Device hub · Handheld gaming · Desk research

ANBERNIC RG ARC-S

RG ARC-S is a 4.0-inch 640×480 Linux RK3566 handheld: 1GB LPDDR4, 3500mAh / 6 hours, 242g, no touch.

Disclosure: Affiliate programs are not enrolled yet. See Affiliate disclosure. This page is manufacturer desk research, not a hands-on test — see Methodology.

In short

RG ARC-S is a 4.0-inch 640×480 Linux RK3566 handheld: 1GB LPDDR4, 3500mAh / 6 hours, 242g, no touch. Buy it for that official S column. Skip it if you want ARC-D’s Android 11 + 2GB + multi-touch column.

Who it is for

  • Players who want the official Linux-only ARC 4.0-inch / 1GB / 242g column.
  • Shoppers comparing no-touch Linux against ARC-D’s multi-touch Android 11 + Linux column.
  • People who will accept unpublished GPU, nits, and Sold-out availability.

Who should skip it

  • Anyone who wants Android, Windows, or SteamOS. The S column prints Linux.
  • Buyers of RG ARC-D (`/handhelds/anbernic-rg-arc-d/`) — Android 11 + Linux, 2GB, multi-touch, $87.99 Sold out.
  • People who need a published GPU or nits number.
  • Buyers who need a live cart — ARC-S 16G is Sold out on access day.

Key differentiators

  • 4.0-inch IPS OCA 640×480; no touch; Linux; LPDDR4 1GB; 16G TF.
  • RK3566 Cortex-A55 1.8GHz; Wi-Fi ac + Bluetooth 4.2.
  • 3500mAh / 6 hours (OEM); C2C charger named.
  • Console 19.1 × 8 × 2.2 cm / 0.242 kg. Official copy: A B C X Y Z silicone buttons.

Caveats

  • Shared listing: do not paste ARC-D’s Android 11 / 2GB / multi-touch / $87.99 column here.
  • GPU, nits, TDP, and Hz stay Not published.
  • $67.99 ARC-S 16G is Sold out on access day.
  • GadgetShowdown has not lab-tested RG ARC-S.

Handheld-category specs

Same rows on every handheld page (Steam Deck, ROG Ally, Legion Go, Switch).

ANBERNIC RG ARC-S — key specs
AttributeValueSource / note
SoC / APURK3566; quad-core 64-bit Cortex-A55; main frequency 1.8GHzANBERNIC official store — RG ARC-D/RG ARC-S
GPUNot publishedANBERNIC official store — RG ARC-D/RG ARC-S
TDP / APU power (OEM)Not publishedANBERNIC official store — RG ARC-D/RG ARC-S
RAMLPDDR4 1GBANBERNIC official store — RG ARC-D/RG ARC-S
Storage16G TFANBERNIC official store — RG ARC-D/RG ARC-S
Expandable storageDual TF card expansion, up to 512GBANBERNIC official store — RG ARC-D/RG ARC-S
Display size4.0-inchANBERNIC official store — RG ARC-D/RG ARC-S
Display typeIPS; full viewing angle; zero-distance OCA full fit. Touch screen row for ARC-S: No.ANBERNIC official store — RG ARC-D/RG ARC-S
Display resolution640 × 480ANBERNIC official store — RG ARC-D/RG ARC-S
Refresh rateNot publishedANBERNIC official store — RG ARC-D/RG ARC-S
Peak brightness (OEM)Not publishedANBERNIC official store — RG ARC-D/RG ARC-S
HDR / color (OEM)Not publishedANBERNIC official store — RG ARC-D/RG ARC-S
ControlsOfficial page copy: D-pad and A B C X Y Z buttons using conductive silicone gel. Vibration motor listed. Face-button inventory beyond that copy is not enumerated in the table.ANBERNIC official store — RG ARC-D/RG ARC-S
TrackpadsNoneANBERNIC official store — RG ARC-D/RG ARC-S
Gyro / motionNot publishedANBERNIC official store — RG ARC-D/RG ARC-S
HapticsVibration motorANBERNIC official store — RG ARC-D/RG ARC-S
Rear / grip buttonsNot publishedANBERNIC official store — RG ARC-D/RG ARC-S
Battery capacityLi-polymer 3500 mAhANBERNIC official store — RG ARC-D/RG ARC-S
Battery life (OEM)6 hours (ANBERNIC’s published line). Do not rewrite it as a Valve 3–12 hour curve.ANBERNIC official store — RG ARC-D/RG ARC-S
Charging (OEM)Support C2C charger (ANBERNIC’s wording). Watts are not printed.ANBERNIC official store — RG ARC-D/RG ARC-S
Operating systemLinuxANBERNIC official store — RG ARC-D/RG ARC-S
Store / ecosystem20+ game formats; wired handle function named. Not SteamOS, Windows, or Android.ANBERNIC official store — RG ARC-D/RG ARC-S
Weight0.242 kg — shared console specification row. Box 0.44 kg is the carton.ANBERNIC official store — RG ARC-D/RG ARC-S
Dimensions19.1 × 8 × 2.2 cm — shared console specification row. Box 21.2 × 12.4 × 4.1 cm is the carton.ANBERNIC official store — RG ARC-D/RG ARC-S
Chassis / formHorizontal handheld (Saturn-style face-button layout named in official page copy)ANBERNIC official store — RG ARC-D/RG ARC-S
FinishesBlack transparent; Blue transparentANBERNIC official store — RG ARC-D/RG ARC-S
CoolingNot publishedANBERNIC official store — RG ARC-D/RG ARC-S
PortsHD named (no resolution); 3.5mm stereo headphones; USB charging cable / Type-C cable in the box.ANBERNIC official store — RG ARC-D/RG ARC-S
Wireless (Wi-Fi / Bluetooth)2.4/5G Wi-Fi 802.11a/b/g/n/ac; Bluetooth 4.2. Bluetooth handle function named.ANBERNIC official store — RG ARC-D/RG ARC-S
Speakers / audioHigh quality double horn stereo speaker; 3.5mm stereo headphonesANBERNIC official store — RG ARC-D/RG ARC-S
Dock / TV outputNot publishedANBERNIC official store — RG ARC-D/RG ARC-S
US MSRP (launch)$67.99 official store ARC-S 16G (compared-at $77.99), Sold out, accessed 2026-09-19ANBERNIC official store — RG ARC-D/RG ARC-SSold out on access day. 16G+128G $97.99 and 16G+256G $127.99 also listed Sold out. Re-check anbernic.com.
Price bandBudget Linux Saturn-layout (~$68 official store)ANBERNIC official store — RG ARC-D/RG ARC-S
AnnouncedNo newsroom day on the store page we accessed (2026-09-19)ANBERNIC official store — RG ARC-D/RG ARC-S
AvailabilityOfficial anbernic.com listing live (accessed 2026-09-19)ANBERNIC official store — RG ARC-D/RG ARC-S

ANBERNIC RG ARC-S extras

Unique to this line or SKU. Other handhelds keep the first table aligned and swap this extras list.

ANBERNIC RG ARC-S extras
AttributeValueSource / note
Not RG ARC-DARC-D is `/handhelds/anbernic-rg-arc-d/` — Android 11 + Linux, LPDDR4 2GB, multi-touch, 16G TF + eMMC 32GB, $87.99 Sold out.ANBERNIC official store — RG ARC-D/RG ARC-S

Overview

ANBERNIC RG ARC-S is the Linux / 1GB / no-touch column on the shared ARC table.

How this page compares on a desk (not a vs-page)

Desk fact (OEM)RG ARC-SRG ARC-D
OSLinuxAndroid 11 + Linux
RAM / storage1GB / 16G TF2GB / 16G TF + eMMC 32GB
TouchNoMulti-touch
16G cart$67.99 Sold out$87.99 Sold out

Price, SKUs, and what not to invent

$67.99 official store, Sold out. Do not invent GPU, nits, or Android on this column.

Sources

Frequently asked questions

Does ARC-S run Android?

Not on this column. The S OS row prints Linux.

How heavy is it?

0.242 kg on the shared console specification row.

What is the price?

$67.99 ARC-S 16G on access day (compared-at $77.99), Sold out.

Official product page: ANBERNIC RG ARC-S. Tech specs: ANBERNIC RG ARC-S specs.