GPD has found a whole vein with its alternative portable consoles. Although people are already with long teeth waiting for the very powerful GPD WIN 2, with specifications geared towards AAA games, it will still be a few months until its next release in May 2018. In the meantime, let's take a look at the models more modest and accessible like the classic GPD XD.
In today's review we take a look at the GPD XD, a portable console whose particularity is its operating system Android -The GPD WIN as its name suggests, works under Windows 10-.
GPD XD in analysis, a portable console type Nintendo DS with Android: perfect for emulators
We must start from the basis that we are facing an inexpensive device with base-range hardware. However, the GPD XD offers enough usability incentives to consider it a good alternative as a portable retro console and to take some games to the typical Android games. Let's take a look…
Design and display
When it comes to design, the idea is clear, a portable and folding console in the purest style of the Nintendo 3DS. The upper panel equips a 5-inch multitouch touch screen with 1280 x 720p resolution.
In the lower module of the GPD XD we find 2 3D joysticks made by Japan Alps, with crosshead, triggers and the four standard buttons, plus select, start, and a few additional quick access buttons (volume, power etc.). A gamepad in good condition.
The case has an elegant glossy finish, it shows that it is made with quality materials and the buttons have a pleasant touch. The truth is that we can ask little more in this regard.
It has dimensions of 15.50 x 8.90 x 2.40 cm and a weight of 300 grams.
Power and performance
As for the hardware of the GPD XD, make no mistake. It is not a portable console for powerful and heavy games. Its functionality is more geared towards emulating classic retro games. That is something that becomes palpable when verifying that you saw a fairly old version of Android, Android 4.4, to be exact.
And the truth is that you do not need more, since for this specific type of use it is adequate and sufficient. The system has a processor Rockchip RK3288 with Mali-T764 GPU, 2GB of RAM and 64GB internal storage expandable via SD.
It also has mini HDMI output and WiFi connection, which means that at any given moment we could synchronize the console with the TV in the living room and play some games on the big screen. The only downside in terms of connectivity, the absence of Bluetooth. It has a 3.5mm headphone output, good sound in speakers and presents a more than correct 5600mAh battery.
You can see more details about the GPD XD in this interesting video review:
Price and availability
The Android GPD XD Handheld Console It is currently priced at $ 181.59, about 151 euros, on GearBest. We can also get the 32GB version for just under 200 euros on Amazon.
Is one of these consoles worth buying, then? If you are a fan of video games from the 70s, 80s and 90s, you are definitely going to enjoy it with the GPD XD. The emulators of the MAME, the PSX, the Mega Drive, the NES or the Super Nintendo work very well on Android, but with a tablet or mobile the experience is completely lost.
This GPD, however, allows you to play Mario, Mega Man, Castlevania or Sonic properly. If you are looking for something more powerful, take a look at the GPD WIN, or better wait for the GPD WIN 2 -And start saving, it is not exactly a cheap device-. For retro games on the laptop, without a doubt, GPD XD.
GearBest | Buy GPD XD (64GB)
Amazon | Buy GPD XD (32GB)
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