ARMSX2 brings a big boost for emulating PS2 games on many Samsung and Pixel phones
Source: Android Authority
Hadlee Simons / Android Authority
TL;DR
- The ARMSX2 emulator has just received a hefty update that brings better support for devices with Mali GPUs.
- This is great news if you’ve got an older Pixel phone, a MediaTek‑powered device, or a budget Samsung handset.
- The update also adds disc swapping, new internal resolution options, and an FPS limit.
Introduction
AetherSX2 and its NetherSX2 fork remain two of the best PS2 emulators on Android, but ARMSX2 is an emerging alternative. The developers have just released a major update for devices without Snapdragon processors.
Mali GPU Support
The ARMSX2 team announced version 1.0.8 via Discord, highlighting integrated support for devices with Arm Mali GPUs.
“Mali support has been significantly improved in ARMSX2 1.0.8. Mali users no longer need to rely on a separate Mali‑specific build to benefit from recent graphics fixes and compatibility improvements. These fixes are now included directly in the main ARMSX2 build,” the team explained.
What changes for Mali users?
- Reduced graphics issues and improved stability when using the OpenGL renderer.
- More games become playable or stable.
- Recommended settings: set Blending to Maximum and disable Show GPU on Stats to avoid a black screen.
This benefits:
- MediaTek‑powered phones (Mali GPUs are common in Helio and Dimensity processors).
- Older Pixel phones (all Tensor chipsets prior to the Pixel 10 use Mali graphics).
- Some budget Samsung devices that also employ Mali GPUs.
Additional Features in 1.0.8
- HostFS support – see the HostFS project.
- Improved emulation of the PS2’s VU1 hardware.
- Disc swapping capability.
- Configurable FPS limit.
- New internal resolution options: 0.25x, 0.5x, and 0.75x (the latter two help on underpowered hardware).
Performance Considerations
ARMSX2 currently relies on x86‑to‑Arm translation, making it less performant than native Arm emulators like NetherSX2. However, a forthcoming ARMSX2 Refresh aims to replace translation with a native build, potentially offering better performance. Users experiencing issues with the current release may wish to wait for the Refresh version.