- GameHub updated to improve performance on MediaTek phones with Mali GPUs
- Ayaneo Pocket DS: Dual-screen Android handheld console, compatible with emulators
- Software optimization and new drivers promise to match or surpass Snapdragon in emulation.
Using game emulators on Android has become a favorite way for fans to relive classic titles from various consoles and even PCs. In recent months, this trend has continued to grow thanks to software improvements and the arrival of new devices designed for portable gaming. Now, both emulator developers and hardware manufacturers are focusing their efforts on overcoming historical compatibility and performance limitations . This opens up possibilities for those with phones featuring MediaTek processors and Mali GPUs, as well as for those seeking new portable consoles with advanced features.
The differences between Android mobile phones and handheld consoles have been vast when it comes to the emulator experience . However, in 2025, these technical barriers are beginning to fade, as updates to apps like GameHub and the launch of unique devices like the Ayaneo Pocket DS are marking a turning point. We analyze how these developments are redefining the mobile emulation landscape.
GameHub takes the leap: advanced support for MediaTek and Mali GPUs
One of the most talked-about developments comes from GameHub, a PC game emulator for Android. Its development team, GameSir, has just announced a key update for users of mobile devices with MediaTek Dimensity processors , especially those equipped with Mali GPUs. This move means that PC game emulation will no longer be the exclusive domain of Snapdragon processors , which until now have dominated thanks to the power of their Adreno GPUs and the availability of optimized drivers.
The update introduces a "new code conversion system" that allows devices with MediaTek and Mali GPUs to run DirectX games more smoothly, bringing the graphics performance and stability up to par with what Snapdragon users already enjoyed. Technical details related to the transition from DirectX 9 to DirectX 11 have been refined , and typical weaknesses of the Mali platform, such as its poor Vulkan implementation and compiler and driver issues, have been directly addressed.
This improvement means that, for example, phones with Dimensity 9400 chips like the Vivo X200 or the OPPO Find X8 can run emulators and PC games at a more competitive level, approaching, according to GameSir itself, the performance of premium terminals with Snapdragon.
GameSir has also announced its collaboration with MediaTek to develop specific and customized drivers for Mali GPUs, which could mean that in the future more Android phones will be able to run emulators efficiently, without depending on Adreno's exclusive drivers.
New Android consoles: Ayaneo Pocket DS opens up new possibilities in emulation
The emulator craze isn't just changing software, but hardware too. The Ayaneo Pocket DS is being touted as the world's first foldable Android handheld console with dual screens , a concept that revives the iconic Nintendo DS format, but running on Google's operating system.
This console features a 7-inch, 165Hz OLED main screen with advanced brightness and image quality, accompanied by a secondary 5-inch LCD screen. The Ayaneo Pocket DS is powered by the Snapdragon G3X Gen 2 processor, along with 12GB of RAM and an 8.000mAh battery , providing ample power not only for native Android games but also for running emulators of retro consoles, especially Nintendo DS emulators, taking full advantage of the dual-screen format.
It also stands out for its metallic design and 180-degree hinge, its multitasking capabilities, and the ability to expand storage via microSD. Although the price and exact global release date are still unknown, the console will officially debut at the ChinaJoy 2025 trade fair, where more details will be revealed.
Emulator and future driver optimization: the ultimate leap in quality
Until recently, those who wanted to use advanced emulators on Android, such as Winlator or GameHub itself, tended to look for phones with Snapdragon processors, powered by the Adreno Turnip drivers. MediaTek processors have always had compatibility issues, graphical errors, or downright poor performance in emulators, although they could perform as well as the competition in pure Android games.
Now, thanks to GameHub's optimization and the commitment to future updates of custom Mali GPU drivers, the gap is closing . Initial tests with GameHub show that even devices with a MediaTek 8350 Ultimate and 8 GB of RAM can run PC games like GTA V at low resolutions and frame rates of 30-45 FPS, figures unthinkable just a year ago on hardware without Adreno graphics.
Another interesting feature that adds to the experience is the ease of importing games, managing executables, and customizing graphics parameters within the GameHub app itself. It's recommended, for example, to use compatibility layers like "Proton 9.0-arm64x-2" and limit VRAM to optimize game launch, all of which can be managed from your phone.
The future of Android emulation is open to more users.
With the arrival of Android handheld consoles like the Ayaneo Pocket DS and the software efforts of emulator developers like GameHub, the Android ecosystem is becoming increasingly inclusive for emulation enthusiasts . Whether your phone has a Snapdragon or MediaTek processor, the options for accessing and enjoying classic games are multiplying.