I first saw and touched the OneXSugar Sugar 1 at Tokyo Game Show last fall, and I was impressed. This new dual-screen Android-based handheld offers a unique take on the portable console. The system is designed to switch between Nintendo Switch-style single-screen play and Nintendo DS-inspired dual-screen gaming. The portable gaming market has become crowded with devices making ambitious claims, and Android handhelds in particular have struggled to differentiate themselves beyond raw specifications.
Yet even at a demo station, this one felt different. Now, having spent extensive time with the device and experienced its various configurations firsthand, the OneXSugar Sugar 1 emerges as one of the most audacious and genuinely innovative handhelds in years, even if its ambition occasionally outpaces its execution.
The Sugar 1 is a major departure from conventional handheld design philosophy, eschewing the safe single-screen approach for something far more complex and mechanically ambitious. At the center of the OneXSugar is the 6.01-inch OLED main display, running at 2160×1080 resolution with a 144Hz refresh rate, paired with a secondary 3.92-inch OLED touchscreen at 1240×1080. Both panels deliver vibrant colours, deep blacks and brightness levels reaching approximately 450 nits, making them suitable for indoor gaming, though somewhat challenged in direct sunlight.
As I mentioned, what really makes this hardware unique is how these screens interact through a sophisticated hinge mechanism and a rotating controller system. In single-screen mode, the Sugar 1 resembles a compact Switch-style handheld with the secondary display tucked away behind the primary screen. A simple transformation brings that second screen into play, with controllers rotating to frame both displays in a vertical configuration reminiscent of classic dual-screen Nintendo portables.
The execution feels surprisingly solid for such a mechanically complex device, with strong magnets holding controllers firmly in place and hinges that show impressive resistance to flexing. It felt like an adult transformer only with a lot of complex electronics under the hood, and I have to say I was impressed the minute I unboxed everything.
While some areas feel slightly plasticky, the engineering achievement deserves recognition. The company has managed to deliver multiple configurations without the device feeling fragile or compromised. The chassis uses SK7 tool-steel hinge components mounted to an aluminum-alloy underframe, producing firm magnetic snaps when repositioning the controllers, similar to the tactile feedback found in recent Nintendo hardware. Weighing about 486 grams, the device has noticeable heft. It feels solid in the hands without giving the impression that it is cheap or prone to breaking under normal use.
“…the OneXSugar Sugar 1 emerges as one of the most audacious and genuinely innovative handhelds in years…”
The OneXSugar Sugar 1 features integrated Hall-effect joysticks designed to eliminate drift while delivering precise input. These are paired with responsive microswitch face buttons and rotating shoulder buttons. The shoulder-button layout, however, can be frustrating. The buttons are positioned close together and require index-finger use for both trigger pairs, resulting in awkward hand positioning during extended play sessions.
The device includes some strong ideas, but the controls are a clear mixed bag. The most frustrating design choice is the magnetic, attachable D-pad, which stands out as one of the weakest elements in the handheld’s overall concept. While it offers flexibility by allowing placement over either button cluster, it struggles with accurate diagonal input. This can result in unintended commands in games that demand precise directional control.
The concept is appealing, but there is little doubt that ergonomic compromises were necessary to make the console function as intended. As a result, it can be uncomfortable to use during extended play sessions, particularly in single-screen mode, where thumb placement feels cramped. Optional grip accessories may help address these comfort issues, but I really wish there was more attention to how the console feels to use, rather than just how unique the concept is. There are a lot of great ideas here, but usability should have been the top priority.
The software experience is built on Android 14 and is designed with the console’s transformable form factor in mind, allowing the transition between single- and dual-screen modes to function smoothly. Screen mode switching occurs almost instantaneously, with simple tap inputs determining which display receives controller commands. An on-screen overlay provides tools for touch-control key mapping, RGB joystick customization and fan profile management. It also includes bypass charging, which allows the device to be used while plugged in without repeatedly cycling the battery.
Performance improves further when switching to Fusion mode, which presents both displays as a single extended screen to emulation software. This approach neatly avoids Android’s historically inconsistent multi-display support and enables proper dual-screen emulation without the need for application-specific workarounds. Initial setup does require some configuration to ensure screen scaling is aligned correctly.
Despite past issues with dual-screen experiences on Android, performance is largely smooth and reliable. For the most part, the system feels seamless, making it easy to jump into a game or emulator with minimal friction.
Testing was conducted on a prototype unit, and several issues remain. These include a key-mapping interface that does not scale correctly on the secondary display, the lack of per-application screen orientation locks and the absence of quality-of-life features such as a close-all-apps button in the multitasking view. Some high-profile titles, including Fortnite, encountered compatibility detection problems, while Genshin Impact showed occasional texture-loading issues during testing.
At the core of the OneXSugar Sugar 1 is Qualcomm’s Snapdragon G3 Gen 3 chipset, a gaming-optimized variant of the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3. It is paired with 16 GB of LPDDR5X RAM and up to 512 GB of UFS 4.0 storage. Benchmark results indicate roughly a 20 per cent performance improvement over previous-generation gaming handhelds. In 3DMark Wild Life Extreme stress testing, the system achieved a peak score of 4,981 points with 88.1 per cent stability.
In real-world use, the chipset proves capable of powering through demanding workloads, even with both displays active. Practical gaming tests show smooth performance in graphics-intensive Android titles such as Diablo Immortal and Genshin Impact at maximum settings, although the latter may require occasional adjustments to maintain consistent frame rates.
Thermal performance is handled by a dual-fan cooling system that keeps temperatures in check, peaking at about 45 C under sustained load. While heat becomes noticeable near the ventilation areas during extended play, it does not reach uncomfortable levels.
Emulation is clearly a central focus of the OneXSugar Sugar 1, and the device performs exceptionally well in this area. It delivers strong results across classic systems up to the PlayStation 2 era. For Nintendo DS and Nintendo 3DS emulation in particular, the combination of hardware and software offers what is arguably the most seamless Android-based experience currently available. Proper configuration is still required to achieve an optimal dual-screen layout, but once set up, performance is consistently smooth.
There is a notable drawback to the device’s power and dual-screen design, and it comes down to battery life. The 5,600 mAh battery delivers about two hours of use under maximum dual-screen load. That extends to roughly three hours during Nintendo Switch emulation and between six and eight hours with moderate single-screen use. These results are competitive with other modern gaming handhelds. However, given the device’s physical size, there appears to have been room for a larger battery capacity, and I really wish the company behind the hardware had found a way to make it last at least a day with moderate use. Maybe the next iteration can push things a little further.
This is not an inexpensive handheld, and buyers will need to make a significant investment to own one. The OneXSugar Sugar 1 launched on Indiegogo with early-bird pricing set at $599, rising to $799 after the crowdfunding campaign concluded. Even at that higher price, the device undercuts its closest conceptual rival, the AYANEO Pocket DS, which is priced at $1,139. It remains considerably more expensive than single-screen Android handhelds such as the AYN Odin 2 at $289, while approaching the $549 price point of the Steam Deck OLED.
The OneXSugar Sugar 1 is an exciting device to explore, and even after extended use, there is a strong desire to like it. The level of innovation and ambition on display is clear. While not every idea works as intended, the handheld remains enjoyable to experiment with, particularly when testing just how far its performance can be pushed.
Despite that enthusiasm, the OneXSugar Sugar 1 ultimately feels like a first-generation product. It is powerful and genuinely inventive, but also frustrating to use during long play sessions. Battery life is a notable disappointment, and the plasticky feel of some design elements is difficult to ignore. Still, it remains a capable handheld. For users seeking one of the most versatile, emulation-ready devices currently available, few options come close to what it offers. It is far from perfect, but for those comfortable living on the bleeding edge, the OneXSugar Sugar 1 is a distinctive handheld that is easy to appreciate, flaws included.
