Gaming / Handheld consoles
RetroidHandheld console
Pocket Nova
Released July 2026.13Reviewretrododo.com/retroid-pocket-nova-reviewRead 14 October 2026Review lists a release date of 28 July 2026. Retro Catalog also gives July 2026 and a review states a pre-ordered unit arrived on 10 August 2026. Month stored as 2026-07. Last checked 16 October 2026.
- Chip
- Qualcomm QCS8550
- Screen size
- 4.5in
- Refresh rate
- 120Hz
- Weight
- 255g
74 of 165 fields known.
At a glance
Ports
- USB-C USB 3.1
- 3.5 mm audio
- microSD card
General
- Series
- Retroid Pocket1Maker product pagegoretroid.com/products/retroid-pocket-nova-handheldRead 14 October 2026
- Model numbers
- RPN-8-GC, RPN-8-16B, RPN-8-BK, RPN-8-CR, RPN-8-IB, RPN-8-CP, RPN-8-WM, RPN-12-GC, RPN-12-16B, RPN-12-BK, RPN-12-CR, RPN-12-IB, RPN-12-CP, RPN-12-WM1Maker product pagegoretroid.com/products/retroid-pocket-nova-handheldRead 14 October 2026Store listing and its Shopify product feed list 14 SKUs, RPN-8-xx and RPN-12-xx for GC, 16B, BK, CR, IB, CP and WM. These are store SKUs, not maker model numbers.
- GTIN / EAN
- Not available
- Announced
- June 202610Press articletimeextension.com/news/2026/06/here-are-the-specs-and-launch-prices-for-the-retroid-pocket-nova-retroids-new-43-handheldRead 14 October 2026June 2026 launch article. Pre-orders opened on 26 June 2026 at 9pm EST.11Press articleengadget.com/2201878/retroids-pocket-nova-is-a-very-capable-43-handheld-that-costs-dollar229Read 14 October 2026Article dated 25 June 2026 reports the Pocket Nova announcement with specs and prices. An earlier teaser date was not found, so only the month is stored.
- Predecessor
- Not available
- Successor
- Not available
- Launch price (US)
- From $2291Maker product pagegoretroid.com/products/retroid-pocket-nova-handheldRead 14 October 202610Press articletimeextension.com/news/2026/06/here-are-the-specs-and-launch-prices-for-the-retroid-pocket-nova-retroids-new-43-handheldRead 14 October 202611Press articleengadget.com/2201878/retroids-pocket-nova-is-a-very-capable-43-handheld-that-costs-dollar229Read 14 October 202612Maker product pagegoretroid.com/policies/refund-policyRead 14 October 2026
- Launch price (EU)
- Not available
- Markets
- Not available
- Colours
- GC, 16Bit, Black, Crystal, Ice Blue, Clear Purple, Watermelon1Maker product pagegoretroid.com/products/retroid-pocket-nova-handheldRead 14 October 2026Color options as named in the store: GC, 16Bit, Black, Crystal, Ice Blue, Clear Purple, Watermelon.
Platform and software
- OS family
- Android2Maker product pagecdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0321/7516/1479/files/12_9c1db98e-b9c3-4fdc-87db-7abf77490957.jpgRead 14 October 2026
- OS at launch
- Android 132Maker product pagecdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0321/7516/1479/files/12_9c1db98e-b9c3-4fdc-87db-7abf77490957.jpgRead 14 October 2026OS row: Android 13.
- Latest OS
- Not available
- Backward compatibility
- Not available
- Upscaling and frame generation
- Not available
Processor and graphics
- Chip brand
- Qualcomm2Maker product pagecdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0321/7516/1479/files/12_9c1db98e-b9c3-4fdc-87db-7abf77490957.jpgRead 14 October 2026
- Core configuration
Core type Physical core count Core Max clock (GHz) Prime 1 Kryo Prime 3.2 Performance 4 Kryo Gold 2.8 Efficiency 3 Kryo Silver 2 Source2Maker product pagecdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0321/7516/1479/files/12_9c1db98e-b9c3-4fdc-87db-7abf77490957.jpgRead 14 October 2026CPU row: 1x Kryo Prime at 3.2GHz, 4x Kryo Gold at 2.8GHz, 3x Kryo Silver at 2.0GHz. The maker names the cores this way and no individual Arm core models are stated. Kryo Prime, Gold and Silver map to the Prime, Performance and Efficiency core types.3Maker product pagecdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0321/7516/1479/files/6_77c16d9a-416a-4a81-9fc4-9a17ba8b1a09.jpgRead 14 October 2026- CPU cores
- 8
- Max CPU clock
- 3.2GHz
- Process
- 4nm2Maker product pagecdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0321/7516/1479/files/12_9c1db98e-b9c3-4fdc-87db-7abf77490957.jpgRead 14 October 20263Maker product pagecdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0321/7516/1479/files/6_77c16d9a-416a-4a81-9fc4-9a17ba8b1a09.jpgRead 14 October 2026Processor image: Process 4nm.
- GPU
- Qualcomm Adreno 7402Maker product pagecdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0321/7516/1479/files/12_9c1db98e-b9c3-4fdc-87db-7abf77490957.jpgRead 14 October 2026
- GPU architecture
- Not available
- GPU compute units
- Not available
- GPU max clock
- 680MHz3Maker product pagecdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0321/7516/1479/files/6_77c16d9a-416a-4a81-9fc4-9a17ba8b1a09.jpgRead 14 October 2026Processor image: Adreno 740 @ 680MHz.
- GPU compute (claimed)
- Not available
- Power modes
- Not available
- Lowest TDP
- Not available
- Highest TDP
- Not available
- Highest TDP on battery
- Not available
- Custom TDP
- Not available
Memory and storage
- RAM type
- LPDDR5X2Maker product pagecdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0321/7516/1479/files/12_9c1db98e-b9c3-4fdc-87db-7abf77490957.jpgRead 14 October 2026
- RAM speed
- Not available
- Memory bandwidth
- Not available
- Storage type
- UFS2Maker product pagecdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0321/7516/1479/files/12_9c1db98e-b9c3-4fdc-87db-7abf77490957.jpgRead 14 October 2026
- Installed drive PCIe generation
- Not available
- Storage slots
- Not available
- M.2 slots
- Not available
- Card speed class
- Not available
- Max card size
- Not available
Display
- Screen size
- 4.5in(11.4 cm)2Maker product pagecdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0321/7516/1479/files/12_9c1db98e-b9c3-4fdc-87db-7abf77490957.jpgRead 14 October 2026
- Native resolution
- 1280 × 960px2Maker product pagecdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0321/7516/1479/files/12_9c1db98e-b9c3-4fdc-87db-7abf77490957.jpgRead 14 October 2026
- Pixel density
- 355.6ppi
- Native panel orientation
- Landscape2Maker product pagecdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0321/7516/1479/files/12_9c1db98e-b9c3-4fdc-87db-7abf77490957.jpgRead 14 October 20261280 x 960 is wider than tall, so the panel is landscape.
- Screen surface
- Not available
- Touchscreen
- Yes13Reviewretrododo.com/retroid-pocket-nova-reviewRead 14 October 2026Reviewer describes the screen as a 4:3 touchscreen.14Spec databaseretrocatalog.com/retro-handhelds/retroid-pocket-novaRead 14 October 2026Rendered feature label: Touch Screen: Supported.17Retailer pagedroix.net/product/retroid-pocket-novaRead 14 October 2026Spec tab: Touchscreen Yes.
- Built-in display refresh modes
Width (px) Height (px) Max (Hz) 1280 960 120 - Max refresh rate
- 120Hz
- Adaptive sync
- Not available
- VRR lower limit
- Not available
- Brightness (SDR, claimed)
- Not available
- Peak brightness (HDR, claimed)
- Not available
- DCI-P3 coverage (claimed)
- Not available
- HDR formats
- Not available
- Second display
- Not available
Controls
- Stick sensor
- Hall effect1Maker product pagegoretroid.com/products/retroid-pocket-nova-handheldRead 14 October 2026Spec text on the page: 3D hall sticks.
- Touch-sensitive sticks
- Not available
- Replaceable stick modules
- Not available
- Trigger sensor
- Hall effect5Maker product pagecdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0321/7516/1479/files/9_ee2c4237-c3be-4785-a239-9960dad1d042.jpgRead 14 October 2026L2/R2 Triggers tile: Hall sensor based triggers.
- Trigger stops
- Not available
- System-level remapping
- Not available
- System buttons
- Power, Volume +, Volume -, M1, M2, Start, Select, Home, Back14Spec databaseretrocatalog.com/retro-handhelds/retroid-pocket-novaRead 14 October 2026Additional Controls row: Home, back, volume up and down, M1/M2 shoulder buttons. Power is on the right side per DroiX. Start and Select come from the DroiX spec tab.16Reviewdroix.net/blogsRead 14 October 2026Shoulder, trigger and macro buttons are on the top. Volume and power buttons are on the right side.17Retailer pagedroix.net/product/retroid-pocket-novaRead 14 October 2026Spec tab Action Buttons: D-PAD, joysticks, M1/M2, Menu, shoulder, Start / Select (+ / -), triggers, ABXY. Retro Catalog names a Home button where this tab says Menu. The maker's front photo shows a home icon button, so Home is stored.18Reviewdarylbaxter.com/posts/retroid-pocket-nova-reviewRead 14 October 2026Reviewer names extra M1 and M2 buttons used as shortcuts.
- Detached controller connection
- Not available
- Controller mouse sensor
- Not available
- Fingerprint
- Not available
Motion and feedback
Measured
- Brightness (measured)
- Not available
- HDR peak brightness (measured)
- Not available
- Contrast ratio (measured)
- Not available
- DCI-P3 coverage (measured)
- Not available
- Colour accuracy (measured Delta E)
- Not available
- PWM frequency (measured)
- Not available
- 3DMark Time Spy graphics (measured)
- Not available
- 3DMark Steel Nomad Light (measured)
- Not available
- 3DMark Wild Life Extreme (measured)
- 3,732points16Reviewdroix.net/blogsRead 14 October 2026DroiX scored 3,732 in 3DMark Wild Life Extreme. Firmware and power profile are not stated.
- Cinebench 2024 single-core (measured)
- Not available
- Cinebench 2024 multi-core (measured)
- Not available
- AnTuTu (measured)
- 1,497,067points16Reviewdroix.net/blogsRead 14 October 2026DroiX scored 1,497,067 in AnTuTu. AnTuTu version, firmware and power profile are not stated.
- Game frame rates (measured)
- Not available
- SSD sequential read (measured)
- Not available
- Memory card read (measured)
- Not available
- Battery runtime per test (measured)
Test Hours (h) Max load 4 - Shortest gaming test runtime (measured)
- Not available
- Longest gaming test runtime (measured)
- Not available
- Video runtime (measured)
- Not available
- Full charge time (measured)
- Not available
- Power draw gaming (measured)
- Not available
- Fan noise per mode (measured)
- Not available
- Max fan noise (measured)
- Not available
- Fan noise while gaming (measured)
- Not available
- Back surface under load (measured)
- Not available
- Grips under load (measured)
- Not available
- Chip temperature while gaming (measured)
- Not available
- Stick tests (measured)
- Not available
- Speaker loudness (measured)
- Not available
- Weight (measured)
- Not available
Audio
- Speakers
- 213Reviewretrododo.com/retroid-pocket-nova-reviewRead 14 October 2026Reviewer describes dual front-facing speakers.15Reviewtimeextension.com/reviews/retroid-pocket-nova-the-new-retro-emulation-handheld-to-beatRead 14 October 2026Front-facing stereo speakers.17Retailer pagedroix.net/product/retroid-pocket-novaRead 14 October 2026Spec tab: Speakers Type Front Facing (X2).
- Speaker direction
- Front-facing6Maker product pagecdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0321/7516/1479/files/4fe40f089696834c4906303a743d01c5_69478f4f-a55f-4431-8fdc-cf758caa979c.jpgRead 14 October 2026Front photo shows a speaker grille at the lower edge of each grip.13Reviewretrododo.com/retroid-pocket-nova-reviewRead 14 October 202614Spec databaseretrocatalog.com/retro-handhelds/retroid-pocket-novaRead 14 October 2026Speaker Placement: Front. Stereo speaker listed.15Reviewtimeextension.com/reviews/retroid-pocket-nova-the-new-retro-emulation-handheld-to-beatRead 14 October 202617Retailer pagedroix.net/product/retroid-pocket-novaRead 14 October 2026Spec tab: Front Facing.
- Audio features
- Not available
- Microphones
- Not available
Ports and dock
- Ports
Type Version Count Side DP Alt Mode Max charging input (W) USB-C USB 3.1 1 Bottom Yes 27 3.5 mm audio Not available 1 Bottom Not available Not available microSD card Not available 1 Bottom Not available Not available Source2Maker product pagecdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0321/7516/1479/files/12_9c1db98e-b9c3-4fdc-87db-7abf77490957.jpgRead 14 October 2026Interface row: USB 3.1 Type C, 3.5mm Audio Jack, TF Card Slot. Port sides come from the maker's product photos. The USB generation suffix and link rate are not published.13Reviewretrododo.com/retroid-pocket-nova-reviewRead 14 October 2026Reviewer lists an off-centre USB-C port on the bottom, a 3.5mm jack and an SD card slot. USB-C video out to a monitor works.16Reviewdroix.net/blogsRead 14 October 2026Covered microSD slot, 3.5mm audio jack and USB Type-C on the bottom.- USB-C ports
- 1
- USB4 or Thunderbolt
- Not available
- USB-C charging
- 27W
- Video out
- Yes2Maker product pagecdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0321/7516/1479/files/12_9c1db98e-b9c3-4fdc-87db-7abf77490957.jpgRead 14 October 2026Video Output row: DisplayPort 4K 60Hz via USB-C.13Reviewretrododo.com/retroid-pocket-nova-reviewRead 14 October 2026Video out via USB-C works as it should on a monitor.
- Max external display
- Resolution3840 × 2160 pxRefresh rate60 Hz2Maker product pagecdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0321/7516/1479/files/12_9c1db98e-b9c3-4fdc-87db-7abf77490957.jpgRead 14 October 2026Read as 3840 x 2160 at 60 Hz over USB-C DisplayPort.
- External GPU
- Not available
- Max output through dock
Width (px) Height (px) Refresh rate (Hz) 3840 2160 60 - Dock ports
- 1 USB-C PD charging input, 1 HDMI output up to 4K at 60 Hz, 1 Gigabit Ethernet port, 2 USB 3.0 ports, 2 USB 2.0 ports9Maker product pagegoretroid.com/products/retroid-official-dockRead 14 October 2026Seven-in-one dock: one PD charging input, one HDMI, one Gigabit Ethernet, two USB 3.0 and two USB 2.0 ports. These are dock connectors and are separate from the handheld ports.
Wireless
- Wi-Fi bands
- Not available
- NFC
- Not available
- Network
- Not available
Battery and charging
- Battery capacity
- 5,000mAh2Maker product pagecdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0321/7516/1479/files/12_9c1db98e-b9c3-4fdc-87db-7abf77490957.jpgRead 14 October 2026Battery row: 5000mAh.
- Claimed battery life
- Not available
- Battery life (claimed, min)
- Not available
- Battery life (claimed, max)
- Not available
- Charging standards
- Not available
- Charge 0 to 100 % (claimed)
- Not available
- Bypass charging
- Not available
- Included charger
- Not available
Cooling
- Vapor chamber
- Not available
- Custom fan curve
- Not available
Build
- Built-in kickstand
- Not available
- Dust and water rating
- Not available
- User-replaceable parts
- Back shell, Thumbstick caps, Buttons5Maker product pagecdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0321/7516/1479/files/9_ee2c4237-c3be-4785-a239-9960dad1d042.jpgRead 14 October 2026Ergonomic Design tile: available for DIY users. The back shell is swappable. The maker's dimensions image lists the ergonomic grip as optional.20Press articleretrohandhelds.gg/retroid-pocket-nova-setup-guideRead 14 October 2026Setup guide says you can swap out all of your buttons for a different theme. DroiX describes removing four screws to fit the optional grip back shell. Removable thumbstick caps are noted by Retro Dodo.
Dimensions and weight
Front and side, drawn to scale.
- Dimensions
- Width169.9Height84.1mm(6.7 × 3.3 in)2Maker product pagecdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0321/7516/1479/files/12_9c1db98e-b9c3-4fdc-87db-7abf77490957.jpgRead 14 October 2026Dimensions row: 169.9*84.1*15.6mm. The 15.6 mm value is the flat-back chassis thickness and is not stored as depth.8Maker product pagecdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0321/7516/1479/files/75edfe9fbfcaf632480f3147853debcb.jpgRead 14 October 2026169.9 x 84.1 mm. Thickness is 15.6 mm for the default flat-back design and 26.3 mm with the optional ergonomic grip. The thickness is a chassis figure and the triggers and sticks are outside the dimension lines, so depth is left out.
- Weight
- 255g(9 oz)2Maker product pagecdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0321/7516/1479/files/12_9c1db98e-b9c3-4fdc-87db-7abf77490957.jpgRead 14 October 2026Weight row: 255g for the default flat-back design.8Maker product pagecdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0321/7516/1479/files/75edfe9fbfcaf632480f3147853debcb.jpgRead 14 October 2026255 g for the flat-back design (default). 260 g with the optional ergonomic grip. The default is stored.16Reviewdroix.net/blogsRead 14 October 2026DroiX quotes around 256 g, which matches the maker's 255 g within rounding.
- Weight without controllers
- Not available
Certifications
We could not find any of these 3 fields. Show them
- Game compatibility programme
- Not available
- FCC ID
- Not available
- Other certifications
- Not available
In the box
- In the box
- Console, USB-C charging cable, Tempered glass screen protector, User manual17Retailer pagedroix.net/product/retroid-pocket-novaRead 14 October 2026Same retailer box list. RetroHandhelds and PC Guide report that pre-orders also got a free bumped back shell and a tempered glass screen protector, so the screen protector may be a pre-order item. The retailer states it as part of the package.
- Carrying case
- Not available
Links
- Product page
- goretroid.com/products/retroid-pocket-nova-handheld1Maker product pagegoretroid.com/products/retroid-pocket-nova-handheldRead 14 October 2026
- Spec sheet
- cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0321/7516/1479/files/12_9c1db98e-b9c3-4fdc-87db-7abf77490957.jpg2Maker product pagecdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0321/7516/1479/files/12_9c1db98e-b9c3-4fdc-87db-7abf77490957.jpgRead 14 October 2026Pocket Nova Specifications image from the maker's product page.
- Manual
- Not available
- EPREL registration number
- Not available
Warranty
We could not find any of these 1 fields. Show them
- Manufacturer warranty (source market)
- Not available
Compare with
Pick a handheld console to see both side by side. Differences are marked yellow.
Variants
Each variant lists only what differs from the specs above.
| Model number | Launch price (US) | Colours | RAM |
|---|---|---|---|
| RPN-8-GC | $229 | GC | 8 GB |
| RPN-8-16B | $229 | 16Bit | 8 GB |
| RPN-8-BK | $229 | Black | 8 GB |
| RPN-8-CR | $234 | Crystal | 8 GB |
| RPN-8-IB | $234 | Ice Blue | 8 GB |
| RPN-8-CP | $234 | Clear Purple | 8 GB |
| RPN-8-WM | $234 | Watermelon | 8 GB |
| RPN-12-GC | $269 | GC | 12 GB |
| RPN-12-16B | $269 | 16Bit | 12 GB |
| RPN-12-BK | $269 | Black | 12 GB |
| RPN-12-CR | $274 | Crystal | 12 GB |
| RPN-12-IB | $274 | Ice Blue | 12 GB |
| RPN-12-CP | $274 | Clear Purple | 12 GB |
| RPN-12-WM | $274 | Watermelon | 12 GB |
Sources
We read 20 sources for this handheld console. The numbers match the markers in the sheet.
- Maker product pagegoretroid.com/products/retroid-pocket-nova-handheld
- Maker product pagegoretroid.com/products/retroid-official-dock
- Maker product pagegoretroid.com/policies/refund-policy
- Spec databaseretrocatalog.com/retro-handhelds/retroid-pocket-nova
- Reviewdroix.net/blogs
- Retailer pagedroix.net/product/retroid-pocket-nova
- Press articleretrohandhelds.gg/retroid-pocket-nova-setup-guide
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