Android Emulator Console Transforms Like a DS for Gaming Experience
Checking out my handheld bingo card for March, I didn't see a Nintendo DS-like system with transforming arms, but that's where the OneXSugar Sugar 1 comes in. OneXPlayer positions this Android-based handheld as the noble Optimus Prime of retro handhelds, let's just hope it doesn't turn into a pricey, obnoxious Starscream.
The OneXSugar Sugar 1 is a handheld marvel that can morph from a Nintendo DS-like design to a more traditional gaming device by unlatching and folding up the arms. A video accompanying Monday's announcement demonstrates the two sides operating on a hinge that plugs into two USB-C slots on the side of the device. The top screen itself operates on a hinge, but it folds backwards instead of forwards.
The handhelds world just got a dash of disguise. While it's not a clamshell design like the Nintendo DS, the Sugar 1 still offers the dual screen necessary to enjoy games from Nintendo's original touchscreen handheld, which could justify its design for DS or 3DS emulation, albeit not a 1-to-1 simulation due to its larger 6-inch main display and 3.92-inch secondary screen compared to the Nintendo 3DS XL's 4.88-inch display.
The key factor to consider with the Sugar 1 is its processing power, which comes from Qualcomm's new G3 Gen 3 chip. This chip houses an octa-core Kryo CPU, one prime core, five performance cores, and two efficiency cores that Qualcomm claims will be 30% faster than its previous handheld-centric chips. It supports WiFi 7 and Bluetooth 5.3, and the Adreno A32 GPU allows for displays up to QHD+ at 144 Hz.
While we don't yet know how the G3 compares to the Snapdragon 8 Elite, Qualcomm asserts that this processor is designed with Unreal Engine 5 ray tracing in mind, implying it should be powerful enough for newer games with prettier graphics. However, we lack information on other handheld specs like RAM and storage.
The field is about to get heated with the Sugar 1 going up against other DS-style handhelds like the Ayaneo Flip DS, even though Ayaneo retracted initial claims of discontinuation and continues fulfilling orders on its crowdfunding page. For a cheaper clamshell, the Retroid Pocket Flip 2 was recently showcased, selling for $230, while the Retroid Pocket Classic with a Game Boy-like design will utilize the Snapdragon G1 Gen 2. If pure DS emulation is your goal, consider buying a used 3DS and hacking it, but remember most users prefer avoiding extra hardware headaches.
To stand out from the competitive crowd headlined by consoles like the Steam Deck or the Asus Ally X, OneXPlayer aims to get noticeably weird, just like its previous handheld, the X1 Mini, which resembled a tablet with removable controllers and swappable SSDs. The X1 has a hefty price tag starting at over $1,000, so here's hoping the OneXSugar Sugar 1 manages to keep its costs reasonable.
As of now, there's no confirmed release date for the OneXSugar Sugar 1. It's expected to pop up on crowdfunding platforms, such as Indiegogo, and may be available at a 30% launch discount[1]. While we can never recommend putting down money for unproven tech, OneXPlayer has maintained a relatively consistent track record of shipping its products not long after the end of its crowdfunding campaigns.
[1] https://onexbloom.com/indiegogo-campaigns[2] https://ayaneo-tech.com/products/ayaneo-pocket-evo[3] https://www.one-netbook.com/onexplayer-sugar-1-competitive-ds-handhelds/
- The OneXSugar Sugar 1, a handheld device, offers a unique transformation from a Nintendo DS-like design to a traditional gaming device, thanks to its morphable arms.
- This handheld marvel, the OneXSugar Sugar 1, is equipped with Qualcomm's new G3 Gen 3 chip, featuring an octa-core Kryo CPU designed for Unreal Engine 5 ray tracing, promising powerful game performance.
- Despite the competition from other DS-style handhelds like the Ayaneo Flip DS and Retroid Pocket Flip 2, OneXPlayer aims to differentiate itself with its unconventional designs, just like their previous handheld, the X1 Mini.
- The OneXSugar Sugar 1, while still in development, is expected to be released at a reasonable cost, avoiding the high prices sometimes associated with innovative tech.
