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Anbernic built its reputation on handhelds that look like they escaped from Nintendo‘s 90s catalog. But a new leak suggests the brand is finally trying something original. At least, for 2026.
A Reddit video shows a boxy Android device with a 1:1 touchscreen. Push on the side and the whole display swivels to uncover a gamepad tucked beneath.
Think Motorola Flipout but built for emulation. The prototype appears in footage shot at what looks like an Anbernic office, running various emulators and sporting two shoulder buttons on the back.
A design borrowed from the Flipout era
The clip from Reddit user Qinki001 starts with a compact gadget that’s all screen. You navigate Android and launch emulators through the touch panel. Then the mechanical surprise happens when you press the side, triggering a full rotation that spins the display around to reveal a recessed D-pad and ABXY buttons.
This shifts the device into a vertical orientation, giving it the feel of a classic Game Boy. It’s a clever trick borrowed from the 2010 Motorola Flipout and the 2009 Nokia Twist, two phones that stowed their keyboards behind swiveling screens. The difference here is the focus on gaming rather than texting.
Why this matters for Anbernic
Originality hasn’t exactly been Anbernic’s calling card. The company’s catalog leans heavily on hardware that mimics the RG351 series or copies the Switch Lite and PS Vita. That’s what makes this leak stand out from the usual rinse-and-repeat releases. The firm is experimenting with a form factor that doesn’t just borrow from retro gaming history.
Instead, it’s pulling from a forgotten chapter of phone design and applying those lessons to handheld play. The boxy chassis, the rotating display, the stowed controls all point to Anbernic rethinking what pocketable means, though of course a leaked prototype isn’t a shipping product.
What’s next for the swivel handheld
Official details don’t exist yet and Anbernic hasn’t confirmed the device, meaning this could be a prototype that never reaches store shelves. But the footage shows what appears to be company staff in the background, which lends some credibility to the leak.
If it does make it to production, questions about internals, battery life, and pricing remain unanswered. For now it’s a promising look at a company willing to take a mechanical risk instead of playing it safe with another retro clone. Keep an eye on Anbernic’s announcements over the coming months, as this Flipout-inspired design might actually find its way into your pocket.
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