Retroid Pocket Nova

TRIMUI’s Brick Hammer Pro U has lost much of the low-price appeal that first drew attention to it. With the handheld now appearing in the $249.99 to nearly $295 range at multiple retailers, buyers are suddenly comparing it against far stronger rivals. That shift matters because the device was originally seen as a more approachable option in a crowded handheld market. Instead of staying in that position, the price increase has pushed it closer to products from Retroid and, soon, AYANEO. Retail pricing has moved sharply upward According to an email received by GoGameGeek customers, TRIMUI has set a minimum retail price of $249.99 for the Brick Hammer Pro U. The message also said all retailers must sell the device at or above that figure. Several storefronts are already listing even higher prices. GoGameGeek shows $287.49, MechDIY lists $294.99, and both LITNXT and the TRIMUI Store show $293.99. There is one exception, but it does not change the broader picture. TRIMUI.net still shows a $199 listing, although the product is marked sold out. The gap is especially noticeable for early buyers who placed orders during the promotional window. RetroHandhelds reported that some customers had hoped to secure the handheld at $135.99 or $159.99. Pre-order customers are being given three choices GoGameGeek’s message to pre-order customers lays out three paths forward. Buyers can pay the difference and keep the metal version with accessories, switch to the plastic Brick Pro model, or cancel for a full refund. That makes the pricing change more than a simple update for new shoppers. It also forces existing customers to decide whether the revised cost still makes sense for the version they reserved. The explanation given to customers points to rising raw material costs. In the email, TRIMUI linked the increase to higher costs for raw materials. GoGameGeek also said it secured an exclusive agreement with TRIMUI to sell the device at $212.49. Even that price sits well above the lower promotional figures that helped build interest in the handheld. Why the new price helps rivals The higher pricing puts TRIMUI in a tougher competitive position. At around $249.99 to nearly $295, the Brick Hammer Pro U no longer reads as a cheap alternative that can win buyers on price alone. That leaves room for Retroid Pocket Nova to look more sensible. The newly launched device starts at $229 and is said to offer a much better processor, more RAM, and an AMOLED display. The comparison is difficult for TRIMUI to avoid. If a buyer can get stronger hardware and a better screen for less money, the value argument shifts quickly. AYANEO may also benefit from the timing. Pocket Micro 2 is set to be announced within hours, which could add another premium compact Android handheld option to the conversation. As a result, Brick Hammer Pro U is now being judged in a very different bracket from the one it originally occupied. A lower launch-style price would have left room for its design and niche appeal, but the new numbers make buyers scrutinize its value more aggressively. Shipping is still expected to begin on July 30 Despite the pricing backlash, the shipping schedule has not reportedly changed. Brick Hammer Pro U is still expected to start shipping on July 30. That keeps the device on track for commercial availability even as sentiment around it weakens. Some users have already described it as “dead on arrival” after the price increase surfaced, reflecting frustration rather than an official company position. The reaction shows how quickly a handheld’s reception can change when pricing shifts. In a market now filled with aggressive alternatives from Retroid, AYANEO, and others, TRIMUI’s new position looks far less comfortable than it did at launch pricing. Source: www.androidauthority.com

TRIMUI Brick Hammer Pro U’s Price Jump Makes Retroid and AYANEO Look Safer