Anbernic's PS Vita-inspired RG Vita handheld features Unisoc's Tiger T618 chipset according to YouTuber The Phawx, positioning it as a mid-range emulation device that won't run Vita games but handles older consoles.
Popular hardware reviewer The Phawx has uncovered key technical details about Anbernic's upcoming RG Vita handheld, revealing it will use the Unisoc Tiger T618 chipset despite its PlayStation Vita-inspired design. This confirmation comes just days after Anbernic officially announced both the RG Vita and RG Vita Pro models without publishing specifications.
The Tiger T618 is a known quantity in the handheld market, built on a 12nm process with an octa-core configuration: two ARM Cortex-A75 performance cores and six Cortex-A55 efficiency cores, all clocked at 2.0GHz. Graphics duties fall to the Mali-G52 MP2 GPU with a maximum boost clock of 850MHz. This places the RG Vita's performance tier alongside devices like the Powkiddy X28, Retroid Pocket 3+, and Anbernic's own RG405 models currently $169.99 on Amazon.
Performance-wise, the Tiger T618 delivers solid emulation for systems up to PlayStation Portable and Nintendo DS, but notably cannot handle PlayStation Vita titles despite the device's aesthetic homage. When compared to newer alternatives like Unisoc's Tiger T820 or MediaTek's Dimensity 8300, the T618 shows its limitations in both CPU architecture and GPU capabilities. The T820's newer Cortex-A76 cores and Mali-G57 MC3 GPU would have provided approximately 40% better graphics performance according to synthetic benchmarks.
Beyond raw specs, The Phawx expressed disappointment regarding the control layout. Unlike Sony's original Vita which featured a distinctive circular d-pad, Anbernic opted for a more conventional cross-shaped design. This decision may disappoint enthusiasts seeking authentic Vita ergonomics, though standard layouts typically offer broader compatibility with Android games.
The appearance of review units suggests an imminent global release before month's end. Given the RG405M's $170 price point with identical internals, the RG Vita will likely compete in the $150-$180 range. Its positioning makes it suitable for retro gamers prioritizing PS Vita styling over cutting-edge performance, while those needing PSP-level emulation or Android gaming may find it adequate.
Ultimately, the RG Vita represents a trade-off: nostalgic design elements packaged with proven but aging hardware. Buyers should temper expectations regarding Vita emulation while recognizing its value for 16-bit through PSP-era gaming. Anbernic appears to be banking on aesthetics winning over users where raw power falls short.
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