When MechDIY reached out and asked if I’d like to review one of their handhelds — the TrimUI Smart Pro — I didn’t hesitate. They told me I had complete freedom to share my honest opinion, no scripts, no approvals, no payment involved. That’s exactly how I like to do my reviews. So here we are — my full, unfiltered experience with the Smart Pro, a handheld that might just be the most practical retro console I’ve tested in a while.
Why I Needed Something Smaller
I spend a lot of time moving around the city, often on public transport. While I love my Steam Deck and Switch, they’re not exactly discreet. Carrying them means bringing a backpack, a case, and sometimes even a stand — it’s a whole setup. That’s why the Smart Pro immediately made sense. It’s tiny, lightweight, and fits perfectly in my jacket or jeans pocket.
It measures just 18 × 8 × 1.7 cm and weighs 231 grams — less than half the weight of a Switch or Deck. Despite the size, it feels sturdy, with a clean, modern design and small details like RGB ambient lighting and a metal finish that make it look and feel more premium than you’d expect.
The Specs and What It Can Do
Under the hood, it’s powered by an Allwinner A133 (1.8GHz) processor, PowerVR GE8300 GPU, and 1GB LPDDR4 RAM, running on a custom Linux-based CrossMix OS.
It comes with a 4.96-inch IPS display (720×1280) — bright, sharp, and surprisingly crisp for its size. The 5000mAh battery gives me about 5 hours of gaming, and it recharges quickly through USB-C.
Storage is simple: 8GB internal + expandable TF card up to 256GB. MechDIY even includes a genuine SanDisk SD card preloaded with games, which means you can start playing right out of the box — no setup, no searching for ROMs.
Out of the box, it supports 20+ emulators: NES, SNES, Game Boy, Mega Drive, PlayStation, Dreamcast, PSP, and more. Built on RetroArch, it can easily handle more cores if you want to expand.
Gaming Experience: Surprisingly Smooth
So how does it actually perform? Honestly, better than I expected. I tested GTA: Vice City Stories (PSP), Metroid Fusion (GBA), Street Fighter II, and Crash Tag Team Racing. Everything ran smoothly with great frame rates. The device barely warmed up, and load times were quick.
The nostalgia hit was real. Playing Batman on Game Boy and Solar Strike instantly brought back memories I hadn’t felt in years — that’s something only a great retro console can do.
Controls, OS, and Features
The CrossMix OS deserves credit — it’s fast, stable, and beautifully simple. It boots directly into your game library with features like:
- Auto-save and quick resume
- Wi-Fi multiplayer and Bluetooth controller support
- PC streaming with Moonlight
- File management, music, and video playback
The D-pad feels excellent for 2D games, and the buttons are crisp. The L2/R2 triggers could be firmer, and the joysticks are small and stiff — functional, but not ideal for long sessions. The rear-facing speakers sound a bit muffled, but that’s a minor issue given everything else this device gets right.
A Note on MechDIY’s Support
When my review unit was shipped, there was a minor hiccup with the courier. MechDIY’s support team stepped in immediately, resolved everything quickly, and handled it like pros. That experience alone told me a lot about the company — they genuinely care about their customers.
Final Verdict: A Retro Gem That Fits in Your Pocket
After weeks of use, I can confidently say that the TrimUI Smart Pro is the perfect blend of portability, nostalgia, and practicality. It’s small enough to carry anywhere, powerful enough to handle most retro titles, and easy enough for anyone to pick up and play.
Whether you’re commuting, traveling, or just relaxing at home, this is the handheld that makes gaming fun again — without the bulk.
If you’re considering one, MechDIY currently offers 12% off with code PF12.
So yeah — the TrimUI Smart Pro is a little device that brought me a big smile.
It’s not just a console. It’s a pocket-sized time machine.
