OneXSugar Pro Review — A wildly innovative but deeply flawed prototype attempts to resurrect the dual-screen handheld era

OneXPlayer's wild new dual-screen handheld is the ultimate Nintendo DS emulator, but it's completely unhinged. If you’ve spent the last decade wishing for a modern, high-fidelity way to play your 3DS library without squinting at a single-screen layout, this device is your holy grail. But before you reach for your wallet, understand that you’re essentially paying to beta-test a piece of hardware that feels like it was assembled in a fever dream.

What you're actually getting

The OneXSugar Pro is a fascinating, if deeply flawed, experiment. At its core, it’s a dual-screen transformer that finally solves the biggest headache of emulation: how to display two screens simultaneously without squashing the UI. The dual OLED panels are genuinely vibrant, and when you’re running a DS title, the experience is transformative. As ETA PRIME noted, "It's something that we've never seen before hit the market," and he’s right—the novelty of the hardware is undeniable.

However, the "Pro" moniker feels generous given the current state of the build. You’re looking at a device that relies on a complex hinge system that, frankly, feels a bit fragile. As the team at ShortCircuit put it, "For something that has so many hinges, it feels kind of unhinged, does it not?" The plastic chassis lacks the premium density you’d expect from a device costing over a thousand dollars, and the software experience is a chore. You aren't getting a polished, plug-and-play console; you're getting a DIY project that requires significant tinkering to get your library running correctly.

The ergonomics are where the dream hits a wall. The device is notoriously top-heavy, and the button placement is baffling. The shoulder and trigger buttons are shoved onto the back of the device in a way that feels like an afterthought, forcing your fingers into unnatural positions. While some reviewers like ETA PRIME found it manageable, the consensus is clear: this is not a device you’ll want to hold for a three-hour session of Dragon Quest IX.

Performance — what reviewers actually measured

The Snapdragon G3 Gen 3 chip is a powerhouse for emulation, but it’s being asked to drive two screens simultaneously, which puts a massive strain on the 5600 mAh battery.

Where it actually wins

The primary victory here is the dual-screen implementation. If you are a die-hard fan of the DS and 3DS era, no other handheld on the market comes close to this level of native-feeling emulation. The ability to stack the screens or arrange them side-by-side makes games that were previously unplayable on a single-screen handheld suddenly feel right at home.

The magnetic, swappable D-pad is another clever touch. It’s a small detail, but it shows that OneXPlayer is thinking about the tactile needs of retro gamers. When you combine that with the high-quality carrying case included in the box, it’s clear the designers understand the target audience—they just haven't quite figured out how to build a comfortable chassis around those features yet.

Where it falls short

The biggest issue is the "prototype" feel of the hardware. The build quality is inconsistent, and the weight distribution makes the device feel like it’s constantly trying to tip out of your hands. When you combine that with the bizarre placement of the rear triggers, you get a handheld that actively fights you while you play.

Then there’s the software. It’s not just unrefined; it’s a hurdle. The lack of Google Play out of the box means you’re spending your first few hours sideloading and configuring emulators rather than actually gaming. As Toasty Bros pointed out, "It's a very weird phone, and it's even weirder in the current state it's in." If you aren't the type of person who enjoys spending an afternoon in settings menus, this device will frustrate you within twenty minutes.

Should you buy it?

Buy if you:

• Are a dedicated retro enthusiast who specifically wants to play DS/3DS titles.
• Enjoy the process of tinkering with software and custom configurations.
• Value the unique dual-screen form factor above all else.

Skip if you:

• Want a device that works perfectly right out of the box.
• Have sensitive wrists or prefer lightweight, ergonomic handhelds.
• Are looking for a primary device to play modern PC games.

An incredibly ambitious dual-screen transformer that nails DS nostalgia but stumbles on ergonomics and prototype jank.

Sources consulted

• ETA PRIME — The World’s First 3D Handheld Gaming PC Is WILD!
• ShortCircuit — I'm Joining Hinge - ONEXSUGAR Sugar 1
• ETA PRIME — Craziest Dual Screen Handheld We’ve Ever Seen! ONEXSUGAR Hands On
• Toasty Bros — The Future of Gaming Handhelds is CRAZY! - ONEXSUGAR

Synthesis combines independent reviews above. Verdicts and quotes attributed to original creators. Affiliate disclosure: we may earn a commission from qualifying purchases via Amazon links.