Head-to-Head
RG ARC-D vs RG DS Plus
RG ARC-D vs RG DS Plus: a head-to-head comparison of specs, performance, screen, battery, and which one is the better buy for your retro library.
| Spec | RG ARC-D | RG DS Plus |
|---|---|---|
| Brand | Anbernic | Anbernic |
| Form Factor | Horizontal | Clamshell (Dual Screen) |
| Operating System | Android 11, Linux | Linux |
| Chipset | RockChip RK3566 | RockChip RK3568 |
| RAM | 2 GB LPDDR4 | 1 GB |
| Screen | 4.0 inch | 4.3 inch x2 |
| Resolution | 640 x 480 | 1024 x 768 (x2) |
| Battery | 3500 mAh | 4000 mAh |
| Price | $98 | $95 |
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The RG ARC-D and the RG DS Plus are two retro handhelds that often end up on the same shortlist, and on our compatibility grid they grade identically on every system we track. The gap between them is hardware and price, not the games they can run.
Performance and emulation ceiling
The RG ARC-D is powered by a RockChip RK3566 with 2 GB LPDDR4. The RG DS Plus uses a RockChip RK3568 with 1 GB. On our performance scale, the RG ARC-D scores 10/10 and the RG DS Plus scores 10/10. The RG ARC-D grades Game Boy, Nintendo Entertainment System, Sega Genesis, Game Boy Advance as A-level, with Nintendo 64, Dreamcast, PSP in the B range. The RG DS Plus grades Game Boy, Nintendo Entertainment System, Sega Genesis, Game Boy Advance as A-level, with Nintendo 64, Dreamcast, PSP in the B range. In practice, the RG ARC-D reaches N64, PSP & Dreamcast mostly playable but not all full speed.
Screen and ergonomics
The RG ARC-D has a 4.0 inch display at 640 x 480. The RG DS Plus has a 4.3 inch x2 display at 1024 x 768 (x2). The RG ARC-D is a horizontal device, while the RG DS Plus is clamshell. That shape difference matters for how the device feels in the hand and how comfortable it is for longer sessions.
Battery and price
The RG ARC-D carries a 3500 mAh battery, and the RG DS Plus carries a 4000 mAh battery. On price, the RG ARC-D sits around $98, while the RG DS Plus sits around $95.
Which should you buy?
On every system we grade, the RG ARC-D and the RG DS Plus are level, so there is no spec-sheet winner: the difference is the RAM (2 GB LPDDR4 against 1 GB) and the screen size (4.0 inch against 4.3 inch x2). Buy the one whose screen size you prefer. The best handheld is the one that makes the games you actually play feel natural.