Questions/Faqs

Main Purpose:

The "DNA Duo" is a portable, secondary display designed to enhance the experience of various mobile devices, primarily handheld gaming PCs and larger Android handhelds. It aims to provide a dual-screen setup for improved gaming, productivity, and multitasking.

Here's a breakdown of what the DNA Duo is and its key features:

What it is:

  • Portable Display: It's a compact, 7-inch portable screen that attaches to compatible devices.
  • Dual-Screen Solution: Its main purpose is to add a second screen, particularly useful for emulating dual-screen systems like the Nintendo DS and 3DS.
  • Magnetic Attachment: It uses a patented magnetic adapter design to attach securely to various handhelds.
  • Powered by the Host Device: The DNA Duo draws power directly from the device it's connected to, eliminating the need for an internal battery in the display itself. It also supports pass-through charging, so you can charge your main device while using the DNA Duo.

Key Features and Specifications:

  • Display:
    • 7-inch OLED panel
    • 1920x1080P resolution
    • Up to 800 nits brightness
    • 60Hz refresh rate (while the display itself might support up to 120Hz, USB-C connection limits it to 60Hz due to current protocols/chip used).
    • Touch functionality
  • Connectivity:
    • USB-C port for video and touch functions.
    • Mini HDMI port for devices that don't support video over USB-C.
  • Design:
    • Strong N52 magnetic clamshell hinge connection.
    • Allows for "a clamshell design" the screen over the main device when not in use.
    • Available in black, white, and retro grey.
  • Compatibility:
    • Designed with custom adapters for popular devices like the Steam Deck, ROG Ally, Ayn Odin 2, and Retroid Pocket series.
    • A universal adapter is also planned.
    • Requires the host device to support USB-C video output or Mini HDMI.
  • Audio: Dual-channel stereo front-facing speakers.

Use Cases:

  • Dual-Screen Emulation: Primarily for Nintendo DS, 3DS, and even potentially Wii U emulation using emulators like Drastic or Citra MMJ.
  • Multitasking: Allows users to have a game on one screen and a walkthrough, chat, YouTube video, or stream on the other.
  • Productivity: Can be used as a secondary display for light productivity tasks on handheld PCs.

Status and Availability:

The DNA Duo has been a crowd-funded project (e.g., on Indiegogo) and is in the pre-order phase. The creator, Jordan (DNA Mobile Gaming), is actively developing and refining the product, designing custom adapters for various devices. Shipping for pre-orders has been anticipated for late April 2025. There have been discussions and questions within online communities (like Reddit) regarding the delivery of pre-ordered units, but the creator maintains transparency and actively engages with the community.

Will the DNA Duo work with my device?

  So as long as your device supports USB C video without requiring external power example the S24 Ultra requires external power for external displays to work, then the DNA Duo will work for your device.  The DNA Duo also has a Mini HDMI port for other devices such as Desktops/Laptops if they don't support USB C video.

What about adapters for cases like the JSAUX Mod Case?

  I am always innovating new designs, but at the beginning I will only focus on custom adapters plus the universal adapter.   I do however plan to share the .step file for the main magnetic attachment so you could design something yourself.

What about adapters for a device not listed?

  I test all of these devices to make sure they work for multiple purposes so you can use the DNA Duo for dual screen emulation, watching a movie on one screen and game on the other, or productivity purposes.  So because of this, if your device isn't listed it's either because it doesn't fully work (currently Ayn Odin 2 Mini has issues), or I don't own the device to design the adapter for it.  If requested enough I may purchase or find a way to borrow the device as recently more devices have been added to the store and I'm always watching these requests.

Is the DNA Duo an OLED or LCD?

  As of November 19th 2024, we made the decision to choose a beautiful OLED display that has up to 800 nits of brightness and is very lightweight.  We don't plan on going back to the LCD model at this time as the move to the OLED was the perfect choice for this product.

Which adapter should I choose if I don't see my device?

  This question falls under the same question as the case, I will be innovating new adapters based on requests.  I also plan to share the .step file for the final attachment of the DNA Duo adapters so you can design something yourself.  There's also a universal adapter which has yet to be finalized as of Nov 21st 2024, but once it is, it will be available on the website.

Will the DNA Duo work for my phone?

  If your phone allows for USB C video without power, it will work.  However it will still work if you power the display but it won't be as portable.  I will not be making adapters for phones either sorry but it's not logical because there's a billion different phones out there.

 Does the DNA Duo have a battery?

  No the DNA Duo doesn't need a battery as it is powered by the device it is connected to, and it has pass through charging.

Can I cancel my order/pre-order?

  Yes of course, please send an email with your order details so we can process the cancellation properly.  DO NOT simply open a PayPal case for cancellation as this isn't the proper way to cancel an order in any regard.  Just send over an email with your Order # and a reasoning so this is done properly.

How is the battery life?

  The battery life will depend on the device of course, however from my testing 2 hours with the Steam Deck playing 3DS left me with 39%, 2 hours with the Rog Ally Z1E 30%, 2 hours with the Odin 2 70%.  Now these were the default configurations of the screen and the results may vary.

Will it come in Blue or any other colors?

  This question has been asked about a handful of times and even making the DNA Duo grey was a risk I was willing to take.  Black and White match everything so if you have a Blue handheld get the White DNA Duo it'll look great.  Another option is perhaps skinning your DNA Duo with a vinyl cover in different colors.  I have experience using a Cricut machine so possible down the road I could create skins or ask Decal Girl if they want to create some skins for the DNA Duo.

Will there be a universal adapter?

  The universal adapter design has many flaws because there are a lot of different handhelds and devices.  This includes even niche devices like AyaNeo's 2S, OneXFly F1 Pro, or other Android handhelds that support USB C video like the Anbernic RG556.  So the idea I came up with is that you can buy the DIY kit bundle which includes the OLED DNA Duo, 2 N52 strong magnets, a small vile of glue, and the CAD file that you can use to edit so you can design your own adapter and possibly have it printed with strong resin through JLCPCB.