Cheap, cheerful, and running both Android and Linux — is this the next big entry-level retro handheld?
The retro handheld market never sleeps — and apparently neither does Abxylute. Their latest device, the Abxylute E1, has quietly appeared online, and for retro fans on a budget, this one’s immediately interesting: it’s a dual-OS handheld running both Android and Linux, priced at around $70 (£69, and currently discounted to an incredible £53!)
Yep. Seventy. Pounds/dollars-ish. That’s Miyoo Mini pricing for a device that also boots Android.
A handheld for classic gaming first
The E1’s specs are modest — a Rockchip RK3566 CPU, 2GB RAM, and a compact 3.5-inch 640×480 IPS screen. But for what this thing is clearly built for, that’s not a problem.
The Linux side handles your 8-bit and 16-bit classics (NES, SNES, Mega Drive, PC Engine, GBA, etc.) while Android gives you access to beefier emulators, indie ports, and streaming apps.
It’s very much a classic-era device. Think PS1 at best, with maybe a bit of N64 if you’re (very) lucky.
Pocket-sized nostalgia
Battery life sits around five hours, there’s HDMI-out if you want to play on a TV, and microSD expansion goes up to 512GB. No touchscreen, no premium flourishes — just buttons, sticks, and a nostalgic little plastic shell that could’ve been plucked straight from the late 90s.
For newcomers? Kids? Collectors? People who want something cheap to mod? This is exactly the sort of handheld that fits the bill.
Where the E1 sits in today’s handheld lineup
Budget handhelds are brutal territory, and the E1 drops right into the middle of them:
- Miyoo Mini Plus – community darling, great for classic systems
- Anbernic RG35XX Plus – strong Linux firmware scene, great build
- Powkiddy RGB30 – quirky 1:1 display, amazing for pixel art ports
- Retroid Pocket 4 / 4 Pro – the next tier up, best for PS2/GameCube-lite
- AYANEO Pocket S – the “I paid too much but it’s glorious” option
The Abxylute E1 won’t dethrone the kings, but it doesn’t have to. At this price, with dual-OS flexibility, it could quietly become the go-to entry-level handheld of 2026. Learn more on the Abxylute website.
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Christian Cawley is the founder and editor of GamingRetro.co.uk, a website dedicated to classic and retro gaming. With over 20 years of experience writing for technology and gaming publications, he brings considerable expertise and a lifelong passion for interactive entertainment, particularly games from the 8-bit and 16-bit eras.
Christian has written for leading outlets including TechRadar, Computer Weekly, Linux Format, and MakeUseOf, where he also served as Deputy Editor.
When he’s not exploring vintage consoles or retro PCs, Christian enjoys building with LEGO, playing cigar box guitar, and experimenting in the kitchen.
