Key Points:
- Odin Lite is a customized portable android gaming device slightly smaller than the Nintendo Switch and the Play Station Vita.
- Odin Lite’s 6-inch touchscreen complements the small size with 1080 p resolution.
- The Odin Lite also has streaming capabilities, android gaming, and a “Super Dock” accessory that allows you to connect to a larger screen.
- Odin Lite has a sim slot that supports LTE and 4G connections, allowing you to access the Internet without Wi-Fi.
- A great battery life backs the impeccable performance, as the Odin Lite handheld device gives you around five to six hours of gameplay.
After announcing and advertising Odin Lite last year, AYN finally started shipping the devices around August 2022. To those unfamiliar, Odin Lite is a customized portable android gaming device slightly smaller than the Nintendo Switch and the Play Station Vita.
The Odin Lite handheld device was released in 2022 with a sleek design. It’s fitted with LED lights and other incredible accompanying features, such as a six-inch screen, streaming capabilities, a touchscreen with 1080p resolution, and a “Super Dock” accessory that allows you to connect it to a larger screen.
The top-notch features culminate in Odin Lite’s excellent performance, making it one of the most powerful handheld consoles. However, there are a few areas they could improve on to enhance the gaming experience. For instance, the controlling features, such as the buttons and analog sticks, should be adjusted. All in all, the console is the go-to gaming device for first-time android-based handheld console users.
Best Deal Today
Unfortunately, Odin Lite isn’t available for sale in major online stores such as Amazon, Best Buy, and NewEgg. It is only available on two platforms:
- Odin Lite (Indiegogo)– $227
- Odin Lite (AYN Tec)– $198.99 (currently sold out)
Odin Lite Overview
Release Date and Price
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The Odin Lite was announced in 2021 and was available for pre-orders before its release in 2022. The console’s launch price at the pre-order stage was $198.99 on the Indiegogo and AYN Tec pages. The consoles were sold out within a short period. However, you can still order the gaming device on Indiegogo for a higher price.
The Odin Lite handheld device comes in three different color modules for $227, including a standard $28 shipping fee if you are in the United States. The shipping price may vary according to location, so you may spend about $280 on the Odin Lite in total.
The estimated shipping time advertised on the website is about a month, but you may have to wait longer, considering all the device shipments have been delayed since its release.
Different Models
The Odin Lite handheld device is one of the three gaming models of the Odin family. The devices released with increasing prices include:
- Odin Lite,
- Odin Base,
- Odin Pro.
Features
Odin Lite has unique features that set it apart from other handheld consoles. It is smaller than other portable gaming devices, measuring 224 by 95 by 15 millimeters. Also, its 6-inch touchscreen complements the small size with 1080 p resolution.
The controller segment is fitted with asymmetrical analog sticks, shoulder buttons for those who prefer the setting, and analog triggers. The console’s design is completed by blue LED lights illuminating its case on the outside.
Odin Lite primarily runs on Android 11. However, it has other software that enhances your gaming experience and expands the possibilities of what you can accomplish with the device; you can download and play games from most mobile gaming companies.
The Odin Lite also has streaming capabilities, android gaming, and a “Super Dock” accessory that allows you to connect to a larger screen. Similarly, it has a sim slot that supports LTE and 4G connections, allowing you to access the Internet without Wi-Fi.
Specifications
| Specification | Details |
|---|---|
| Size | 8.82” by 3.74” by 0.59” |
| Weight | 359 grams |
| Screen type/size | 6-inch IPS LCD dragon glass touchscreen |
| Video output | HDMI |
| Audio output | N/A |
| Card slot type | TF and SIM card slot |
| Speakers | N/A |
| Internal battery type | 6600mAh |
| Operating system | Android 11 |
| Memory | 4 GB |
| Storage | 64 GB internal storage |
| Battery life | Three to five hours |
| Charging time | Two hours |
| Warranty | One year warranty |
Odin Lite Review
We pre-ordered the Odin Lite handheld device when it was announced last year and received it in August when the first batch rolled out. Since receiving the device, we have been checking out and testing its numerous features. So, you can be sure our review is based on personal experience operating the gaming device.
Odin Lite comes in three different color models, so we decided to go for the Panda model, which was a great pick. Unboxing the gaming console reveals a sleek design with aesthetically pleasing features. The first impression is that the Odin Lite is generally lighter than most handheld consoles; it fits perfectly in your hand and has controllable LED lighting on the side, which adds to the console’s appeal.
Operating the Console
Odin Lite’s D-pad isn’t entirely different from other handheld gaming devices, such as the PS Vita. It is ‘clicky’ and simultaneously soft, making operating the console easier using the shoulder buttons. However, Odin Lite could improve the analog sticks and face buttons.
The analog sticks are shorter than on the average console, which makes them harder to operate. Similarly, the face buttons have too many stiff rubber connections. So, you have to push them down far, and it’s hard to click them. All in all, though, the design is great.
Connecting the Odin Lite to Other Devices
The top end of the Odin Lite handheld device has a little flap that, once opened, contains a micro HDMI output that allows you to plug the device into your TV and a SIM and SD card slot beside it. This is an improvement from the Odin Pro, which only contained an SD card slot.
The SD card slot allows you to have external storage and the SIM card slot allows you to insert a sim card and connect to a 4G network. You can also operate the device as an android tablet and call and text when you have a SIM card inserted.
©iStock.com/Bestgreenscreen
Screen
As with any portable gaming console, the screen determines its display qualities and your gaming experience. It is s 57.77-hertz screen, an improvement from the Odin Pro, which had a 61-hertz display that often caused micro stuttering when playing retro games.
Similarly, the screen has excellent brightness adaptation settings, which make it perfect for playing in pitch-dark and highly lit environments. You can also set your console to night mode.
Performance and Battery
It would be pointless to review a gaming console without looking into its performance and battery life; here is our review of the two. Ideally, you would think that the Odin Lite is a less powerful version than the Pro. However, its performance is impressive, as you can operate it for hours with minimal slowdowns.
A great battery life backs the impeccable performance, as the Odin Lite handheld device gives you around five to six hours of gameplay. Nonetheless, like any other handheld gaming device, the console’s battery life depends on your use.
Gaming Options
- Includes Nintendo GameCube Jet Black Console, Power Cable, AV Cable, and Nintendo Jet Black Controller for Nintendo GameCube
- The 485MHz processor makes loading & starting the games faster than ever -- no more long load times
- The processor creates 6 to 12 million ploygons per second -- no more slowdowns in the middle of the game
- Supports instructions for incredible effects -- your games will be brighter, faster, and more dramatic
The best thing about the Odin Lite is the design features and the available gaming options. Although Odin Lite operates on MediaTek, considered a less powerful chip in android devices, the device can emulate retrograde games and ones from advanced systems such as Sega Saturn, Nintendo 64, Sega Dreamcast, PSP, Nintendo GameCube, and Play Station 2.
- Contains: Gray Dreamcast unit, modem, controller, power cable, and stereo a/v cable.
While emulation is a tricky affair, with results varying according to your chosen emulators and tweak settings, Odin Lite does a great job with the mentioned systems. In most cases, you will have a seamless gaming experience and occasional hitches. However, you could get the games to run by changing the resolution and frame rate.
Your gaming options with Odin Lite are extended by its game streaming feature. This allows you to play various games from your PC and other gaming consoles that support it. So, the Odin Lite has the controls and display capabilities you need to ensure a great gaming experience. All you have to do is install the necessary applications to expand your handheld console’s capabilities by exploring this feature.
If none of the mentioned gaming options suits you, you could always go for Native Android games. Like all android devices, Odin Lite includes the Google Play Store platform, which allows you to download android games to your device. Its MediaTek chip ensures your Odin Lite performs decently when playing android games.
Games that support controllers automatically act as though you have a pad connected. Nonetheless, your controller options are not limited. Most games allow you to use touchscreen commands.
Odin Lite Pros and Cons
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Affordable | Short analog stick |
| Has streaming capabilities | Stiff face buttons |
| Excellent performance | Long shipping time |
| Small and light |
Odin Lite: Is It a Buy?
Buy it if…
You are a first-time Odin buyer
The Odin Lite is the perfect handheld console for people who have never used the Odin gaming devices. Although it is less potent than the Odin Pro and Odin Base, it has better performance than them and features that its counterparts lack. In short, it has enhanced display features, and a SIM slot that enables you to access the Internet and use all your device features even when there is no Wi-Fi connection. It is a formidable upgrade.
You want value for your money
With advanced performance and improved features, Odin Lite is the cheapest of the Odin gaming devices. Therefore, you are guaranteed to get your money’s worth when you purchase the console.
Don’t buy it if…
You need one urgently
Perhaps you want to want to gift an Odin Lite to someone during their upcoming birthday. Well, brace yourself for disappointment. Even though the device has formidable gaming features, you have to wait a long time for it to be shipped to your location after ordering it. In most cases, the estimated shipping time is usually up to a month after your order. However, the time given is not reliable. You may end up waiting a lot longer.
You need substantial internal storage
The Odin Lite’s 64 GB internal storage may not be sufficient for storing as many games as you’d like.
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- The 7 Absolute Best Nintendo Switch RPGs of All Time: Are you into role play games? We think these are the best for your Switch!
The image featured at the top of this post is ©Dmitry Naumov/Shutterstock.com.
