![MiniLoong Pocket 1 Broke My Expectations [In a Good Way… Mostly] @CellPhish](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/vO7xQnMaiSY/maxresdefault.jpg)
Uploaded March 2026 | Updated September 2026, 3 weeks ago
The MiniLoong Pocket 1 had me excited, but it didn’t quite land where it needed to..yet!
For a first-ever handheld from MiniLoong, the build quality is honestly impressive. This thing feels way more premium than you’d expect at a glance. The shell is solid, the buttons are responsive, and the controls have that satisfying, dialed-in feel that makes you want to keep playing. No cheap, hollow vibes here.
But then reality loads in.
At its current price point, the performance just doesn’t keep up. Emulation can feel inconsistent, and for what you’re paying, there are other handhelds that simply deliver more power and smoother gameplay. It’s not bad… it just doesn’t hit hard enough to justify the cost right now.
That said, this isn’t the end of the story.
If the MiniLoong Pocket 1 gets proper custom firmware support down the line, things could change fast. Better optimization, improved performance, and a more refined user experience could turn this from a “wait for a sale” device into a legit budget contender.
Right now, it feels like a great piece of hardware waiting for its software glow-up.
So the question is… do you buy it now, or wait for the modding community to work its magic?
———Pickup/Checkout the MiniLoong Here———
🛒 Grab the MiniLoong Here:
► MechDIY [Save 16% w/ code RetroSpecd16]:
https://rs-link.ch/MiniLoong_Pocket1
► AliExpress: https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_mLJzwlb
——————————————————
📌 What You’ll Learn in This Review:
✅ What is the MiniLoong Pocket 1
✅ MiniLoong Pocket 1 I/O
✅ Features of the MiniLoong Pocket 1
✅ Gameplay Overview
✅ Pros and Cons
✅ Should you buy it or skip it?
📈 Why It’s Great for Gamers: MiniLoong is coming fresh into the Retroid Handheld Gaming hobby with a solid device that will force the competition to rethink their build quality and unique features. The Pocket 1 raises the bar for new companies looking to enter the handheld gaming space.
💬 Got Questions?
Drop a comment below — I respond to almost everything, unless it’s from a bot trying to sell me crypto.
👍 Like if you love retro tech.
🔔 Subscribe for more funny and honest tech reviews.
📲 Follow me for setup tips, deals, and behind-the-scenes content.
🗞️Want more? Checkout RetroSpecd.gg for Gaming News and Updates
——————Specs——————
🎮⚙️Get the Specs Here:
System: MiniLoong [Linux]
Display: 4” IPS [450nit]
Resolution: 960x720
Processor: RK3566
GPU: Mali-G52
RAM: 1GB LPDDR4
Storage: 8GB eMMC
Sticks: Single Joystick
Connectivity: WiFi & BT4.2
Audio: cavity speaker
I/O: USBC, OTG, 3.5mm, HDMI
Battery: 4000mAh
microSD: up to 2TB
——————Chapters——————
00:00 Intro
00:30 Unboxing
2:08 Specs
3:27 Pocket 1 I/O
6:01 Where to get the MiniLoong Pocket 1
6:22 Pocket 1 Overview
8:25 Game Library
11:20 GamePlay
11:40 using game menus
12:36 Gameplay
14:30 MiniLoong Price to Performance
15:04 Comparision with Ayaneo Pocket Mini, Mangmi Air X & TrimUI Smart Pro
17:45 Get a discount on MiniLoong Pocket 1
——————Links from this Video——————
———Find me on the Interweb Socials———
📲 On ALL Socials: @CellPhish
RetroSpecd.gg
twitter.com/CellPhish
Instagram.com/CellPhish
youtube.com/@CellPhish
Facebook.com/ImCellphish
https://bsky.app/profile/retrospecd.bsky.social
CellPhish on Discord: https://RS-Link.ch/CellPhishDiscord
Retro City Discord: discord.gg/d76bYv2F
Retro Handhelds Discord: https://RS-Link.ch/RHRetroSpecd
LTT Affiliate:
lttstore.com/RS70980
Amazon Influencer:
amazon.com/shop/retrospecd
AliExpress Affiliate:
https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_DkHoWyp
BestBuy Creator:
https://RS-Link.ch/BestBuy
All content in this post along with this channel are for entertainment and educational purposes. Some links provided may be affiliate links which help support the channel at no additional cost to you but may offer me a small commission helping to offset costs allowing me to bring more new content.
——————Review Requests——————
If you or your company has a product that you would like me to give a fair and honest review to please reach out to me via email through the Channel Details section on this YouTube page or retrospecd.gg/review-requests/.
Thank you for your support!
GameOn
CellPhish
#MiniLoong, #Pocket1, #MiniLoongPocket1Review, #RetroGaming, #RetroHandheld, #RetroEmulation, #GamingHandheld, #GamingEmulation, #Emulation, #EmulationHandheld, #BudgetHandheld, #BudgetGaming, #PS1, #N64, #PSP
The MiniLoong Pocket 1 had me excited, but it didn’t quite land where it needed to..yet!
For a first-ever handheld from MiniLoong, the build quality is honestly impressive. This thing feels way more premium than you’d expect at a glance. The shell is solid, the buttons are responsive, and the controls have that satisfying, dialed-in feel that makes you want to keep playing. No cheap, hollow vibes here.
But then reality loads in.
At its current price point, the performance just doesn’t keep up. Emulation can feel inconsistent, and for what you’re paying, there are other handhelds that simply deliver more power and smoother gameplay. It’s not bad… it just doesn’t hit hard enough to justify the cost right now.
That said, this isn’t the end of the story.
If the MiniLoong Pocket 1 gets proper custom firmware support down the line, things could change fast. Better optimization, improved performance, and a more refined user experience could turn this from a “wait for a sale” device into a legit budget contender.
Right now, it feels like a great piece of hardware waiting for its software glow-up.
So the question is… do you buy it now, or wait for the modding community to work its magic?
———Pickup/Checkout the MiniLoong Here———
🛒 Grab the MiniLoong Here:
► MechDIY [Save 16% w/ code RetroSpecd16]:
https://rs-link.ch/MiniLoong_Pocket1
► AliExpress: https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_mLJzwlb
——————————————————
📌 What You’ll Learn in This Review:
✅ What is the MiniLoong Pocket 1
✅ MiniLoong Pocket 1 I/O
✅ Features of the MiniLoong Pocket 1
✅ Gameplay Overview
✅ Pros and Cons
✅ Should you buy it or skip it?
📈 Why It’s Great for Gamers: MiniLoong is coming fresh into the Retroid Handheld Gaming hobby with a solid device that will force the competition to rethink their build quality and unique features. The Pocket 1 raises the bar for new companies looking to enter the handheld gaming space.
💬 Got Questions?
Drop a comment below — I respond to almost everything, unless it’s from a bot trying to sell me crypto.
👍 Like if you love retro tech.
🔔 Subscribe for more funny and honest tech reviews.
📲 Follow me for setup tips, deals, and behind-the-scenes content.
🗞️Want more? Checkout RetroSpecd.gg for Gaming News and Updates
——————Specs——————
🎮⚙️Get the Specs Here:
System: MiniLoong [Linux]
Display: 4” IPS [450nit]
Resolution: 960x720
Processor: RK3566
GPU: Mali-G52
RAM: 1GB LPDDR4
Storage: 8GB eMMC
Sticks: Single Joystick
Connectivity: WiFi & BT4.2
Audio: cavity speaker
I/O: USBC, OTG, 3.5mm, HDMI
Battery: 4000mAh
microSD: up to 2TB
——————Chapters——————
00:00 Intro
00:30 Unboxing
2:08 Specs
3:27 Pocket 1 I/O
6:01 Where to get the MiniLoong Pocket 1
6:22 Pocket 1 Overview
8:25 Game Library
11:20 GamePlay
11:40 using game menus
12:36 Gameplay
14:30 MiniLoong Price to Performance
15:04 Comparision with Ayaneo Pocket Mini, Mangmi Air X & TrimUI Smart Pro
17:45 Get a discount on MiniLoong Pocket 1
——————Links from this Video——————
———Find me on the Interweb Socials———
📲 On ALL Socials: @CellPhish
RetroSpecd.gg
twitter.com/CellPhish
Instagram.com/CellPhish
youtube.com/@CellPhish
Facebook.com/ImCellphish
https://bsky.app/profile/retrospecd.bsky.social
CellPhish on Discord: https://RS-Link.ch/CellPhishDiscord
Retro City Discord: discord.gg/d76bYv2F
Retro Handhelds Discord: https://RS-Link.ch/RHRetroSpecd
LTT Affiliate:
lttstore.com/RS70980
Amazon Influencer:
amazon.com/shop/retrospecd
AliExpress Affiliate:
https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_DkHoWyp
BestBuy Creator:
https://RS-Link.ch/BestBuy
All content in this post along with this channel are for entertainment and educational purposes. Some links provided may be affiliate links which help support the channel at no additional cost to you but may offer me a small commission helping to offset costs allowing me to bring more new content.
——————Review Requests——————
If you or your company has a product that you would like me to give a fair and honest review to please reach out to me via email through the Channel Details section on this YouTube page or retrospecd.gg/review-requests/.
Thank you for your support!
GameOn
CellPhish
#MiniLoong, #Pocket1, #MiniLoongPocket1Review, #RetroGaming, #RetroHandheld, #RetroEmulation, #GamingHandheld, #GamingEmulation, #Emulation, #EmulationHandheld, #BudgetHandheld, #BudgetGaming, #PS1, #N64, #PSP
![MiniLoong Pocket 1 Broke My Expectations [In a Good Way… Mostly]](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/vO7xQnMaiSY/mqdefault.jpg "MiniLoong Pocket 1 Broke My Expectations [In a Good Way… Mostly]
The MiniLoong Pocket 1 had me excited, but it didn’t quite land where it needed to..yet!
For a first-ever handheld from MiniLoong, the build quality is honestly impressive. This thing feels way more premium than you’d expect at a glance. The shell is solid, the buttons are responsive, and the controls have that satisfying, dialed-in feel that makes you want to keep playing. No cheap, hollow vibes here.
But then reality loads in.
At its current price point, the performance just doesn’t keep up. Emulation can feel inconsistent, and for what you’re paying, there are other handhelds that simply deliver more power and smoother gameplay. It’s not bad… it just doesn’t hit hard enough to justify the cost right now.
That said, this isn’t the end of the story.
If the MiniLoong Pocket 1 gets proper custom firmware support down the line, things could change fast. Better optimization, improved performance, and a more refined user experience could turn this from a “wait for a sale” device into a legit budget contender.
Right now, it feels like a great piece of hardware waiting for its software glow-up.
So the question is… do you buy it now, or wait for the modding community to work its magic?
———Pickup/Checkout the MiniLoong Here———
🛒 Grab the MiniLoong Here:
► MechDIY [Save 16% w/ code RetroSpecd16]:
https://rs-link.ch/MiniLoong_Pocket1
► AliExpress: https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_mLJzwlb
——————————————————
📌 What You’ll Learn in This Review:
✅ What is the MiniLoong Pocket 1
✅ MiniLoong Pocket 1 I/O
✅ Features of the MiniLoong Pocket 1
✅ Gameplay Overview
✅ Pros and Cons
✅ Should you buy it or skip it?
📈 Why It’s Great for Gamers: MiniLoong is coming fresh into the Retroid Handheld Gaming hobby with a solid device that will force the competition to rethink their build quality and unique features. The Pocket 1 raises the bar for new companies looking to enter the handheld gaming space.
💬 Got Questions?
Drop a comment below — I respond to almost everything, unless it’s from a bot trying to sell me crypto.
👍 Like if you love retro tech.
🔔 Subscribe for more funny and honest tech reviews.
📲 Follow me for setup tips, deals, and behind-the-scenes content.
🗞️Want more? Checkout https://RetroSpecd.gg for Gaming News and Updates
——————Specs——————
🎮⚙️Get the Specs Here:
System: MiniLoong [Linux]
Display: 4” IPS [450nit]
Resolution: 960x720
Processor: RK3566
GPU: Mali-G52
RAM: 1GB LPDDR4
Storage: 8GB eMMC
Sticks: Single Joystick
Connectivity: WiFi & BT4.2
Audio: cavity speaker
I/O: USBC, OTG, 3.5mm, HDMI
Battery: 4000mAh
microSD: up to 2TB
——————Chapters——————
00:00 Intro
00:30 Unboxing
2:08 Specs
3:27 Pocket 1 I/O
6:01 Where to get the MiniLoong Pocket 1
6:22 Pocket 1 Overview
8:25 Game Library
11:20 GamePlay
11:40 using game menus
12:36 Gameplay
14:30 MiniLoong Price to Performance
15:04 Comparision with Ayaneo Pocket Mini, Mangmi Air X & TrimUI Smart Pro
17:45 Get a discount on MiniLoong Pocket 1
——————Links from this Video——————
———Find me on the Interweb Socials———
📲 On ALL Socials: @CellPhish
https://RetroSpecd.gg
https://twitter.com/CellPhish
https://Instagram.com/CellPhish
https://youtube.com/@CellPhish
https://Facebook.com/ImCellphish
https://bsky.app/profile/retrospecd.bsky.social
CellPhish on Discord: https://RS-Link.ch/CellPhishDiscord
Retro City Discord: https://discord.gg/d76bYv2F
Retro Handhelds Discord: https://RS-Link.ch/RHRetroSpecd
LTT Affiliate:
https://www.lttstore.com/RS70980
Amazon Influencer:
https://www.amazon.com/shop/retrospecd
AliExpress Affiliate:
https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_DkHoWyp
BestBuy Creator:
https://RS-Link.ch/BestBuy
All content in this post along with this channel are for entertainment and educational purposes. Some links provided may be affiliate links which help support the channel at no additional cost to you but may offer me a small commission helping to offset costs allowing me to bring more new content.
——————Review Requests——————
If you or your company has a product that you would like me to give a fair and honest review to please reach out to me via email through the Channel Details section on this YouTube page or https://retrospecd.gg/review-requests/.
Thank you for your support!
GameOn
CellPhish
#MiniLoong, #Pocket1, #MiniLoongPocket1Review, #RetroGaming, #RetroHandheld, #RetroEmulation, #GamingHandheld, #GamingEmulation, #Emulation, #EmulationHandheld, #BudgetHandheld, #BudgetGaming, #PS1, #N64, #PSP")
