It feels like nothing you can play games on is safe from price hikes right now, and that includes previously affordable retro handhelds. In fact, the demanding AI data centre demons released from the Pandora's Box ravaging RAM prices are also biting at Qualcomm's heels, and portable console brands like Retroid are already firing metaphorical flares.
Qualcomm chips are the beating heart of many of the best retro handheld newcomers scheduled for 2026. Existing popular portables, like the Ayn Thor and Retroid Pocket 5, are also powered by Snapdragon 865 and 8 Gen 2 SoCs, so plans to "raise prices by double digits" shared by Bloomberg are an undeniable omen.
