Retroid reveals Pocket Duo's processor; shows off the handheld in transparent purple

As expected Retroid is releasing the details of its upcoming handheld, the Pocket Duo, in bits. After sharing a full reveal of the design of the dual-screen device, it has now disclosed the processor that will power it. While the processor is a Qualcomm chip, it isn't a Snapdragon processor.

According to posts on its social media accounts, Retroid has announced that the Pocket Duo will be powered by the Qualcomm Q-7790 a.k.a. Dragonwing Q-7790. If the processor doesn't sound familiar, that is because it is an IoT chip just like the Qualcomm QCS8550 a.k.a. Qualcomm Dragonwing QCS8550 inside the Retroid Pocket Nova.

While the Qualcomm QCS8550 is practically the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 processor without a 5G modem, the Pocket Duo's Qualcomm Q-7790 is said to be the IoT version of the Snapdragon 7 Gen 4 used in phones such as the Nothing Phone 4a Pro (available on Amazon for $449.99). The product page for the Qualcomm Q-7790 says it has 8 Kryo CPUs clocked at 2.8GHz, a 24 TOPS NPU, and an Adreno 722 GPU clocked at 1.15GHz. It also has Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 6.

The response to the choice of the processor has been mixed, as some fans have expressed disappointment at the choice of the processor. Although it is worth mentioning that the chipset is superior to the Snapdragon 865 inside the Ayn Thor Lite, but is not as powerful as the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 inside the Ayn Thor Base/Pro/Max models.

Until Retroid announces the rest of the specs and the price, it is too early to say how it compares overall to the Ayn Thor. However, there's a chance that Retroid may price under $300; making it cheaper than the Thor Base which starts at $329, but more expensive than the $259 Thor Lite.

Retroid's processor reveal is also the first time we are seeing the Pocket Duo in a second color which is a translucent purple. There's a chance more colors will be unveiled.