Backlash forces Retroid to run polls for Pocket 6's redesign
Retroid recently announced two new Handhelds — the Retroid Pocket G2 and the Retroid Pocket 6. While the former is technically the Retroid Pocket 5 with a few internal upgrades, the Pocket 6 is an entirely new device with a fresh design. Unfortunately, many fans of the brand have expressed their dislike of the Retroid Pocket 6's design.
Many of the complaints focus on the position of the thumbsticks, which is symmetrical, similar to that of the Pocket 5 and Pocket G2. There have also been complaints about the array of buttons placed beneath the display. Retroid has definitely seen these complaints, and in what can be termed as putting the cart before the horse, the handheld manufacturer has decided to run a poll asking fans to choose between the original and a revised one.
The image of the revised design shows that it doesn't have the user-programmable buttons and speakers directly below the screen. Retroid says the programmable M1 and M2 buttons are now on the back (not visible in the image), while the Home and Back buttons are now next to the left and right speakers, respectively. The speakers are now positioned below the thumbsticks, albeit with smaller slits, in a fashion similar to that of the Retroid Pocket 5 (available on Amazon for $259). However, Retroid says the screen size remains unchanged.
In a second poll, Retroid asks fans whether they prefer the symmetrical thumbsticks where the D-Pad is on top or if they want them asymmetrical, where the left thumbstick is placed on top of the D-Pad, as is the case with the AYN Odin 3.
As at the time of writing, both polls have received over 7,000 votes, with nearly 70% voting for the new design and 60% of voters choosing to have the left thumbstick above the D-Pad.
The question now is whether Retroid plans to relaunch a revised Retroid Pocket 6 based on the result of the poll. If the answer is yes, then it begets more questions - will the new design be sold alongside the current one, or will it replace the current design, considering some are fine with the current design? If Retroid chooses to replace the current design with the revised one, that will probably cause the Pocket 6 to face delays.
Nevertheless, we expect the picture will become clearer as time goes on.
