PowKiddy X18
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€86.12
$100 USD
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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.
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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.
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.
- 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
Atari · 4 platforms
Coleco · 1 platform
Lexaloffle · 1 platform
Nintendo · 11 platforms
Other · 5 platforms
SNK · 3 platforms
Sega · 8 platforms
Sinclair · 1 platform
Sony · 2 platforms
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Cheaper clamshell than GPD XD
Cons
- Ghost button issues (confirmed by Taki Udon)
- bad d-pad
No compatible accessories found
Check back later — we're adding new accessories regularly.
Videos · 3
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Compliance & Safety
PowKiddy X18 — 6 marks declared by manufacturer
Regulatory
· 1-
CE Marking
EUConformité Européenne — certifies that the product meets essential EU requirements for safety, health and environmental protection. The mark indicates the manufacturer has assessed the product and confirmed compliance with applicable European legislation (EMC, RoHS, RED directives, etc.). Mandatory for all electronic products sold in the European Economic Area since 1985.
Official source
Environmental
· 2-
RoHS
GlobalRestriction of Hazardous Substances — EU directive limiting 10 hazardous substances in electronics (lead, mercury, cadmium, hexavalent chromium, phthalates, etc.). Limit: 0.1% per substance (0.01% for cadmium). RoHS compliance is part of the CE declaration and mandatory for all electronics sold in the EU.
Official source -
WEEE
EUWaste Electrical and Electronic Equipment — the crossed-out wheeled bin pictogram indicates the obligation to separate electronic waste from household trash. Manufacturers must register with a national collection scheme and cover recycling costs. Consumers can return used devices free of charge at stores or collection centers.
Official source
Safety
· 2-
Not for children under 3
EUSafety warning per Toy Safety Directive 2009/48/EC — product not suitable for children under 3 years due to small parts presenting choking hazard. Applicable to consoles with small detachable accessories (joycons, batteries, short cables). Manufacturer sets the age limit based on safety testing.
Official source -
Electric Hazard
GlobalElectric hazard warning per ISO 7010 — the pictogram indicates the presence of high-voltage components inside. Disassembling without qualified personnel can cause severe electric shock, even after disconnecting from mains (capacitors may retain charge for a long time). DO NOT disassemble unless you are an authorized technician.
Official source
Wireless
· 1-
Bluetooth SIG
GlobalBluetooth Special Interest Group — non-profit organization owning the Bluetooth trademark. All products using Bluetooth technology must be qualified through SIG (specification conformance testing). Using the Bluetooth name or logo without qualification is a trademark violation.
Official source
Markings displayed are based on data declared by the manufacturer. Actual product markings may vary by region and revision.