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PowKiddy X18

Powkiddy · Handheld 2019 Active 9

Reference Price

€86.12

$100 USD

PowKiddy X18 is a retro gaming handheld launched in 2019. Powered by MTK8163 (4-core, 1.3 GHz), 2GB DDR3 RAM and Mali-T720 MP2 GPU. Features a 5.5" Touchscreen, IPS LCD display (1280 x 720, 16:9). 5000 mAh battery and Bluetooth. Runs Android.

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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.

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PowKiddy X18 is a retro gaming handheld launched in 2019. Powered by MTK8163 (4-core, 1.3 GHz), 2GB DDR3 RAM and Mali-T720 MP2 GPU. Features a 5.5" Touchscreen, IPS LCD display (1280 x 720, 16:9). 5000 mAh battery and Bluetooth. Runs Android.

The PowKiddy X18 is a clamshell retro gaming handheld released by Powkiddy in 2019. It sits in the $100–150 price bracket, with a reference price of around $100, and was positioned as a cheaper clamshell alternative to the GPD XD.

Inside is the MediaTek MTK8163 SoC, with four Cortex-A53 cores at 1.3 GHz, the Mali-T720 MP2 GPU (400–700 MHz) and 2 GB of DDR3 RAM. 8-bit and 16-bit systems, plus arcade platforms such as CPS1–3, Neo Geo, Final Burn Neo and MAME, run without trouble. SNES FX-chip games and 3D PS1 titles reach 60 FPS, Dreamcast and N64 are playable but can be laggy, and on PSP most games run fine, though some remain unplayable.

The 5.5-inch IPS touchscreen runs at 1280 x 720 in 16:9, with roughly 267 ppi and a 60 Hz refresh rate, behind a plastic lens. Touch input is handy for Nintendo DS games and for navigating Android.

For controls, the X18 offers a cross D-pad placed centrally on the inner side, symmetric dual thumbsticks in the upper outer position, four face buttons and L1, R1, L2, R2 shoulder buttons. Dedicated Home, Back, Keymap and Task Manager buttons are included, along with a gyroscope and microphone, but there is no rumble. The D-pad has been criticised, and ghost button issues were confirmed by Taki Udon. The plastic body measures 145 x 87 x 27 mm and weighs 296 g.

The 5000 mAh battery charges over Micro USB. The device also provides Mini HDMI video output, a 3.5mm headphone jack, front-facing dual stereo speakers, Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, plus 16 GB of storage and microSD support.

The operating system is Android 7.0, and modding is permitted. Beyond emulators, Pico-8, TIC-80, ScummVM, OpenBOR and EasyRPG are also supported.

Ideal for: players who want an affordable Android clamshell with an HD touchscreen and HDMI output for emulation up to PS1 and a good share of PSP, and who can accept a weak D-pad and possible button issues.
Specs for: PowKiddy X18 - Black/Red
Manufacturer
MediaTek
SoC
MediaTek MTK8163
Model
MTK8163
Architecture
Cortex-A53
Cores
4
Threads
4
Frequency
1.3 GHz
Instruction Set
ARM
Chipset
Mali-T720 MP2
GPU Cores
2
GPU Frequency
400 - 700 MHz
Capacity
2 GB
Technology
DDR3
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
Plastic
Capacity
5000 mAh
Analog Sticks
Dual thumbsticks
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, Task Manager
Additional Features
Gyroscope, Microphone
Speaker Type
Dual Stereo
Speaker Position
Front Edge facing
Wi-Fi
WiFi
Bluetooth
Bluetooth
Charge Port
Micro USB
Video Output
Mini HDMI
Audio Output
3.5mm Headphone
Internal Storage
16 GB
Card Support
microSD
Operating System
Android
OS Version
7.0
Dimensions
145 mm x 87 mm x 27 mm
Weight
296 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.

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 · 4 platforms

260 2600
ATA Atari 5200
780 7800
LYN Lynx

Coleco · 1 platform

CV CV

Lexaloffle · 1 platform

LEX Lexaloffle Games Pico-8

Nintendo · 11 platforms

NIN Nintendo Family Computer Disk System
NIN Nintendo Game & Watch
NIN Nintendo Pokémon Mini
NIN Nintendo Satellaview
GB GB
GBC GBC
NES NES
GBA GBA
SNE SNES
NDS NDS
N64 N64

Other · 5 platforms

CHI CHIP-8
EAS EasyRPG
OPE OpenBOR
SCU ScummVM
TIC TIC-80

SNK · 3 platforms

NG NG
SNK SNK Neo Geo Pocket
NGP NGPC

Sega · 8 platforms

SEG Sega 32X
SEG Sega CD
GG GG
SMS SMS
SEG Sega Mega-CD
MD MD
DC DC
SAT Saturn

Sinclair · 1 platform

ZXS ZXS

Sony · 2 platforms

PS1 PS1
PSP PSP

Pros & Cons

Pros

  • Cheaper clamshell than GPD XD

Cons

  • Ghost button issues (confirmed by Taki Udon)
  • bad d-pad

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Videos · 3

Retro Core

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