There’s a massive convenience gap between the two. You can bridge some of that with a controller that attaches to your phone, but you’ll still need to find and attach it before you start.
With my Retroid Pocket 4 Pro, if it’s there, I can play immediately. And that makes a difference.
It’s such a good console
But none of that convenience would matter if it were a bad console. Thankfully, it’s not. It’s very, very good.
Grab it, and you’ll immediately notice how well-made it feels. It has a plastic body, but it still has a pleasing heft to it that makes it feel solid. The plastic is smooth, but it’s still easy to grip.
I wish it had more ergonomic handles, like an actual controller, but that would impact its portability, so it’s forgivable.
The built-in speakers are loud and well-placed, and there’s a headphone jack if you need some privacy.
The battery’s lifespan will depend on what you’re playing, but if you’re playing older games it should last for hours without needing a recharge through the USB-C port at the bottom.
Performance is excellent. It has a MediaTek Dimensity 1100 processor, 8GB of RAM, and 128GB of internal storage at a basic level, as well as a microSD card slot for boosting storage.
It’s advertised as being able to handle games up to the GameCube level, but it can handle some Nintendo Switch games, if pushed.
In my experience, it’s best at handling games from the PlayStation 2 and below, and while it can play games from more advanced consoles, it may struggle more.
I’ve been using it to burn through my stack of old PS1 and PS2 games. I recently played Metal Gear Solid, a game I picked up at a charity shop a few years ago and never got around to playing. Old favorites like Final Fantasy VIII also run like a dream.
I also love how portable it is. The entire device is only a bit longer than my Pixel 10 Pro, and it can fit into pretty much any bag.
I love having it close at hand whenever I fancy a little bit of gaming time, and it’s portable in a way the Switch and Steam Deck could never be.
I’ve used bad emulation consoles before, and they can be a trying experience. Coming with thousands of games doesn’t matter a bit if they’re accompanied by a frustrating interface, slow performance, and buggy software.
The Retroid Pocket 4 Pro is a well-built and extremely competent piece of technology.
The price is worth the convenience
I can understand having doubts about whether you should buy a device like the Retroid Pocket 4 Pro.
After all, since it’s effectively an Android phone, you could replicate it with a decent controller and all the same apps.
And you could. But be aware that it won’t replicate the same experience as using a dedicated emulation device like the Pocket 4 Pro.
The simplicity of it is the key. This device is made for gaming, and it excels at it. Your phone probably does not. It’s good at doomscrolling and phone calls, which are two things I actively try to avoid.
Don’t get me wrong, your phone might be pretty good at gaming, but it’s never going to beat a gaming-focused device like the Pocket 4 Pro.
I own this device for the same reason I own an e-reader. It’s just better at what it does than a phone is, even though a phone is just as capable of doing it.
It harkens back to decades ago, when we bought different devices for different tasks. That’s probably why using the Retroid Pocket 4 Pro feels even more retro than just playing old games should allow; it reminds me of playing my PSP on the bus in the mid-noughties.
Whether you purchase an emulation console will boil down to whether you can afford to spend money on a dedicated gaming device when your phone can technically do it.
And I get it, if you’re happy with your phone’s gaming prowess, then more power to you.
But if you, like me, always find it a little bit lacking, you have options. It turned out the Retroid Pocket 4 Pro was the perfect one for me.
At just $149, it’s a real steal, and if you want to get the most out of your gaming time or want to play some old favorites, it’s well worth the money.
