The Anbernic RG351 devices are the best retro handheld devices you can buy at around the $100 price range (for now). So which one should you buy — the older, cheaper RG351P, or the new premium RG351M?
Buy your devices here (affiliate links):
RG351P
Amazon
AliExpress (cheaper but slower shipping)
RG351M
AliExpress
Retro Game Corps 
To me the choice between the metal and plastic is personal preference. Compared to the original handhelds (which I have collected over my life), I prefer the feel of my RG350M device – I do not own a plastic Anbernic device. I don’t want to baby it. I bought it because it is not plastic, can hold up to a lot more abuse, and keeps my originals in better shape with less wear and tear. If these were the last ever in a line of products or the last items that I would ever buy, I would splurge for the metal/wireless because it would outlast the plastic and the inputs are solid – not to mention that it could be refinished for cheap, thanks to it being made out of aluminum. But, all those scratches create character and additional texture for no-slip grip. For me, the weight difference between plastic and metal items of this size is negligible – sorry, I just don’t notice it.
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Hey Russ,
I have an RG351P but decided to upgrade to an RG351M for the internal Wi-Fi and ‘firmer buttons’ (as some have described them).
All was good until I found that it is very difficult to get diagonal directions on the d-pad (particularly S/E on my device). I tested the RG351M and RG351P using Gauntlet and the diagonals on the RG351P are fine. I have found other posts + reviews complaining of the same issue with the M over the P so I don’t think it is just a faulty device.
Might be worth checking this on your devices because it is quite a big reason to get the RG351P over the M.
All the best.
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