Part Nintendo Switch, part DS: This gaming handheld shape-shifts on demand

Why it matters: The handheld gaming market is no stranger to innovation, but some devices can be more innovative than others. One of these is the rather sweet-sounding OneXSugar Sugar 1. The chunky device, with its 6.01-inch main display, features a cleverly integrated 3.92-inch secondary screen that slides out and flips up, transforming the Sugar 1 into a dual-screen setup on demand.

The OneXSugar Sugar 1 is the brainchild of One Netbook, the Chinese company behind the OneXPlayer line of handheld gaming PCs, and SugarCubes, a design firm known for its offbeat handheld creations. When everything’s folded up, the device resembles the Nintendo Switch.

However, that’s where the similarity ends. Unlike the Switch’s detachable Joy-Cons, the controllers on the Sugar 1 swing upward, transforming the device into a dual-screen setup reminiscent of the Nintendo DS.

If you’ve ever wondered what would happen if the Nintendo Switch and a Nintendo DS fused together, the OneXSugar Sugar 1 might just be the answer.

The controllers also feature “magnetic” joysticks, though the exact meaning remains unclear. It either refers to Hall effect sticks or the gamepads snapping into place.

As for the platform, the device runs on Android and is powered by Qualcomm’s Snapdragon G3 Gen 3 processor. Qualcomm claims the new chip delivers a 30% boost in CPU performance and a 28% bump in GPU performance compared to its predecessor, the Snapdragon G3x Gen 2.

But let’s be real – the stars of the show here are those dual screens. The emulation community, in particular, is probably already drooling over the idea of playing DS games on a device that mimics the original hardware’s form factor.

That said, the OneXSugar isn’t without its quirks. For one, it ditches the traditional D-pad and action button layout in favor of two symmetrical sets of action buttons. This odd choice appears to be a byproduct of the flip-and-rotate design, enabling use with either screen positioned on top. It’s a clever solution, but it might take some getting used to for traditional gamers.

One thing the OneXSugar won’t be is a Windows gaming handheld. Qualcomm has made it clear that, for now at least, the focus is squarely on Android. A company spokesperson hinted to The Verge that China’s massive Android gaming market would be a key driver for devices like this.

The OneXSugar is set to hit Indiegogo for preorders this May, though pricing and availability details are still under wraps.

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