The handheld gaming market has experienced a surge in popularity over recent years, and amid this growth, the RG280V and the Miyoo Mini have emerged as two competitive options. Both of these devices have a retro charm and are capable of emulating a variety of classic games, from NES to PlayStation titles. However, they each come with their own set of features and considerations. In this article, we’ll compare the two devices in terms of their design, performance, and overall gaming experience to help you decide which one is right for you.
Design and Build
RG280V
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Manufactured by Anbernic, a well-regarded name in the realm of handheld retro gaming consoles, the RG280V comes with a sturdy build. It sports a design reminiscent of the iconic Game Boy. The body of the device is made from a high-quality plastic which is solid and tough, adding to its durability. It boasts a vibrant 2.8-inch IPS screen, providing excellent color accuracy and viewing angles.
The button layout is familiar, with a D-pad, four face buttons, and two shoulder buttons. It also includes Start and Select buttons, and a pair of stereo speakers located at the bottom of the unit.
Miyoo Mini
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The Miyoo Mini, on the other hand, is a compact and lightweight handheld gaming console. It features a smaller 2.0-inch IPS screen that delivers vibrant colors and wide viewing angles. Its body is also plastic, but it feels comfortable and solid in the hands.
Similar to the RG280V, the Miyoo Mini also has a D-pad, four face buttons, and two shoulder buttons, in addition to Start and Select buttons. However, it only has one speaker located at the bottom of the unit, as opposed to the dual speakers on the RG280V.
Performance and Gaming Experience
RG280V
The RG280V runs on the OpenDingux operating system and is powered by a 1.0 GHz JZ4770 dual-core processor. This processor, along with DDR2 RAM, allows the RG280V to smoothly emulate games from consoles like the Game Boy, Game Boy Advance, SNES, PS1, and more.
The device comes with a 2100mAh battery, which provides approximately six hours of gameplay. It also features 16GB of internal storage and a microSD card slot for further expansion, giving gamers plenty of room to store their favorite games.
The button configuration of the RG280V makes it ideal for many different types of games. The physical controls are responsive and comfortable to use, even for extended gaming sessions. Furthermore, the screen quality enhances the overall gaming experience with its vibrant colors and sharpness.
Miyoo Mini
The Miyoo Mini is also powered by a JZ4770 dual-core processor and runs on a customized Miyoo OS. It supports emulation for many of the same consoles as the RG280V, offering a broad gaming repertoire for retro enthusiasts.
One point of differentiation is its battery. The Miyoo Mini packs a smaller 1020mAh battery that yields about three to four hours of gaming time. As for storage, it comes with 16GB of internal memory and supports microSD cards for expansion.
Like the RG280V, the Miyoo Mini has comfortable and responsive buttons, but the smaller size might pose some difficulty for players with larger hands. Despite its smaller screen size, the display is still bright and crisp, providing an enjoyable gaming experience.
Other Features
Both devices have their own unique advantages and may cater to different types of gamers. The RG280V has a larger screen and a bigger battery, making it suitable for long gaming sessions. The device also has dual speakers, which may offer a more immersive sound experience.
On the other hand, the Miyoo Mini, with its compact and lightweight design, is the more portable option of the two. It easily fits into a pocket, making it perfect for on-the-go gaming.
Emulation Capabilities
Both RG280V and Miyoo Mini boast a comprehensive range of emulated systems, including, but not limited to NES, SNES, Game Boy, Game Boy Color, Game Boy Advance, Sega Mega Drive, and PlayStation 1. This wide range of supported platforms means that gamers can enjoy an extensive catalog of games from various consoles on both devices.
However, when it comes to PlayStation 1 emulation, the RG280V generally delivers a smoother experience due to its more powerful hardware. While the Miyoo Mini can also emulate PS1 games, some titles may experience occasional performance issues.
Customization and Community Support
Open-source handheld consoles often thrive due to the active community support surrounding them. Both the RG280V and Miyoo Mini benefit from their respective active user communities. These communities offer regular firmware updates, custom themes, and homebrew applications, which can enhance your gaming experience and device usability.
The OpenDingux operating system of RG280V has robust community support, which is constantly working on firmware updates and software enhancements. The Miyoo Mini also benefits from a dedicated community providing regular updates, fixes, and new features for the custom Miyoo OS.
Price
Another factor that prospective buyers may want to consider is the price. As of this writing, the RG280V is typically priced slightly higher than the Miyoo Mini. The difference in price may be a consideration for budget-conscious gamers. However, it’s also important to take into account the individual features of each device, such as screen size, battery life, and overall performance when making a purchasing decision.
Build Quality
Build quality plays an important role when choosing a portable console. You want a device that feels solid and comfortable in your hands, especially for prolonged gaming sessions.
The RG280V, like other Anbernic consoles, boasts a sturdy metal build, contributing to its premium feel and durability. Its design is an homage to the classic Game Boy form factor, which has been favored by many gamers over the years.
On the other hand, the Miyoo Mini, while predominantly plastic, doesn’t feel cheap. It has a good weight balance, providing a comfortable grip during gameplay. Its form factor resembles that of the Nintendo Game Boy Micro, appealing to gamers who prefer compact and lightweight consoles.
Controls
The controls on a handheld console can greatly influence your gaming experience. You want responsive and comfortable buttons for those intense gaming sessions.
The RG280V features a joystick and a D-pad, which offer a wider range of controls for different types of games. In addition, it comes with four front-facing buttons (A, B, X, Y), two shoulder buttons (L1, R1), and start and select buttons.
Conversely, the Miyoo Mini sticks to a more classic control layout with a D-pad, four action buttons (A, B, X, Y), and start and select buttons. It lacks a joystick and shoulder buttons, which might limit its versatility for some types of games.
Software Flexibility
Both the RG280V and the Miyoo Mini run on Linux-based, open-source operating systems — OpenDingux and Miyoo OS, respectively. This means that they can be customized extensively, and there’s a wide array of homebrew software and emulators available for both.
While the RG280V’s OpenDingux has a larger community and thus a slightly more extensive library of software, the Miyoo Mini’s OS is not far behind. Both are regularly updated and are capable of running a multitude of emulators, ranging from the earliest game consoles to more modern systems like the PlayStation 1.
External Connectivity
External connectivity is another essential factor to consider, especially if you wish to transfer ROMs or homebrew software onto your device or output video to an external display.
The RG280V features a USB Type-C port for data transfer and charging, and a microSD card slot for expandable storage, making it easy for you to transfer games and other files to the device. However, it does not offer an HDMI output for video, which means that you can’t connect it to a TV or monitor for big-screen gaming.
The Miyoo Mini also has a microSD card slot for data transfer and storage expansion and a micro-USB port for charging. Similar to the RG280V, it lacks an HDMI output, so you’re limited to playing games on the device’s built-in display.
Sound Quality
While visuals are crucial in gaming, sound plays an equally important role in enhancing the gaming experience.
The RG280V comes with built-in stereo speakers that provide decent sound quality for its size. For those who prefer using headphones, it also features a 3.5mm headphone jack.
The Miyoo Mini, despite its smaller size, also manages to pack in decent quality speakers. It, too, includes a 3.5mm headphone jack, allowing you to enjoy your games privately or in noisy environments.
Community Support
Finally, it’s worth considering the community support for each device. A strong and active community can make a big difference in helping you troubleshoot any issues you encounter, find new games and emulators to try, or learn about any mods or custom firmware that could improve your device’s performance.
Both the RG280V and the Miyoo Mini have a dedicated following in the retro gaming community. There are numerous online forums and social media groups where users of both devices share tips, tricks, and recommendations. You’ll find lots of resources and support for both devices, from troubleshooting advice to guides on how to maximize the performance of your handheld console.
So, what’s better?
In conclusion, both the RG280V and the Miyoo Mini are solid choices for retro gaming enthusiasts. They each offer a unique blend of portability and performance.
The RG280V’s larger screen and longer battery life make it an excellent choice for gamers who value extended playtime and immersive gameplay experience. Its robust performance and community support make it a versatile and reliable gaming console.
On the other hand, the Miyoo Mini’s ultra-portable design and lower price point make it an appealing choice for gamers on the go. Despite its smaller size, it still packs a punch when it comes to performance and provides a satisfying gaming experience.
Ultimately, the choice between the RG280V and the Miyoo Mini will depend on your personal preferences and what you value most in a handheld gaming console. Whether it’s the screen size, battery life, portability, or price, both devices have their strengths and offer an enjoyable retro gaming experience.
I love testing and writing about new tech. I focus on keyboards and controllers. I'm also a gamer and an engineer. Check out my Twitter for keyboard and controller news and reviews.
