- What Is the Retroid Dual Screen Add-On?
- Compatibility – Which Devices Work with the Add-On?
- My Experience with the Ayn Odin 2 Mini Pro and the GPD Win 4
- Gaming and Emulation
- Price, Package Contents, and Technical Specifications
- Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
- Glossary
In the summer of 2025, Retroid unveiled an accessory that many retro gaming fans had been waiting for – the Retroid Dual Screen Add-On.
For around $69 USD, this device offers a 5.5-inch 1080p AMOLED touchscreen that connects via USB-C to various handheld consoles, both Android- and Windows-based.
I ordered the GC color variant (inspired by the classic GameCube purple) and tested it with my Ayn Odin 2 Mini Pro and GPD Win 4 2025.
What Is the Retroid Dual Screen Add-On?
The Dual Screen Add-On is an external display that works through DisplayPort over USB-C.
It features a 1920×1080 resolution, 60 Hz refresh rate, 500 nits brightness, and an impressive 100,000:1 contrast ratio, covering 107% of the sRGB color space.
The hinge supports 120°, 150°, and 180° click stops, making it ideal for different viewing angles – whether used as an additional display for gaming, video editing, streaming overlays, or emulation.
Retroid offers the Dual Screen Add-On in three color variants:
- Black
- GC (GameCube Purple)
- Translucent White
The package includes a USB-C cable, a screen protector, and a mounting bracket, depending on the handheld type you choose.
Compatibility – Which Devices Work with the Add-On?
Officially, the Dual Screen Add-On supports the following devices:
- Retroid Pocket 5
- Retroid Pocket Mini / Mini V2
- Retroid Pocket 4 Pro (after OTA update 1.0.0.167)
In addition, it works with other devices that support DisplayPort over USB-C and have screens between 5 and 7 inches in size.
I successfully tested it with the Ayn Odin 2 Mini Pro and the GPD Win 4 2025 (AMD Ryzen 7 8840U, 32 GB RAM, 4 TB SSD).
On the Odin 2 Mini Pro, the screen was initially detected in portrait mode, but it could be rotated to landscape using an SSH script.
Currently, there is no firmware update available for the Odin 2 Mini Pro that fixes this automatically, but other Odin 2 devices already have a beta version available on request through the official Ayn Discord server.
On the GPD Win 4, rotation was much easier – Windows immediately recognized the display as an external monitor, and I could adjust the orientation directly in the system settings.
However, none of the included cables worked properly; I received a “USB device not recognized” error until I switched to a higher-quality third-party USB-C cable.
My Experience with the Ayn Odin 2 Mini Pro and the GPD Win 4
The Ayn Odin 2 Mini Pro fit well using the Retroid mounting bracket, while the larger bracket designed for 6–7″ devices was too loose. I had to insert a small spacer to keep it stable.
The included USB-C cable worked fine but was slightly too long, sticking out on one side.
On the GPD Win 4, the opposite was true – the cable from the “larger devices” mounting kit wasn’t compatible, but after replacing it with another USB-C cable, the display connected instantly.
The main drawback is the thickness of the GPD Win 4, which prevents the hinge from fully closing. This leaves the upper display slightly open, making the setup bulky. It’s fine for stationary use, though, especially if you plan to use it as a secondary monitor or emulator screen.
Gaming and Emulation
The Retroid Dual Screen Add-On really shines when used with dual-screen emulators, such as:
- Nintendo DS (MelonDS Fork) – https://github.com/SapphireRhodonite/melonDS-android
- Nintendo 3DS (Azahar Fork) – https://github.com/SapphireRhodonite/azahar
- Wii U (Cemu Fork) – https://github.com/SapphireRhodonite/Cemu
Thanks to the emulator community and developers like SapphireRhodonite, these modified versions already support the second display natively.
This finally makes it possible to play titles like Zelda: Spirit Tracks or Pokémon SoulSilver with an authentic dual-screen experience on a modern handheld – no more tiny side-by-side windows.
Price, Package Contents, and Technical Specifications
| Feature | Specification |
|---|---|
| Display Size | 5.5-inch AMOLED |
| Resolution | 1920 × 1080 @ 60 Hz |
| Brightness | 500 nits |
| Contrast Ratio | 100,000:1 |
| Color Gamut | 107% sRGB |
| Hinge | 120° / 150° / 180° Click-Stop |
| Weight | ~130 g |
| Colors | Black / GC / Translucent White |
| Price | $69 USD (+ shipping) |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Does it work with the Steam Deck or Anbernic devices?
No – these devices do not support DisplayPort over USB-C and often use Mediatek or Unisoc chipsets.
How can I rotate the screen?
On Windows, you can do this in the display settings. On Android, you can use an ADB command or an SSH-based script like sfrotate (available on GitHub), unless your firmware supports rotation natively.
Is the display touchscreen-enabled?
Yes – it supports multitouch and works as a secondary touch display on Windows handhelds.
What should I do if the display is not detected?
Try flipping the USB-C cable, use a different port, or test a USB 3.1-compliant cable. Retroid confirmed that only cables with proper DisplayPort signal support will work.
Glossary
DisplayPort over USB-C – A technology that allows video signals to be transmitted over a USB-C port.
AMOLED – A display technology with self-emitting pixels, offering vibrant colors and deep contrast.
Emulator – Software that simulates retro gaming consoles on modern hardware.
Fork – A modified version of an open-source project developed independently.
OTA Update – “Over-the-Air” firmware update downloaded directly via Wi-Fi.
