Anbernic Launches Official Replacement Parts Store in Major Win for Right to Repair
The retro gaming manufacturer is now selling screens, batteries, and motherboards directly to consumers, extending the lifespan of its popular handhelds.
By Factlen Editorial Team
- Retro Gaming Community
- Celebrates the move for extending the life of beloved devices and enabling custom hardware mods.
- Right to Repair Advocates
- Views the official parts pipeline as a crucial step for reducing e-waste in the budget electronics market.
- Tech Industry Analysts
- Notes the business shift from forcing new hardware upgrades to supporting long-term device ecosystems.
What's not represented
- · Third-party parts manufacturers who may lose business
- · E-waste recycling facilities handling discarded electronics
Why this matters
This move proves that even budget electronics do not have to be disposable. By empowering users to fix their own devices, Anbernic is saving consumers money, significantly reducing electronic waste, and setting a new standard for niche hardware manufacturers.
Key points
- Anbernic has launched an official replacement parts store for 38 of its retro gaming handhelds.
- Users can now purchase screens, batteries, shells, and motherboards directly from the manufacturer.
- Prices range from $3 for simple buttons to $236 for high-end motherboards.
- The move is celebrated as a major win for the Right to Repair movement and reducing e-waste.
- The company does not provide repair guides or warranties for the aftermarket parts.
For years, when a budget retro gaming handheld suffered a cracked screen or a drifting joystick, the device was often destined for the trash. Now, Anbernic—one of the most prolific manufacturers in the retro handheld space—is changing that narrative by launching a dedicated replacement parts store.[1][2][3]
Accessible via a new "Product Accessories" webpage, the program allows users to purchase individual components for 38 different handheld models. The inventory ranges from older devices like the RG350P to newer releases such as the RG406H and the Windows-based WIN600.[1][2][3][5]
The pricing structure is designed to be accessible, starting as low as $3 for face buttons and conductive rubber pads. Replacement screens hover around $66, while entire motherboards for high-end devices like the WIN600 top out at $236.[1][2][3]
Previously, Anbernic customers facing hardware failures had to navigate a frustrating maze. Users either had to plead with official customer support for a replacement device or scour third-party marketplaces like AliExpress and Taobao, hoping to find a compatible part from an unofficial seller.[3][4]
The launch of the official parts store eliminates that guesswork. Customers simply select their device model, specify the exact color, and add the required component to their cart. However, the company warns buyers to be precise, noting that it will not accept claims if a user orders the wrong part for their specific hardware revision.[1][2][3][5]
The launch of the official parts store eliminates that guesswork.
The move is being hailed as a significant victory for the Right to Repair movement. While massive tech giants like Apple have recently introduced self-service repair programs, it is exceedingly rare for budget-friendly, high-volume electronics manufacturers to offer official pipelines for consumer repairs.[1][6][7]
By providing direct access to batteries, shells, and screens, Anbernic is actively extending the lifespan of its products and reducing electronic waste. A faulty USB-C port or a degraded battery no longer signifies the end of a console's usable life.[2][6][8]
Beyond simple repairs, the parts store has energized the handheld modding community. Enthusiasts can now easily source different colored shells and buttons to create custom aesthetics without having to cannibalize multiple working units.[2][4]
In extreme cases, the parts catalog is so comprehensive that users could theoretically build an entire device from scratch. For the WIN600, purchasing every individual component would cost roughly $355—slightly more than buying a pre-assembled unit, but a testament to the thoroughness of the parts list.[2][3]
There are some caveats for prospective DIY repairers. Anbernic is currently only supplying the hardware; the company does not provide step-by-step repair guides or instructional teardowns.[1][5]
Furthermore, the aftermarket parts do not come with standard warranty coverage, and international shipping times for sensitive components like lithium-ion batteries may be extended due to regional restrictions. Users will still need to rely on community-created tutorials and their own technical know-how to successfully install the components.[1][3][4][5]
Despite these hurdles, the retro gaming community has overwhelmingly embraced the initiative. Industry watchers note that Anbernic's decision sets a new, consumer-friendly standard for the niche handheld market, placing immediate pressure on competitors to offer similar repairability options.[2][3][4][7]
How we got here
2017
Anbernic is founded, quickly becoming a dominant player in the budget retro handheld gaming market.
April 2022
Apple launches its Self Service Repair program, signaling a major shift in the tech industry's approach to consumer repairs.
Early 2026
Anbernic users express growing frustration over the difficulty of sourcing reliable replacement parts for aging devices.
June 2026
Anbernic officially launches its dedicated replacement parts store, offering components for 38 different handheld models.
Viewpoints in depth
Retro Handheld Enthusiasts
Gamers view the parts store as a massive quality-of-life improvement.
For the community that collects and plays these devices, hardware degradation is a constant frustration. Joysticks inevitably develop drift, and lithium-ion batteries lose their charge capacity over time. Enthusiasts argue that having a reliable, official source for these components—rather than gambling on unverified third-party sellers—makes investing in the Anbernic ecosystem much safer. Furthermore, the modding community is thrilled by the prospect of buying alternate-colored shells and buttons to create personalized, custom-built consoles.
Right to Repair Advocates
Environmentalists see this as a necessary shift away from disposable electronics.
Advocates have long criticized the budget electronics industry for producing 'throwaway' devices that are cheaper to replace than to fix. By offering a comprehensive parts catalog, Anbernic is directly combating e-waste. Right to Repair proponents argue that this model proves that even high-volume, low-margin manufacturers can successfully implement sustainable repair pipelines, setting a precedent that larger tech companies should follow.
Consumer Tech Analysts
Industry watchers note the strategic brand-building benefits of the move.
From a business perspective, analysts point out that Anbernic is transitioning from a company that simply churns out new hardware every few months to one that supports a long-term ecosystem. While selling parts might slightly cannibalize new device sales in the short term, it builds immense brand loyalty. Analysts suggest this consumer-friendly approach will pressure rival manufacturers to establish their own repair programs to remain competitive.
What we don't know
- Whether Anbernic will eventually release official step-by-step repair guides to accompany the parts.
- If rival retro handheld manufacturers will launch their own official parts stores in response.
- How international shipping restrictions on lithium-ion batteries will affect global customers' ability to order replacements.
Key terms
- Right to Repair
- A consumer rights movement advocating for the ability of individuals to repair their own electronic devices without manufacturer restrictions.
- Stick Drift
- A common hardware defect where a controller's joystick registers movement even when it is not being touched, often requiring a replacement part.
- Conductive Rubber Pad
- The soft silicone membrane placed beneath a device's buttons that registers a press on the motherboard's contact points.
- Motherboard
- The main printed circuit board in a device that holds the central processing unit, memory, and connectors for other peripherals.
Frequently asked
Which Anbernic models are supported by the parts store?
The store currently offers replacement parts for 38 different handheld models, ranging from older devices like the RG350P to newer releases like the RG406H and WIN600.
Does Anbernic provide step-by-step repair instructions?
No. While the company supplies the official hardware, it does not offer repair guides. Users must rely on their own DIY skills or community-created tutorials.
Are the replacement parts covered by a warranty?
No. Anbernic explicitly states that these aftermarket replacement parts do not include standard warranty coverage.
Can I build an entire console from spare parts?
Theoretically, yes. For certain models like the WIN600, every individual component is available for purchase, though building it from scratch costs slightly more than buying a pre-assembled unit.
Sources
Source coverage
8 outlets
3 viewpoints surfaced
[1]EngadgetTech Industry Analysts
Anbernic now has a store page where you can buy replacement parts for its handhelds
Read on Engadget →[2]Retro HandheldsRetro Gaming Community
Anbernic Opens Parts Store for Repairs
Read on Retro Handhelds →[3]NotebookcheckTech Industry Analysts
Anbernic's retro handhelds just became much easier to repair
Read on Notebookcheck →[4]r/SBCGamingRetro Gaming Community
Official Anbernic Replacement parts...
Read on r/SBCGaming →[5]Anbernic Official StoreTech Industry Analysts
Product Accessories and Replacement Parts
Read on Anbernic Official Store →[6]iFixitRight to Repair Advocates
The Right to Repair: Empowering Consumers to Fix Their Own Devices
Read on iFixit →[7]The VergeRight to Repair Advocates
Right to Repair is finally coming for your favorite niche gadgets
Read on The Verge →[8]U.S. PIRGRight to Repair Advocates
Right to Repair: Reducing E-Waste Through Consumer Empowerment
Read on U.S. PIRG →
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