My Review of Trimui Smart Pro
The world of handheld gaming consoles is vast, with giants like Nintendo and Sony, but sometimes a surprise entry catches your eye. That’s exactly what happened when I got my hands on the Trimui Smart Pro. At first glance, it winked at me like a sleek gadget out of a spy movie. But as we all know, looks can be deceiving. So, let’s dive deep and see if this gadget is worth your time and money. Btw, it was only $70!
Unboxing Trimui Smart Pro
Unboxing the Trimui Smart Pro, I was immediately taken back to the days of the Game Boy. Its design, reminiscent of the iconic handheld but with a modern twist, had me intrigued. The unit feels sturdy, and despite its size, it’s not too heavy. The matte plastic gives it an expensive feel, which is surprising given its price.
Turning it on, the screen came to life. At almost 5 inches, it’s a decent size for a handheld, and the colors popped. Playing in the dark, the vibrant screen was like having a private cinema. So far, so good.
The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly of Controls
The Good
The analog sticks, despite being smaller than what you might be used to, are quite responsive. The little lights around them might be a gimmick, but they’re a fun one. Plus, playing games from various systems felt seamless, thanks to these sticks.
The Bad
Sadly, it wasn’t all smooth sailing. The D-pad left much to be desired. It’s small and the buttons hardly move. Imagine playing a game where precision is key, and your controls don’t cooperate – frustrating, right? That was my experience with any game requiring more than a simple press.
The Ugly
Heat. This console gets warm. Not “hot potato” warm but enough to make you notice, especially during longer gaming sessions. It’s worth mentioning, though, it’s not a deal-breaker but something to be aware of.
Performance of Trimui Smart Pro
The Trimui Smart Pro is powered by a brain called the Allwinner A133 Plus chipset. It sounds fancy, and for the most part, it does the job. Old-school games? No problem. The console breezes through them. PlayStation 1 games? Mostly smooth sailing. However, as soon as we venture into more demanding territory like Dreamcast or N64 games, it’s a mixed bag.
Playing PSP games was hit or miss, with many of the more demanding titles stuttering. It’s a shame, as the screen seemed perfect for those games. Yet, not all hope is lost. Thanks to its Linux-based system, navigating menus and setting up games is relatively straightforward. And with pre-loaded games and artwork, it’s ready from the get-go.
Battery Life and Other Niceties
Battery life is a bright spot. I managed about five hours on a single charge, which is decent for a console that’s not too demanding on your wallet. The option to load up games via MicroSD means the adventures never have to end.
As for the unique features? The TATE mode is brilliant. Playing vertical arcade games the way they were meant to be played felt like a time machine. It brought a genuine smile to my face.
Final Thoughts – To Buy or Not to Buy?
The Trimui Smart Pro walks a fine line. Its design is sleek, the screen is beautiful, and when it comes to playing less demanding titles, it’s a joy. The issues with the D-pad and the heating can be overlookable, given its affordable price.
For someone looking to dive into nostalgia without breaking the bank or for a portable console that won’t leave you too heartbroken if it gets a little banged up in your travels, the Trimui Smart Pro is a worthy contender. Yet, the performance issues with more demanding games mean it might not replace other devices in your collection.
If you’re in the market for something casual to relive the classics, give it a go. Just keep your expectations in check, and you might find a surprising little friend in the Trimui Smart Pro.
Pros:
- Sleek and sturdy design
- Beautiful screen
- Decent battery life
- User-friendly OS
Cons:
- D-pad could be better
- Heats up with extended use
- Struggles with more demanding games
Overall, I can definitely recommend Trimui Smart Pro. It works really well for my needs, it’s got great screen and battery.