Retroid joins the dual-screen handheld race with its first true entry

Retroid has built a reputation for making capable gaming handhelds without pushing prices into premium territory, and the company appears ready to try something considerably different with its next device. Following the impressive Retroid Pocket 6, the manufacturer has officially teased the Retroid Pocket Duo, its first handheld designed from the ground up with two built-in displays.

Retroid has experimented with secondary-screen accessories for some of its previous handhelds, but the Pocket Duo takes the concept much further. Rather than attaching an additional display to an existing device, this is a dedicated dual-screen handheld with both panels integrated into the chassis.

The company has confirmed that both displays will use OLED technology. The two screens will also use different aspect ratios, with the upper panel featuring a 16:9 layout while the lower display uses a more traditional 4:3 ratio. Those details are currently among the few confirmed specifications, however, as the company has yet to reveal the hardware powering the Pocket Duo, its controls, battery capacity or pricing.

The teaser images provide a few additional clues about the design. The upper section has rounded corners, while the display itself features asymmetrical bezels. The bezels along the sides appear noticeably thicker than the one above the screen, similar to the design used on the Pocket Flip 2.

Retroid hasn't shown the lower half of the device clearly yet, leaving the second display and control layout hidden. Looking closely at the available teaser material, though, the hinge appears to share similarities with the mechanism found on the Pocket Flip 2, suggesting the Pocket Duo will use a familiar clamshell-style design.

The announcement is particularly interesting because of the competition already present in this niche. The AYN Thor has become a popular Android handheld for dual-screen emulation, making it one of the devices the Pocket Duo will inevitably be compared against.  For now, Retroid is being kept under wraps, but the Pocket Duo could become one of the company's most interesting handhelds yet if it can combine its distinctive design with the value proposition that has made its recent devices so appealing.

As always, for the latest news on gaming handhelds, dual-screen devices, emulation hardware, and developments across the portable gaming industry, be sure to follow our dedicated hardware coverage.