Retro handheld device manufacturer Anbernic halts American deliveries
Tariff Turmoil Strikes Retro Gaming Enthusiasts: Anbernic's U.S. Shipments in Choppy Waters
(Note: This article provides an informal, straight-up understanding of the ongoing situation surrounding the import of retro handheld devices from Anbernic to the U.S.)
Here's another round of bad news for retro gamers, folks. Last week, we shared the grim tidings that retro handhelds are set to meet their doom on the infamous tariff guillotine, thanks to Trump's trade policies. Now, a major player in the field, Anbernic, has joined the grim procession, albeit reluctantly.
In a couple of blunt, straightforward messages to U.S. customers on April 17th, the handheld maverick declared war on the U.S. mail service. They slapped a halt on direct shipments from their Chinese manufacturing hub to the U.S. and urged their customers to opt for their domestic American warehouse instead, if they hadn't noticed their dwindling supplies.
Till now, Anbernic offered customers a choice: shipments either direct from China, where supplies were quite often aplenty and took a bit longer or quicker shipments from their U.S. warehouse, where stocks were more limited but orders were shipped out swiftly. Under the present circumstances, it's anybody's guess how long those U.S. stocks are going to last. Anbernic, as you might expect, isn't spilling the beans just yet about future shipments. They're simply sticking to their guns and making clear that they'll update their folks when they get the lowdown on the import duties.
Now, I tried reaching out to Anbernic for a natter, but they weren't in the mood for a chinwag and didn't get back to me. Fair play, though, as they've got a thousand things on their plate, what with tariffs andships and the lot. If you're still hoping to lay your hands on an Anbernic handheld, there's a silver lining: you can still find their devices on Amazon or AliExpress. AliExpress is even offering the classic RG35XX Plus for a cool $48 – a steal compared to the Anbernic site, charging $50, and Amazon, which is asking a ludicrous $80.
So, while Trump's tariffs have caused the usual rise in prices for U.S. consumers on a whole bunch of crap, Anbernic's exit feels a tad more personal. The company has been around since 2017, launching a veritable avalanche of handhelds every year – from the RG350 in 2020 to the RG34XX this year. Their latest offering, the RG557, sports a more powerful processor and OLED display.
This whole debacle has sent shockwaves through the retro gaming community. Question marks are hanging over freshly-appointed members of the club like Miyoo, Ayaneo, TrimUI, and Retroid. Last week, Retroid, for instance, let its U.S. customers know in no uncertain terms that "all shipping agencies will not accept U.S. bound packages from China starting April 25." Retroid had been shipping its new Retroid Pocket Classic to U.S.-based customers, though the Teal, Kiwi, and Berry colorways were scheduled for delivery after April 28. Anyone who'd placed orders in the U.S. for those colorways was forced to cough up more dough for another color. Retroid, it seems, is just as tight-lipped as Anbernic about their plans for future products, but given the headwinds from the rest of the industry, it ain't looking rosy.
Now that our favorite retro handhelds are caught up in this trade drama, who the hell knows what'll happen next? Threats of tariffs aside, let's hope for a reprieve for the retro gaming community and for Anbernic lovers everywhere. Until then, happy gaming!
(Enrichment Data Integration: The broader tariff struggles between the US and China are causing shipping uncertainties and rising costs for various products, including Anbernic devices, as indicated by the recent shipping policy changes by Anbernic and the suspension of deliveries to U.S. addresses by Hong Kong Post. Tariffs and shipping issues may continue to impact products shipped from China, though Anbernic's direct shipments to U.S. customers have currently been halted.)
- Amidst the ongoing tariff battles between the US and China, technology companies like Anbernic are feeling the heat.
- Anbernic, a leader in the retro handheld tech industry, announced on April 17th that they'd halted direct shipments from China to the US due to the tariff situations.
- In the future, emulators and smartphones technology might also face similar challenges as tariffs continue to impact products shipped from China.
- Gizmodo reports that other retro tech companies, including Miyoo, Ayaneo, TrimUI, and Retroid, are also experiencing uncertainties due to the tariff-induced shipping disruptions.
- This Sunday, some gadget enthusiasts might consider looking for alternative sources to acquire Anbernic devices, as they are still available on e-commerce platforms like Amazon and AliExpress.
- Tariffs on technology could potentially affect the affordability of favorite gadgets, causing future concerns and questions for both businesses and consumers in the tech sector.
