GPD Pocket 4 Review – The mini laptop you have been waiting for!

The GPD Pocket series has perhaps not enjoyed as much attention as its gaming counterparts, but we have always been a fan of this 2-in-1 mini laptop and tablet for productivity and industry use. This GPD Pocket 4 is a pre-production sample with HX 370 processor, so some aspects may change by the final model. Let’s find out more about it in our GPD Pocket 4 review and afterwards compare the changes with the GPD Pocket 3.

GPD Pocket 4 Review Video

Coming soon!

GPD Pocket 4 Overview 

Let’s kick off our GPD Pocket 4 review with an overview and comparison. The GPD Pocket 4 ultra-portable notebook measures 8.14 x 5.6 x 0.87 inches (20.68 × 14.45 × 2.22 cm) and weighs 785g (1.7 lbs). Compared with the GPD Pocket 3 it is slightly larger and heavier.

With the slightly larger dimensions and weight we do get an 8.8”, 144Hz, 2560×1600 resolution touchscreen. A nice increase on the 8” 60Hz touch screen with a 1920×1200 resolution found in the GPD Pocket 3 series. As a note, an Active stylus will not be compatible and will require a Capacitive stylus instead. 

In the top left area is a new and improved camera with a 2592×1944 resolution with auto framing and video brightness. Another nice upgrade from the 1600×1200 camera found in the Pocket 3.

Moving down to the lower half of the Pocket 4 we see the familiar layout of three button mouse on the left and a touchpad on the right. Like the Pocket 3, the touchpad is not clickable, so you would need to use the mouse buttons on the left to drag and drop for example.  The power button with integrated fingerprint has moved from the middle area to the front of the device. 

The keyboard is pretty much the same as the Pocket 3 with its award winning ‘chocolate’  chiclet keyboard. It’s backlit and can be switched on and off via keyboard combination, and will automatically switch off after no activity, and light up when any key is pressed. 

The keyboard is a good size, large enough to easily type on for extended periods of time. The keys are low profile and require minimal effort to press. I have been using the Pocket 3 keyboard for a few years now and never had any issues while writing documents, taking notes etc.

On the left side we have a HDMI 2.1 port followed by a USB-A 3.2 Gen 2 port. And on the right side there is a 3.5mm audio jack and a USB-A port. 

On the back of the GPD Pocket 4 is a 2.5 Gbps ethernet port, a USB-C port for charging, followed by a USB4 port for high speed peripherals such as an eGPU. And to the right is the modular port, which will come shipped with the Micro SD card reader module as default. More on the modular port coming up.

The HDMI and two USB-C ports can be used to output to a monitor or TV for up to triple external monitor support which is very useful if you like multitasking!

And the two speakers found on the front side are great quality. It is always hard to reproduce how audio sounds recorded externally on video, but check on our video above for a classic to listen to.

2-in-1 Laptop and Tablet design

Next in our GPD Pocket 4 review we take a look at one of the compact laptops highlights, the 2-in-1 laptop and tablet design.

The top half of the GPD Pocket 4 can be rotated single handedly 180 degrees to show the display to someone opposite you, and then folded down to transform it into a tablet.

I have found myself switching between using both laptop and tablet when required many times. It is a great feature and always an eye opener when you switch modes in front of someone 🙂

Modular Port

Another feature we could not miss in our GPD Pocket 4 review is the modular port on this laptop for industry. As mentioned the GPD Pocket 4 will come with the Micro SD card reader module as standard. On launch there will also be a RS-232 module, 4G LTE module and a single-port KVM module. The GPD Pocket 3 modules are not compatible with the Pocket 4.

Switching between modules takes a few moments. Simply remove the two fixing screws, remove the module, replace it with the new one, then put the screws back in. We do not have the other modules yet, but we will check them out in another video.

The modular port itself is a great feature. We know from the Pocket 3 how many customers wanted one just for the RS-232 and KVM modules. There is no messing about with 3rd party addons, cables or dongles, literally plug and play. This is one of the big selling points of the GPD Pocket 4 and for good reason.

GPD Pocket 4 Technical Specifications

As part of our GPD Pocket 4 review we take a look at the Technical Specifications and run some battery life, fan noise and temperature tests on this compact laptop. The GPD Pocket 4 will be available in two processor configurations.

	AMD RYZEN 7 8840U MODEL	AMD RYZEN 9 AI HX 370 MODEL
CPU	AMD Ryzen 7 8840U	AMD Ryzen AI 9 HX 370
CORES/THREADS	8C / 16T	12C / 24T
BASE CLOCK	3.3 GHz	2.0 GHz
MAX BOOST CLOCK	5.1 GHz	5.1 GHz
AI PERFORMANCE	16 TOPS	50 TOPS
TOTAL PROCESSOR PERFORMANCE	38 TOPS	80 TOPS
TDP	28W to 35W	35W to 60W
GPU	AMD Radeon 780M	AMD Radeon 890M
ARCHITECTURE	Zen 4 (Hawk Point)	Zen 5 (Strix Point)

The other specifications are shared between both CPU configurations.

DISPLAY	8.8″, 144Hz, 2560 × 1600, 10-Point Multi-Touch
RAM	16GB, 32GB, 64GB LPDDR5x depending on CPU configuration
STORAGE	1TB, 2TB, 4TB NVMe PCI-E Gen 4.0 SSD depending on CPU configuration
CAMERA	2592 × 1944 automatic framing camera
COMMUNICATIONS	2.5Gbps ethernet Wi-Fi 6E Bluetooth 5.3
I/O	1x USB4 1x USB-C 2x USB A (2.0 and 3.2 Gen 2) 1x HDMI 2.1 1x RJ45 2.5Gbps 1x 3.5mm audio jack 1x Modular Port (with microSD card reader module)
BATTERY	45Wh rechargeable battery

Powering it all is a 45Wh battery supporting 100W PD fast charging. As a reminder this is for the HX 370 processor model. In our battery life tests at 28W TDP full brightness at 144Hz, we got 1 hour 1 minute on full load running the Cinebench benchmark on a loop. For average day to day usage say web browsing, watching videos or working on office documents you are looking at around 5 or so hours. You can of course extended the average battery life by lowering the refresh rate to 60Hz and enable auto TDP on demand for example.

While running the battery tests we also measured the fan noise and thermals. While idle, we got a barely audible 43dB,  and under full load – a quite loud 67 dB. We think the fan curve is a bit too high and unnecessary, we imagine this will be changed before release.

For temperatures we got, 30°C idle, and 49°C while under full load. Cooler than your usual laptop, but this is due to the fans running full speed.

System Benchmarks

As the GPD Pocket 4 is a pre-production model we won’t be performing a wide range of benchmarks in our GPD Pocket 4 review until we have the final consumer model. It is also worth noting that the GPD Duo was also a pre-production model. We will have full benchmarks for them both once final models are released.

Cinebench R24

Cinebench tests the single and multi-core processor performance.

We get near identical scores for the single-core performance which is good to see. We do see a little lower for multi-core performance though.

GeekBench 6

GeekBench also tests the processors single and multi-core performance. We see fairly similar scores for the Pocket 4 and Duo, both outperforming the previous 8840U generation devices.

GeekBench AI

And for the GeekBench AI tests, which as the name suggests, tests the AI performance for the processor. The Pocket 4 got noticeable higher scores than the Duo. We re-ran these tests and got similar scores again, keep in mind these are pre-production models.

3DMark

3DMark tests the performance of the CPU and GPU working together. It’s a great way to see the overall performance not only for gaming but also for video editing for example.

Across the three benchmark tests we got good results for the Pocket 4, comparable with the Duo. Both these models have increased performance over the previous generation 8840U.

Gaming Benchmarks

While not a gaming device, it is more than capable of running AAA games, just connect a controller and you are ready to game. As this is a pre-production model we are only testing at 1080P and 720P at 28W in our GPD Pocket 4 review so we can get a rough comparison. As a note the Duo benchmarks were performed on the previous driver versions, and 8840U from earlier this year, so there may be some differences between driver version performance.

Forza Horizon 5

For Forza Horizon 5 we are running on the Very Low graphics settings. At 1080P we can see the Pocket 4 has the lower performance compared to the Duo but a nice increase on the 8840U models. However at 720P we can see the positions swapped with higher performance than the Duo.

Shadow of the Tomb Raider

Shadow of the Tomb Raider always gives different results based on the graphics drivers. But we can see the GPD Pocket 4 has the upper hand in both 1080P and 720P benchmark results.

Benchmark Summary

Taking into account both the Duo and GPD Pocket 4 are pre-production models, the benchmarks results are quite varied with wins and losses on both. Overall the results are very good for this laptop for business, especially when compared to the previous generation 8840U benchmark results. By the time we see the final models and drivers have improved, we should see even higher and stable results.

GPD G1 eGPU docking station support

While the GPD Pocket 4 lacks an OCuLink port you can still use it with the GPD G1 eGPU docking station via the USB 4 port.

The AMD Radeon RX 7600M XT gives a great graphics processing boost which is ideal not only for gaming, but also higher demanding media tasks such as 3D software, video editing and rendering .

GPD Pocket 4 Review Final Thoughts

Time to sum up our thoughts on this GPD Pocket 4 review. From our time spent so far with the GPD Pocket 4, it has been great. The Pocket series of lightweight laptops has been one of my favourites for day to day work use for years now. It fits into a small bag and can easily be carried around without it being too heavy or getting in the way. This is the main selling point for me personally.

Next is the performance, the GPD Pocket 3 was getting on a bit and desperately needed a new model to get it up to date. They had lower performing processor models even as recently as a few months ago. They are great for your day to day average usage, but if you wanted something with more kick you were out of luck. 

The GPD Pocket 4 with 8840U and HX 370 processors are great upgrade options. We know how well the 8840U performs from the other GPD WIN 4, MAX 2 and Mini models and it makes for a great laptop for students. And if you want that extra boost for higher demanding software we have the HX 370 which we have seen in this article.

The GPD Pocket 4, with either CPU, is an awesome mini laptop, boasting a larger display, higher refresh rates and more modular ports. The GPD Pocket 4 is definitely one to consider as your next mini laptop!

We can’t wait for the final GPD Pocket 4 model to really put it through its paces with our usual range of benchmarks as well as checking out the new modules. Do let us know if there is anything in particular you would like to see. Before we do the final review early next year, we will have a few separate videos for gaming, AI etc. so keep an eye out for those.

That wraps up our main GPD Pocket 4 review. Next we want to compare the GPD Pocket 4 vs GPD Pocket 3 if you are thinking about upgrading or not sure which model to buy.

GPD Pocket 4 vs GPD Pocket 3 Physical Size and Weight

One of the standout features of the GPD Pocket series is its compact and lightweight design. The GPD Pocket 3 measures 7.5 x 5.3 x 0.7 inches (19.2 × 13.7 × 2 cm) and weighs just 720g (1.6 lbs). Its size and weight make it an ideal lightweight laptop for those who need to travel frequently or work on the go. This compact laptop is small enough to fit into most bags without adding significant bulk, making it one of the most convenient laptops for students and industry business professionals alike.

The GPD Pocket 4, on the other hand, is slightly larger and heavier, measuring 8.14 x 5.6 x 0.87 inches (20.68 × 14.45 × 2.22 cm) and weighs 785g (1.7 lbs). The additional size and weight come with significant benefits, such as enhanced hardware and a larger screen. Despite this, both devices remain excellent examples of ultra-portable notebooks, with the Pocket 3 offering better portability and the Pocket 4 providing a balance between portability and power.

GPD Pocket 4 vs GPD Pocket 3 Displays Compared

The display is one area where the GPD Pocket 4 vs GPD Pocket 3 comparison highlights a significant upgrade. The GPD Pocket 3 features an 8-inch touch display with a 1920×1200 resolution and a 60Hz refresh rate. This screen is suitable for everyday tasks like document editing, web browsing, and media consumption. While sufficient for most users, it does lack the vibrancy and sharpness that modern users may expect from premium small-sized laptops.

The GPD Pocket 4 takes the display experience to a new level with its 8.8-inch touchscreen. It boasts a 2560×1600 resolution, a 144Hz refresh rate, and a brightness of 500 nits. The larger screen provides more space for multitasking and sharper visuals for media consumption or presentations. However, it requires a capacitive stylus rather than an active stylus, which might be a consideration for users who plan to use it for drawing or note-taking.

Overall, the Pocket 4’s display is a clear winner in this category, making it an excellent choice for those looking for laptops for business presentations or students needing clarity for their projects.

Snap Decisions: The Camera Quality of GPD Pocket 4 and GPD Pocket 3

The camera on the GPD Pocket 4 sees a significant upgrade over the GPD Pocket 3, making it more suitable for modern video conferencing and content creation needs. The Pocket 3 features a 1600×1200 resolution camera with 2 million pixels, offering basic functionality for tasks such as video calls or quick snapshots. While serviceable, it lacks advanced features that are becoming standard in today’s devices.

The photos above were taken with Windows Camera app on the default settings. The images are as they were saved and not modified.

In comparison, the Pocket 4 is equipped with a 2592×1944 resolution camera, offering sharper visuals and greater detail with its improved pixel count. Additionally, it introduces automatic framing and system video brightness control, enhancing its performance in dynamic lighting conditions or when moving during a call. These advancements make the Pocket 4 a more versatile option for professionals and students who rely on high-quality video for virtual meetings, presentations, or online classes.

The 2-in-1 Design: Adaptability at Its Best

Both models feature a versatile 2-in-1 design that allows the devices to transition seamlessly between laptop and tablet modes. Both screens can rotate 180 degrees, enabling users to present content to others or fold it flat to use as a tablet. This adaptability makes it an excellent choice for laptops for students who need to switch between note-taking and research or laptops for business professionals who frequently give presentations.

The GPD Pocket 4 retains this beloved feature while improving on the overall experience. Its larger screen enhances the tablet mode, offering more space for interactions, whether you’re sketching ideas or collaborating on projects. The hinge mechanism is also more robust, ensuring smooth transitions between modes. This 2-in-1 functionality is a hallmark of the GPD Pocket series, making these devices standout options among lightweight laptops.

GPD Pocket 4 vs GPD Pocket 3 Performance Comparison

When comparing the GPD Pocket 4 vs GPD Pocket 3, performance is a key differentiator. The latest GPD Pocket 3 model features an Intel Pentium 7505 processor, which is suitable for basic day to day tasks such as word processing and web browsing. While sufficient for casual users, it may struggle with demanding applications, making it less ideal for power users seeking ultra-portable notebooks.

In contrast, the Pocket 4 introduces AMD Ryzen processors, including the Ryzen 7 8840U and Ryzen 9 AI HX 370. These CPUs offer significant performance improvements, with the Ryzen 9 boasting 12 cores and 24 threads, making it a powerhouse for multitasking and demanding workloads. Benchmarks such as Cinebench and Geekbench show the GPD Pocket 4 far outpacing the Pocket 3 in both single and multi-core tests. For anyone requiring high performance in a small-sized laptop, the Pocket 4 is the clear choice.

AI Capabilities: Stepping into the Future

AI processing is a growing consideration in modern laptops, and the GPD Pocket 4 vs GPD Pocket 3 comparison reveals significant advancements. The GPD Pocket 3 relies on basic integrated processing, which is sufficient for general use but lacks specialized AI capabilities.

The GPD Pocket 4 redefines AI capabilities in ultra-portable devices with its remarkable 80 TOPS (Trillion Operations Per Second) of AI computing power, significantly outperforming competitors like the Qualcomm Snapdragon X Elite at 45 TOPS and the Apple M4 at 38 TOPS.

The Pocket 4 compact laptop is equipped with an AMD Ryzen AI 9 HX 370 processor featuring integrated XDNA 2 technology, which supports advanced machine learning, real-time data analysis, and intelligent automation. Key features include enhanced productivity through AI-accelerated workflows, support for large AI models with up to 16GB of GPU-allocated memory, compatibility with cutting-edge AI applications and development tools, and potential for on-device AI processing that reduces reliance on cloud services.

When paired with the optional GPD G1 eGPU docking station accessory, the Pocket 4’s total AI performance reaches an impressive 108 TOPS, further enhancing its capabilities for demanding AI tasks. This additional power from the GPD G1 accessory represents a substantial increase in processing capacity, positioning the Pocket 4 as a leader in its class for AI-driven applications.

GPD Pocket 4 vs GPD Pocket 3 Graphics Performance

Graphics performance is another area where the Pocket 4 outshines the GPD Pocket 3. The Pocket 3’s integrated Intel graphics are adequate for everyday tasks but fall short for gaming or media editing. In contrast, the Pocket 4 offers Radeon 780M or 890M GPUs, providing a significant boost in graphical capabilities.

For users who need even more power, the GPD Pocket 4 is compatible with the GPD G1 eGPU docking station via the USB 4 port. This pairing allows the device to handle AAA games and resource-intensive tasks such as 3D rendering or video editing, making it a true contender among ultra-portable notebooks for professional and personal use.

GPD Pocket 4 vs GPD Pocket 3 Technical Specifications

	GPD POCKET 3	GPD POCKET 4
CPU	Pentium® Gold 7505 Core™ i7-1195G7 Pentium® Silver N6000	Ryzen 7 8840U Ryzen AI 9 HX 365 Ryzen AI 9 HX 370
GPU	(Pentium® Gold 7505) UHD Graphics (Core™ i7-1195G7) Iris® Xe Graphics (Pentium® Silver N6000) UHD Graphics	(8840U) AMD Radeon 780M (HX 365) AMD Radeon 880M (HX 370) AMD Radeon 890M
RAM	(Pentium® Silver N6000) 8GB (Core™ i7-1195G7) 16GB (Pentium® Gold 7505) 16GB	16GB, 32GB, 64GB LPDDR5X 7500 MT/s
STORAGE	(Pentium® Gold 7505) 512GB (Core™ i7-1195G7) 1TB (Pentium® Silver N6000) 512GB NVMe PCI-E Gen 3.0	1TB, 2TB, 4TB NVMe PCI-E Gen 4.0
COMMUNICATIONS	Wi-Fi 6 Bluetooth 5 2.5Gbps Ethernet	Wi-Fi 6E Bluetooth 5.3 2.5 Gbps Ethernet
DISPLAY	8″, 1920×1200, 60Hz, 284 PPI	8.8″, 2560×1600, 144Hz, 343 PPI, 500 nits
I/O	(Core™ i7-1195G7) 1x Thunderbolt 4 USB Type-C (Pentium® Gold 7505) 1x Thunderbolt 4 USB Type-C (Pentium® Silver N6000) 1x USB Type-C 3.2 Gen 2	1x USB 4.0 Type-C, 1x USB Type-C 1x USB Type-A 2.0 1x USB Type-A 3.2 Gen 2
BATTERY	38.5Wh Li-po	44.8Wh Li-po
BUY	HERE	HERE

Key Highlights of the GPD Pocket 4 vs GPD Pocket 3

You can read our GPD Pocket 3 (7505) review here,. The Pocket 3 excels as an affordable, lightweight laptop with excellent portability and sufficient power for basic tasks. However, the Pocket 4 is a clear winner for users who need higher performance, better displays, and future-ready features. Its advancements in AI processing, modular ports, and graphics capabilities make it the better choice for power users and professionals seeking the ultimate small-sized laptop.

Where to buy the GPD Pocket 3 and GPD Pocket 4?

You can learn more and buy the GPD Pocket 3 here, and buy the GPD Pocket 4 here. All GPD devices come with a two year warranty with DROIX.

Conclusion: Your Turn to Decide

The GPD Pocket 4 vs GPD Pocket 3 debate ultimately depends on your needs. If you prioritize extreme portability and affordability, the GPD Pocket 3 remains an excellent choice. However, if you require more power, a sharper display, and enhanced features, the GPD Pocket 4 is a worthy investment. Let us know in the comments which model suits you best and how you plan to use it—whether as a laptop for students, business, or something else entirely!