Remember when the Nintendo DS felt like the future? The ONEXSUGAR handheld yanks that nostalgia into 2024; it comes with two OLED screens, a Snapdragon G3x Gen 3 chip and a magnetically detachable D-pad that seems designed to sabotage your Street Fighter combos. In a world dominated by Windows powerhouses like the Steam Deck and ROG Ally, this Android-based oddity isn’t chasing raw specs; it’s chasing your heart with sheer weirdness.
The ONEXSUGAR, or “Sugar One,” feels like a modular love letter to emulation fans and design risk-takers. Its 6-inch and 3.9-inch OLED displays fold into a clamshell or lie flat, running Android 14 to power everything from 3DS emulation to native Android games. But with premium Windows handhelds delivering Zen 5 muscle, the Sugar One’s success depends on whether its price justifies the gimmicks. Retro purists may see a dream machine. Others may view it as a fascinating detour.
Watch ETA Prime’s hands-on to see the hinge in action; you’ll also witness the exact moment the magnetic D-pad betrays a combo. It’s chaos theory, handheld edition.
ONEXSUGAR First Look & Modular Madness
The Sugar One’s killer feature lies in its dual-screen Android setup without the bulk of a 3DS. The Snapdragon G3x Gen 3 with a 3.3GHz prime core and Adreno A32 GPU pushes Genshin Impact at 60fps and runs upscaled 3DS emulation smoothly but the detachable D-pad? Pure chaos. Its magnetic grip slips during a Marvel vs. Capcom 2 combo like performing surgery mid-rollercoaster. The second screen’s 1080×1240 resolution feels oddly specific yet perfect for Pokémon Black 2 purists.
| Feature | Traditional Handheld | ONEXSUGAR | Why You Care |
| Form Factor | Single Screen | Dual OLED, Modular | DS/3DS emulation, true multitasking |
| D-Pad | Fixed | Magnetically Swappable | Customizable feel; prone to mid-fight betrayal |
| OS | Windows/SteamOS | Android 14 | Vast emulator & mobile game library |
Compared with the $799 ROG Ally X or Lenovo Legion Go, the Sugar One’s yet-to-be-announced price becomes its defining factor. It won’t match the Ryzen Z1 Extreme for AAA games, but for emulation enthusiasts; many still mourning the Wii U’s second screen; it could be the dedicated handheld they’ve been waiting for.
For another look at what Snapdragon G3x Gen 3 can achieve, check out the AYANEO Pocket S2 Pro. It shows the chip’s potential when it isn’t doubling as a Transformer.
Snapdragon G3x Gen 3 Power Demo
Adoption hinges on three things: price, software optimization, and whether anyone outside hardcore emulator fans needs dual screens. Early previews praise the concept but highlight the jank; magnetic controls often undermine gameplay. The release date hasn’t been announced, though it’s expected to appear on platforms like Indiegogo first. Specs include Snapdragon G3x Gen 3, dual OLED displays (6″ + 3.9″), Android 14, and a modular controller that’s both bold and reckless.
The true test will be community adoption. Will Android games ever receive dual-screen optimization, or will this device survive only on emulation? For high-end Android gaming without gimmicks, the REDMAGIC 9 Pro still leads in raw performance.
Premium Android Gaming Benchmark
The ONEXSUGAR doesn’t aim to dethrone the Steam Deck. It asks a stranger, more interesting question: what if handhelds were fun again? Not just powerful, but playful. It could flop. It could be a masterpiece. Either way, in a sea of black rectangles, it’s the one device that made us laugh; usually while scrambling to retrieve a runaway D-pad.
