TrimUI Smart Pro S is a strong budget retro handheld under $100

The TrimUI Smart Pro S is one of those budget handhelds that makes sense as soon as you understand its limits.

It is not trying to compete with a Steam Deck, ROG Ally, or higher end retro handhelds. Instead, it is built for older games, portability, and value. For under $100, that is exactly where it works best.

The Smart Pro S is an updated version of the original TrimUI Smart Pro, and the changes are meaningful. It now uses an Allwinner A523 processor, which brings better PSP performance, better Wi Fi support, stronger Sega Saturn performance, and a little more room for lighter GameCube testing. GameCube still should not be the main reason to buy this device, but the extra power helps.

Here are the main specs:

TrimUI Smart Pro S	Details
CPU	Allwinner A523 up to 2.0GHz
GPU	Arm Mali G57MC1
RAM	1GB LPDDR4
Storage	8GB eMMC
Wireless	Wi Fi 6, 2.4GHz and 5GHz
Bluetooth	5.4
Battery	5000mAh
Price	Around $100 MSRP

The build quality is one of the nicer surprises. The handheld feels sturdy, thin, and light without seeming cheap. The smooth plastic shell, balanced weight, and compact design make it easy to carry around. It is the kind of device you could realistically throw into a bag or pocket as a companion to a larger handheld.

The controls are mostly good too. The D pad, face buttons, shoulder buttons, and front menu button are easy to reach and pleasant to use. The front menu button is especially useful because it gives quick access to emulator options without forcing you to reach around the device.

TrimUI also improved the joysticks with TMR sticks, added clickable L3 and R3 inputs, included a cooling fan, and made the triggers larger. Those are good upgrades, but the joysticks are still small and not very comfortable for long sessions. The reviewer often preferred using the D pad instead.

The digital triggers are another weak point. They work, but they do not feel great. For most retro systems that will not matter much, but it limits the experience for games that benefit from analog triggers.

There is also no touchscreen, which is a bigger problem for Nintendo DS emulation. The hardware can run DS games well, but many DS games depend on touch input. Playing dual screen games on one display is already awkward, and the lack of touch support makes it harder to recommend for that library.

The software experience depends on what OS you use. The review unit came with Surwish Crossmix OS, which is functional, organized, and easy enough to navigate. Games and apps are divided into clear categories, and scraped artwork helps the interface feel nicer.

But Crossmix has some rough edges. Navigation can feel slow, and the lack of a virtual keyboard is frustrating. That becomes a problem when trying to enter RetroAchievements login details in some standalone emulators like PPSSPP. RetroArch worked better, but the limitation still stands out.

SpruceOS appears to be the better option if you want a cleaner and smoother experience. It adds a better interface and more features, so it may be worth installing after purchase.

Performance is where the Smart Pro S lands exactly where it should for the price. Older systems run well. NES, SNES, Genesis, Game Boy, Game Boy Advance, PS1, and N64 are all strong fits. PSP is mostly playable, though demanding games like God of War: Chains of Olympus can still struggle.

Dreamcast support is decent, while Sega Saturn and GameCube show the device’s limits. This is not a handheld you buy for reliable GameCube emulation.

Battery life is respectable. Expect around 3.5 to 6 hours depending on what you are playing. Older systems like NES, SNES, and GBA will last longer, while PSP and N64 will drain the battery faster.

System type	Expected experience
NES, SNES, Genesis, GB, GBA	Great
PS1	Great
N64	Good
PSP	Mostly playable
Dreamcast	Decent
Sega Saturn	Mixed
GameCube	Limited
Nintendo DS	Runs well, but hurt by no touchscreen

The Smart Pro S is not perfect. The small joysticks, digital triggers, no touchscreen, missing virtual keyboard, and slightly clunky software keep it from feeling premium.

But the overall value is strong. For under $100, it gives you a portable, well built retro handheld with enough power for a large pre GameCube library. It is light, comfortable enough, easy to carry, and much better suited for older games than using a large handheld PC for everything.

For Steam Deck owners, it makes sense as a smaller companion device. Use the Deck for modern PC games and heavier emulation, then use the TrimUI Smart Pro S for GBA, SNES, PS1, N64, and PSP on the go.

That is where this handheld works best. It does not need to be powerful enough for everything. It only needs to be good enough for the classics, and at this price, it mostly succeeds.