Skip to content

PowKiddy X18S

Powkiddy · Handheld 2021 Active 7

Reference Price

$173.00

PowKiddy X18S is a retro gaming handheld launched in 2021. Powered by Tiger T618 (8-core, 2.0 GHz), 4GB LPDDR4X RAM and Mali-G52 MP2 GPU. Features a 5.5" Touchscreen, IPS LCD display (1280 x 720, 16:9). 5000 mAh battery and WiFi 5, Bluetooth 5.0. Runs Android.

Color

Compare
Wishlist
Price Alert
Sponsored
Sponsored

Preloaded Content Notice

This device may ship with preloaded ROMs or sample game files. Under U.S. copyright law (DMCA Section 1201 and 17 U.S.C. § 117), creating or distributing ROMs of copyrighted games without authorization is generally prohibited. Personal backup copies of games you legally own may fall under fair use exceptions — consult an attorney for specifics.

No active listings

We haven't tracked any in-stock prices for this console yet. Check back soon or browse similar consoles.

PowKiddy X18S is a retro gaming handheld launched in 2021. Powered by Tiger T618 (8-core, 2.0 GHz), 4GB LPDDR4X RAM and Mali-G52 MP2 GPU. Features a 5.5" Touchscreen, IPS LCD display (1280 x 720, 16:9). 5000 mAh battery and WiFi 5, Bluetooth 5.0. Runs Android.

The PowKiddy X18S is a clamshell Android handheld released in 2021 and built around the Unisoc Tiger T618 SoC. Its eight cores (2x Cortex-A75, 6x Cortex-A55) run at 2.0 GHz, paired with a Mali-G52 MP2 GPU at 850 MHz and 4 GB of LPDDR4X RAM. It sits in the $150–$200 bracket, with a reference price of around $173.

In emulation, classic systems up to PlayStation, Game Boy Advance, SNES and Nintendo DS run comfortably. N64, PSP and Dreamcast run almost all at full speed, and some GameCube games are playable. PS2 is barely playable, and only for the easier-to-emulate titles. The platform list also covers Atari, Commodore, MSX and ZX Spectrum computers, plus arcade through MAME, Final Burn Neo, Neo Geo and Sega NAOMI.

The 5.5-inch IPS touchscreen offers 1280 x 720 resolution in 16:9, 267 ppi and a 60 Hz refresh rate, protected by tempered glass. The original firmware limited the refresh rate to 34 Hz, but this issue has since been fixed.

For controls, you get a centrally placed cross D-pad, symmetric dual thumbsticks with L3/R3, four face buttons and horizontal L1, R1, L2 and R2 shoulder buttons. Dedicated Home, Back, Menu and Keymap buttons are included, along with rumble, a gyroscope and a G-sensor. That said, the controls have drawn criticism, so ergonomics are worth checking. The plastic body measures 152 x 92 x 22.5 mm and weighs 308 g, and the dual stereo speakers face the front.

The 5000 mAh battery charges over USB-C, and the port also supports OTG. The device has Mini HDMI video output, a 3.5 mm headphone jack, WiFi 5, Bluetooth 5.0, GPS, FM radio and a microphone. The 64 GB of eMMC storage can be expanded via microSD.

The operating system is Android 11, and modding is permitted. This lets you install emulators, front-ends and apps as you prefer. The Keymap button helps with mapping on-screen controls.

Ideal for: players who want a foldable device with a protected screen, capable of N64, PSP and Dreamcast, with HDMI output and Android flexibility at a mid-range price.
Specs for: PowKiddy X18S - Super Gray
Specs for: PowKiddy X18S - Black
Manufacturer
Unisoc
SoC
Unisoc Tiger T618
Model
Tiger T618
Architecture
2x Cortex-A75, 6x Cortex-A55
Cores
8
Threads
8
Frequency
2.0 GHz
Instruction Set
ARM
Chipset
Mali-G52 MP2
GPU Cores
2
GPU Frequency
850 MHz
Capacity
4 GB
Technology
LPDDR4X
Size
5.5
Technology
IPS, Touchscreen
Resolution
1280 x 720
Quality
HD
Refresh Rate
60 Hz
Pixel Density (PPI)
267.02
Aspect Ratio
16:9
Lens
Tempered Glass
Capacity
5000 mAh
Analog Sticks
Dual thumbsticks with L3/R3
Stick Placement
Symmetric Upper, outer placement
D-Pad
Cross
D-Pad Placement
Center Middle, inner placement
Shoulder Buttons
L1, R1, L2, R2
Shoulder Orientation
Horizontal
Extra Buttons
Power, Volume +-, Back, Home, Keymap, Menu
Additional Features
FM, G-Sensor, Gyroscope, Hall Sensor, Microphone, P/L sensor, Rumble
Speaker Type
Dual Stereo
Speaker Position
Front Edge facing
Ports
USB-C OTG
Wi-Fi
WiFi 5
Bluetooth
Bluetooth 5.0
Charge Port
USB-C
Video Output
Mini HDMI
Audio Output
3.5mm Headphone
Internal Storage
64 GB
Card Support
eMMC, microSD
Operating System
Android
OS Version
11
Dimensions
152 mm x 92 mm x 22.5 mm
Weight
308 g
Body Material
Plastic
✓

Modding officially supported

The manufacturer officially permits or encourages modding (custom firmware, OS replacement, hardware modifications). Warranty remains valid under normal use.

ATMega · 1 platform

ATM ATMega Uzebox

Amstrad · 1 platform

AMS Amstrad CPC

Arcade · 5 platforms

CAP Capcom Play System 1
CAP Capcom Play System 2
CAP Capcom Play System 3
FIN Final Burn Neo
MAM MAME

Atari · 6 platforms

260 2600
ATA Atari 5200
780 7800
ATA Atari 800
LYN Lynx
ATA Atari ST

Bandai · 2 platforms

WS WS
BAN Bandai WonderSwan Color

Coleco · 1 platform

CV CV

Commodore · 5 platforms

COM Commodore 16
C64 C64
AMI Amiga
COM Commodore Amiga CD32
COM Commodore VIC-20

Epoch · 1 platform

EPO Epoch Cassette Vision

Fairchild · 1 platform

FAI Fairchild Channel F

GCE · 1 platform

VEC Vectrex

Lexaloffle · 1 platform

LEX Lexaloffle Games Pico-8

Magnavox · 2 platforms

MAG Magnavox Odyssey
MAG Magnavox Odyssey 2

Mattel · 1 platform

INT INTV

Microsoft · 2 platforms

DOS DOS
MIC Microsoft MSX 2

Microsoft/ASCII · 1 platform

MSX MSX

NEC · 4 platforms

NEC NEC PC Engine CD
NEC NEC PC Engine SuperGrafx
PCE PCE
NEC NEC TurboGrafx-16 CD

Nintendo · 15 platforms

NIN Nintendo Family Computer Disk System
NIN Nintendo Game & Watch
NIN Nintendo Pokémon Mini
NIN Nintendo Satellaview
NIN Nintendo Virtual Boy
GB GB
GBC GBC
NES NES
GBA GBA
SNE SNES
NDS NDS
N64 N64
GCN GCN
3DS 3DS
WII Wii

Other · 9 platforms

ARD Arduboy
CHI CHIP-8
DAP Daphne
EAS EasyRPG
JAV Java 2 Micro Edition Platform
OPE OpenBOR
SCU ScummVM
TIC TIC-80
Z-M Z-Machine

Panasonic · 1 platform

PAN Panasonic 3DO

SNK · 4 platforms

NG NG
SNK SNK Neo Geo CD
SNK SNK Neo Geo Pocket
NGP NGPC

Sega · 11 platforms

SEG Sega 32X
SEG Sega CD
GG GG
SMS SMS
SEG Sega Mega-CD
SEG Sega NAOMI
SEG Sega SG-1000
SEG Sega Titan Video
MD MD
DC DC
SAT Saturn

Sharp · 2 platforms

SHA Sharp X1
SHA Sharp X68000

Sinclair · 2 platforms

ZXS ZXS
SIN Sinclair ZX81

Sony · 4 platforms

SON Sony PlayStation Portable Minis
PS1 PS1
PSP PSP
PS2 PS2

Watara · 1 platform

WAT Watara Supervision

Pros & Cons

Pros

  • Unisoc Tiger T618 performance
  • 5.5-inch HD touchscreen
  • clamshell form factor
  • mini HDMI video output
  • 64 GB storage with microSD expansion
  • Android 11 with modding permitted

Cons

  • 34Hz screen refresh rate with original firmware (fixed)
  • Other issues
  • bad controls

Comments

0

Join the conversation

Sign in to leave a comment and rate this console.

No comments yet

Be the first to share your thoughts!

No compatible accessories found

Check back later — we're adding new accessories regularly.

Videos · 5

Taki Udon

youtube

Retro Game Corps

youtube

ETA Prime

youtube

Sonic Love

youtube

Retro Handhelds

youtube

Sponsored
Sponsored
Account

Sign in to track prices, save favorites, and get alerts.

Sign in Create account

Track prices and get notified when they drop.

Compare Consoles

Quick Specs

🍪 We use cookies This site uses cookies to function and to analyze traffic. You can choose which categories you accept. Cookie policy

Customize

Essential
Required for the site to function. Cannot be disabled.
Required
  • XSRF-TOKEN — CSRF protection token (session)
  • laravel_session — Session identifier (2 hours)
  • remember_* (pattern) — Remember-me login token (5 years)
Preferences
Remember your language, currency, and display preferences.
  • locale — Selected interface language (12 months)
  • currency — Selected display currency (12 months)
  • theme — Light/dark theme preference (12 months)
Analytics
Anonymous usage statistics to help us improve the site.
  • _ga_* (pattern) — Anonymous page view statistics (24 months, Google Analytics)
Referral
Track affiliate link clicks for partner store commissions.
  • ref_* (pattern) — Affiliate click tracking for store commissions (30 days, Affiliate networks)