The TrimUI Brick from MechDIY arrives promising a gateway to retro gaming in your pocket, and it certainly makes a strong first impression. Alongside the sleek handheld comes a generous 256GB microSD card, ready to be populated with your personal collection. The question is: does this compact device deliver a truly compelling retro experience, or is it another contender lost in the crowded handheld market? We dove deep into our personal libraries to put the TrimUI Brick through its paces.
Design & Build Quality: Solid in the Hand, Retro in Spirit
Picking up the TrimUI Brick, the first thing that strikes you is its surprisingly solid construction. While clad in ABS plastic, it avoids feeling cheap or flimsy, offering a reassuring heft that belies its budget-friendly price. It’s a clear step up in build quality from some of its contemporaries. The inclusion of a metal backplate adds a touch of premium flair and structural rigidity.
Its vertical form factor and dimensions place it squarely in the Miyoo Mini+ ballpark, making it genuinely pocketable – a key consideration for an EDC device. The clean, minimalist design won’t turn heads, but it exudes a certain understated retro charm. Subtle LED accents in the face buttons and a rear light bar offer a touch of customization. The inclusion of interchangeable shoulder buttons is a smart move, allowing for a degree of personalization in feel. The primary face buttons offer a satisfying click, and the D-pad feels responsive and accurate, crucial for the retro titles it aims to emulate. For those looking for a well-built, no-nonsense device to house their personal retro library, the TrimUI Brick makes a solid first impression.
Score: 9 out of 10 – Great
Controls: Clicky Buttons and a Capable D-Pad, But Shoulder Buttons Need Work
The tactile feedback from the TrimUI Brick’s face buttons is solid. The micro switches provide a satisfying click, offering a good sense of responsiveness. The D-pad is also a highlight, offering accurate and reliable directional input – essential for the 8-bit and 16-bit eras it aims to emulate.
However, the shoulder buttons are a bit of a mixed bag. While the inclusion of interchangeable sets is a commendable idea, the default L1 and R1 buttons feel somewhat mushy and lack the satisfying click of the face buttons. The L2 and R2 triggers also feel a bit awkward to reach and press comfortably. While the customization is appreciated, the out-of-the-box shoulder button experience leaves something to be desired.
Score: 8 out of 10 – Good
Display: Small Screen, Surprisingly Sharp Visuals
The TrimUI Brick sports a 3.2-inch display with a 1024×768 resolution. While the screen real estate is undeniably small, the resulting pixel density is impressive. This translates to surprisingly sharp and detailed visuals, giving classic games a clarity that belies the device’s size. Colors are decent, and brightness is adequate for indoor and shaded outdoor play. While direct sunlight can be a challenge, the overall visual experience for retro titles is a definite plus. The 4:3 aspect ratio is a welcome choice, ensuring your classic games fill the screen as intended. For pixel purists, the sharpness of this display is a significant win.
Score: 8.5/10 – Excellent
Performance
The TRIMUI BRICK uses an Allwinner A133P CPU and has 1GB of RAM. This gives it enough power to play many different retro games. While it could theoretically handle more demanding games, the lack of an analog stick might make some of those games harder to play. However, for games that mainly use buttons and a directional pad, like those from older 8-bit and 16-bit consoles, the TrimUI Brick works great. MechDIY includes the Surwish CrossMix OS, which improves performance, especially for more demanding systems. Playing through my library of Gameboy, Gameboy Advance, and Playstation Titles, the Brick performed flawlessly.
Score: 9 out of 10 – Good
Battery Life: Decent for On-the-Go Retro Sessions
The 3000mAh battery in the TrimUI Brick offers a respectable 4 to 5 hours of playtime with your personal retro library on a full charge. This is sufficient for most on-the-go gaming sessions. Standby battery life is also commendable, with minimal drain when not in use. However, charging speeds via USB-C are on the slower side, requiring some patience. Overall, the battery life is adequate for its intended use as a portable retro device.
Score: 7.5 out of 10 – Good
Value: A Budget-Friendly Entry Point to Pocketable Retro Gaming
Priced in the $60-$80 range, the TrimUI Brick offers a compelling entry point into the world of pocketable retro gaming, especially for those looking to carry their personal game collections. The inclusion of a large microSD card is a definite plus. While it has its drawbacks, such as the less-than-ideal shoulder buttons and potential discomfort during long sessions, the solid build quality, sharp display, and capable performance for a wide range of retro titles make it a worthwhile consideration for budget-conscious enthusiasts. If you’re looking for a high-quality, ready-to-play device with lots of content, I highly recommend checking out the TrimUI Brick with Surwish CrossMix OS from MechDIY.
Score: 9 out of 10 – Great
Verdict:
The TrimUI Brick offers a solid foundation for portable retro gaming, particularly for those looking to carry their personal libraries on the go. Its surprisingly good build quality, sharp display, and capable performance for a wide range of classic consoles are definite highlights. However, the less-than-ideal shoulder buttons and potential ergonomic issues during extended play prevent it from perfection. If pocketability and a sharp screen for your retro collection are your top priorities, the TrimUI Brick is a worthy contender.
To purchase the TrimUI Brick from MechDIY, visit their product page. To see the other products they offer, please visit their website!
