Introduction: A Familiar Flip, A Fresh Start
I have always had a soft spot for clamshell handhelds. There is something inherently satisfying about snapping a device shut, knowing its screen is protected, and slipping it into a pocket without a second thought. It is a design philosophy that brings back fond memories of the Game Boy Advance SP, a true icon of portable gaming. This design choice is not just about evoking a sense of nostalgia; it also offers practical portability and durability that many modern slab-style handhelds often struggle to replicate. The ability to fold the device in half provides a robust layer of protection for the screen, making it genuinely pocketable and easy to carry without concern for damage. This enduring appeal stems from a combination of classic aesthetics and tangible functional advantages, catering to a specific lifestyle of gaming where convenience and ruggedness are paramount.
When the Miyoo Flip V2 landed on my desk, I was immediately struck by its compact form factor and the familiar clamshell design. It felt like a direct spiritual successor to the GBA SP, but with a modern twist. The review unit I received had a striking black and red design, a look that immediately brought to mind a classic retro style. The promise here is clear: a pocketable powerhouse designed to bring my extensive personal library of retro games to life, all while offering the convenience and protection of a flip-open design.
Before we dive deep into the specifics, I want to extend a huge thank you to MechDIY for providing this Miyoo Flip V2 review unit. Their commitment to bringing quality retro handhelds to the community is truly appreciated. You can check out their full range of products at https://mechdiy.com/ and find the Miyoo Flip V2 specifically at their product page.
Design & Ergonomics: Clamshell Comfort, Mostly
My Hands-On Feel: Size, Build Materials, and the Game Boy Advance SP Homage
Holding the Miyoo Flip V2, I immediately felt the echo of the Game Boy Advance SP. Measuring just over 8cm in either direction and 2.5cm thick when folded, it truly is genuinely pocketable. This compact size is a refreshing change from the ever-growing modern handhelds. The lighter plastics used in its construction contribute to its authentic retro feel, reminiscent of devices from the 80s and early 90s, rather than a premium device. While it does not feel “premium,” it certainly does not feel cheap either, especially given its price point. The shell material on this V2 unit felt durable and resisted fingerprints well, a noticeable improvement over what I have heard about the V1.
The V2’s Upgraded Hinge: Does It Truly Deliver That Satisfying “Snap”?
The hinge was a major point of contention for the original Flip, so I paid close attention to the V2’s hinge. Miyoo promised a full-metal hinge upgrade for the V2, aiming for sturdiness and smoothness. In my experience, the hinge on my unit felt very solid, unleashing a satisfying and solid click every time I opened it. It moved smoothly through its three different viewing angles, which is fantastic for finding that perfect playing position.
It is worth noting, however, that while my specific unit exhibits excellent hinge quality, there have been reports from other users of V2 units experiencing floppy or janky hinges. This suggests that despite Miyoo’s intention and design for a better hinge in the V2, there might be some inconsistency in manufacturing or quality control across different batches. This variability is an important consideration for potential buyers, as it speaks to the overall reliability and consistency of the product line, a common concern in the budget handheld market. My positive experience is a strong indicator of the design’s potential, but acknowledging the reported variations provides a more comprehensive and honest assessment.
Buttons, D-pad, and Analog Sticks: My Experience with Their Feel and Placement
The controls are paramount on any handheld, and I am happy to report that the D-pad and face buttons on my Miyoo Flip V2 felt lovely. They were snappier and more responsive than I expected, truly nailing that tactile feedback. I found the D-pad particularly excellent, making classic RPGs and platformers a joy to play.
However, the analog sticks are a different story. While they felt smooth and responsive enough for quick sessions, their deeply inset placement at the foot of the device is a significant ergonomic compromise. I found that extended play requiring dual-stick input could become quite tiring for my hands, which are a bit on the larger side. Frankly, I would not recommend this device for games that heavily rely on dual-stick controls. For single-stick N64 or Dreamcast titles, however, the left stick felt surprisingly good and perfectly usable. The compact, pocketable clamshell form factor of the Miyoo Flip V2, while a major advantage for portability, directly influences the design of its controls. To allow the device to fold completely flat and protect the screen, the analog sticks must be deeply recessed. This physical constraint leads to the ergonomic challenges observed, particularly for games requiring extensive dual-stick input. This means the device is inherently optimized for a specific type of retro play, primarily D-pad heavy games, rather than being a universal solution for all gaming genres.
Portability: How Well It Fits Into My Daily Carry and Play Habits
This is where the Flip V2 truly shines for me. Its foldable design makes it incredibly easy to take anywhere. I could just toss it into my bag without worrying about the screen, or even slip it into a jacket pocket. It came with a lovely hardshell case, which is great for extra protection, though it does make it a bit too chunky for my pocket. The ability to close it and put it into standby, then wake it up in literally a second, is a fantastic quality-of-life feature that makes on-the-go gaming seamless.
Score: 8.5/10
Display: A Vibrant Window to the Past
Screen Specs:
The Miyoo Flip V2 boasts a 3.5-inch IPS display with a 640×480 resolution. On paper, these specifications might not sound groundbreaking in an era of OLED and 1080p, but for its intended purpose, I found it to be a fantastic fit.
Brightness, Clarity, and Viewing Angles:
In my testing, the screen was bright and colorful, offering plenty of clarity and decent viewing angles. I typically kept my brightness around 5/10, and it was perfectly adequate for indoor play. However, taking it outdoors into direct sunlight was a different story. The screen simply is not bright enough for comfortable viewing in those conditions. This is not a dealbreaker for me, as most of my handheld gaming happens indoors or in shaded areas, but it is something to be aware of.
The 4:3 Aspect Ratio: Ideal for Retro, But How Does It Handle Wider Content?
The 4:3 aspect ratio is, in my opinion, the perfect choice for a retro gaming handheld. It means classic titles like Super Mario World or Guardian Heroes fill the screen beautifully, delivering a pure shot of nostalgia. This aspect ratio truly makes retro games look great.
However, this dedication to retro perfection comes with a trade-off. When I tried playing PSP games, which are natively widescreen, they suffered from large black bars above and below the image. This is a shame, but an understandable concession given the form factor’s primary focus. The deliberate choice of a 4:3 screen directly enhances the experience for older, 4:3 content by ensuring games fill the display and appear as intended. Simultaneously, this choice compromises the viewing experience for newer, widescreen content, such as PSP games, by introducing black bars. This design decision clearly positions the Miyoo Flip V2 as a dedicated retro gaming device, prioritizing an authentic, full-screen experience for its core audience’s preferred content, even if it means sacrificing versatility for more modern systems. This helps manage user expectations and defines the device as a specialist, not a generalist.
Score: 9/10
Performance & Emulation: Retro Powerhouse or Pocket Performer?
Under the Hood:
The Miyoo Flip V2 runs on a Rockchip RK3566 Cortex-A55 1.8 GHz CPU, paired with a Mali-G52 2EE GPU and 1GB of LPDDR4 RAM. These specifications place it firmly in the mid-range of retro handhelds, not a powerhouse like some of its more expensive cousins, but certainly capable for its price point.
My Emulation Journey:
Classic Consoles (NES, SNES, GBA, PS1): Smooth Sailing and Pure Nostalgia
My experience with older systems was largely flawless. NES, SNES, Game Boy Advance, and PlayStation 1 titles ran at full speed without a hitch. Revisiting my GBA library on this device was pure nostalgia, feeling like the perfect fit. The clear 4:3 screen truly made these games pop.
Pushing the Limits (N64, Dreamcast, PSP): My Findings on Performance and Necessary Tweaks
This is where things get interesting, and the “mid-range” designation becomes apparent. The Miyoo Flip V2 is compatible with games from Atari all the way up to Dreamcast and PSP , which is impressive for its size.
- N64: I found that many N64 titles, like Mario 64 and Ridge Racer 64, ran flawlessly on my unit, with the analog stick working perfectly for them. However, some more demanding N64 games might require a bit of tweaking or might not run perfectly.
- Dreamcast: My tests with Dreamcast were surprisingly good! Soul Calibur ran darn near perfectly, which absolutely floored me. Ikaruga also performed great. More demanding titles like Crazy Taxi 1/2 did show frame dips into the 30s/40s, but turning on frame skipping helped significantly. I anticipate that with more fine-tuning of emulator settings, even better performance is achievable.
- PSP: This was the most challenging system for the Flip V2. While many lighter PSP titles are playable , I experienced pretty bad frame dips when playing Tekken 6 on certain stages. The screen stretching for PSP’s wider aspect ratio also presented large black bars, which is a shame. This system definitely requires the most tweaking out of the box.
Emulation Performance Snapshot
| System | My Performance Rating | Brief Notes |
| NES | Excellent | Flawless |
| SNES | Excellent | Flawless |
| GBA | Excellent | Flawless |
| PS1 | Excellent | Flawless |
| N64 | Good | Many titles flawless, some demanding ones need tweaking |
| Dreamcast | Good | Surprisingly strong, some dips for demanding titles, benefits from frame skipping |
| PSP | Challenging | Significant frame dips for demanding titles, black bars, requires most tweaking |
Score: 9/10
Software & User Experience: Navigating My Digital Library
The Surwish OS and UI: My Experience with Navigation and Ease of Use
My review unit came with Surwish OS pre-installed on the microSD card, which is a customized and optimized Linux-based system designed for the Miyoo Flip. I found its user interface to be very user-friendly, featuring a clear horizontal menu for recent games, favorites, collections, and settings. Surwish OS promises a snappier experience, booting 30% faster and running games smoother than the stock OS, and in my experience, the system felt responsive and efficient.
Custom Firmware Potential: A Glimpse into Community Enhancements and What They Could Offer
While my unit came with Surwish OS, which is itself a custom firmware, it’s worth noting the broader custom firmware (CFW) scene for devices like the Miyoo Flip V2. Surwish OS already provides significant enhancements over the standard stock firmware, including smoother N64, Saturn, and Dreamcast gameplay, which the stock OS reportedly struggles with. For users who receive a unit with stock firmware, or those looking for alternative customization, options like MinUI and Knulli are also available. These CFWs promise improved game compatibility, faster boot times, snappier interfaces, and extensive customization options for graphics and controls. For users willing to put in a little effort, exploring these CFWs can significantly enhance the gaming experience, transforming a merely functional device into a truly impressive one.
Quality of Life Features: Standby, Dual SD Slots, HDMI Out, Wi-Fi/Bluetooth
The instant standby and wake-up upon closing/opening the lid is a game-changer for quick pick-up-and-play sessions. The dual SD card slots are incredibly practical for separating the OS from game files. The Mini-HDMI out is a great addition, allowing me to connect the Flip V2 to a larger display for a big-screen retro experience. Wi-Fi (2.4G/5G) is present, and my unit had Bluetooth functionality, which I understand was an upgrade for the V2 and is fully supported by Surwish OS.
Score: 9/10
Battery Life & Charging: Keeping the Retro Fun Going
My Real-World Battery Endurance: How Long I Played on a Single Charge
The Miyoo Flip V2 is equipped with a 3000mAh battery. Miyoo estimates 4-6 hours of continuous gameplay, while some reviews suggest a bit more depending on how hard you push the console. In my testing, I found the battery life to be very good for extended play sessions, especially with less demanding systems like GBA. I consistently got around 5-6 hours of playtime when sticking to these older consoles.
However, when I pushed the device with more intensive PSP emulation, I noticed a significant drop in endurance. Playing Final Fantasy IV on PSP burned through the battery much quicker, sometimes getting less than 3 hours. This aligns with other user reports of faster drain on higher-end systems. This trade-off means that while the Miyoo Flip V2 can technically emulate PSP, its practical utility for extended sessions of such demanding games is limited without external power. This reinforces the device’s primary strength as a retro console for older systems, where battery life is excellent, rather than a universal emulator for all generations, and helps set realistic expectations for potential buyers.
Charging Speed and Convenience: Getting Back Into the Game Quickly
When it is time to recharge, I found the Miyoo Flip V2 charges fairly quickly. I successfully used the included Type-C cable with an iPhone brick. Most reviewers agree that you should use the supplied USB cable provided with the console, paired with a standard brick (not included).
Score: 9/10
Audio: Sounding Off on the Flip
Speaker Performance:
The built-in speaker on the Miyoo Flip V2 is serviceable, but it is not going to blow you away. It is about what I would expect from a device of this size and price. At higher volumes, I noticed it definitely distorted, so I generally kept it at a moderate level. For casual gaming, it gets the job done, but it is not an immersive audio experience.
Headphone Jack:
Fortunately, the 3.5mm headphone jack is a different story. Plugging in my headphones, the audio was clean and could go surprisingly loud without distortion. This is definitely my preferred way to experience the classic soundtracks and sound effects on the Flip V2, offering a much richer and clearer audio experience.
Bluetooth Audio: My Findings on Wireless Sound
The Miyoo Flip V2 does have Bluetooth functionality, and with Surwish OS, I was able to connect a pair of headphones. However, the experience wasn’t ideal. I found the audio to be choppy, and the range was quite poor. This is a minor drawback for those who prefer wireless audio, though given the device’s retro focus, I primarily used wired headphones anyway.
This is a common characteristic of many budget retro handhelds: the hardware often outpaces the development and optimization of the stock software. While the device can do certain things, the official firmware might not fully unlock or expose those capabilities, suggesting that custom firmware is typically where these hardware potentials are fully realized.
Score: 8/10
The Verdict: Is the Miyoo Flip V2 Your Next Retro Adventure?
My Final Thoughts: The Highs, the Lows, and Everything in Between
The Miyoo Flip V2 is a delightful piece of kit that scratches a very specific itch. Its clamshell design is a triumph of portability and protection, making it a true pocketable companion. I found the hinge to be solid and satisfying, and the D-pad and face buttons were excellent, delivering that crucial tactile feedback for retro gaming. The 4:3 IPS screen is vibrant and perfectly suited for classic titles, immersing me in nostalgia.
Performance-wise, it is a stellar performer for everything up to PS1, and surprisingly capable with many N64 and Dreamcast games, provided you are willing to do a little tweaking. Battery life is solid for its core purpose, though pushing it with PSP emulation will drain it quickly.
However, it is not without its quirks. The deeply inset analog sticks are a clear ergonomic compromise, making dual-stick games a chore. While Surwish OS provides a much-improved experience, the initial setup or understanding of its features might still require some user intervention. And while it has Bluetooth hardware, seamless wireless audio is not a given out of the box.
Who Should Buy This Device?
If you are a retro enthusiast primarily interested in playing NES, SNES, Game Boy, GBA, and PS1 titles on a truly pocketable, Game Boy Advance SP-inspired device, the Miyoo Flip V2 is an outstanding choice, especially if it comes with Surwish OS pre-installed. Surwish OS significantly enhances the experience for higher-end emulation and offers a snappier interface. It is also a great option if you enjoy tinkering with custom firmware to unlock its full potential for higher-end emulation and improved user experience.
If you are looking for a device primarily for demanding N64, Dreamcast, or PSP games, or if you require comfortable dual-analog stick input for modern ports, you might find its limitations frustrating. Similarly, if you expect a completely “turnkey” experience with zero setup or tweaking, this might not be your ideal first retro handheld.
I want to extend a final thank you to MechDIY for providing this review unit and for their dedication to the retro handheld community. If you’re interested in the Miyoo Flip V2 or other retro devices, you can check out their full range of products at https://mechdiy.com/ and find the Miyoo Flip V2 specifically at their product page.
