Tag: Android gaming handheld

  • MagicX Zero 40 Gets Positive Reviews After Surprise Early Launch

    MagicX Zero 40 Gets Positive Reviews After Surprise Early Launch

    Key Takeaways

    1. The MagicX Zero 40 features the Allwinner A133P chipset and 2 GB of DDR4 RAM, similar to the Mini Zero 28.
    2. Designed for Nintendo DS and TATE emulation, it includes a portrait-style display for enhanced gaming.
    3. Initial community reviews highlight its comfortable design and decent controls, although they may feel small compared to other controllers.
    4. The device runs on the Dawn Launcher and supports a variety of Android games with its pre-installed Android 14 ROM.
    5. The Zero 40 is available for purchase directly from MagicX at a starting price of $75, including a 64 GB microSD card.


    The MagicX Zero 40 has been available for just over a week since its early launch on June 24. Building on the Mini Zero 28 (currently priced at $78.99 on Amazon), the Zero 40 is equipped with the same Allwinner A133P chipset and 2 GB of DDR4 RAM as the smaller model. However, the MagicX team has specifically designed the Zero 40 to excel in Nintendo DS and TATE emulation, which is why it boasts a portrait-style display.

    Positive Reviews from the Community

    According to initial reviews, MagicX’s new gaming handheld meets the expectations set by the company. Various reviewers like Joey’s Retro Handhelds, Retro Handhelds, and Retro Game Corps have noted that the Zero 40 is quite comfortable to hold, even with its dimensions of 136 x 105 x 17 mm. Additionally, while the controls are described as decent, they may feel a bit small when compared to many popular standalone gaming controllers.

    Solid Performance and Versatility

    The Dawn Launcher appears to offer a strong experience straight out of the box. Although the Zero 40 is primarily aimed at Nintendo DS and vertical arcade games, its pre-installed Android 14 ROM lets users play any Android game, whether in its standard position or rotated 90 degrees. Currently, the only place to purchase the Zero 40 is directly from MagicX, starting at $75 and including a 64 GB microSD card. For further information, check out the videos below and our original article about the launch.

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  • Mangmi Air X: New Android 14 Gaming Handheld with Snapdragon Chipset

    Mangmi Air X: New Android 14 Gaming Handheld with Snapdragon Chipset

    Key Takeaways

    1. The market for Android gaming handhelds is growing, with key players like Anbernic, Ayaneo, and Retroid.
    2. The Mangmi Air X is a new competitor aiming to provide a lower-cost option compared to devices like the Ayn Odin2.
    3. The Air X is powered by the Snapdragon 662 chipset, which, despite being six years old, competes well with other basic gaming chipsets.
    4. It features a 5.5-inch IPS screen with 1080p resolution, 450 nits brightness, and includes an active cooling system.
    5. The device is designed with 4 GB of RAM, 64 GB of storage, and a 5,000 mAh battery, but pricing and availability are still unknown.


    The market for Android gaming handhelds has really taken off recently. Mainly led by companies like Anbernic, Ayaneo, and Retroid, the Ayn Odin2 (currently priced at $399 on Amazon) continues to be the preferred choice due to its solid price-to-performance ratio. Now, a new competitor seems to be getting ready to join the scene, known as Mangmi.

    Introducing the Air X

    Mangmi has unveiled the Air X, which aims to offer a lower price than the Odin 2 and newer devices such as the RG557, RG Slide, and the Pocket Ace or Pocket S2. To keep costs down, the Air X is built around the Snapdragon 662, an 11 nm chipset that includes four ARM Cortex-A73 and four Cortex-A53 CPU cores along with an Adreno 610 GPU.

    Performance Comparison

    Even though the Snapdragon 662 is six years old, it performs comparably to other basic gaming handheld chipsets like the MediaTek Helio G85 and the Unisoc T610. In certain situations, Qualcomm’s GPU drivers might provide a slight performance advantage for the Snapdragon 662. For context, the Mangmi Air X is expected to come with 4 GB of LPDDR4X RAM, 64 GB of eMMC flash storage, and a 5,000 mAh battery that supports 15 W charging.

    Display and Features

    Additionally, the Air X will come with a 5.5-inch IPS screen that offers a 1080p resolution in a 16:9 aspect ratio, boasting a peak brightness of 450 nits. Mangmi also includes an active cooling system to avoid thermal throttling, along with features like a 6-axis gyroscope, Hall effect joysticks, and Hall effect triggers, all housed in a design that weighs 286 g and measures around 203 x 87 x 17 mm. As for pricing and when it will be available, those details are still unknown; you can check Mangmi’s website for more information.

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  • Ayaneo Pocket S2: New High-End Gaming Handheld Plans Revealed

    Ayaneo Pocket S2: New High-End Gaming Handheld Plans Revealed

    Key Takeaways

    1. Ayaneo’s Pocket S2 launch is uncertain, with no sales expected before June.
    2. A product live sharing session is scheduled for May 28 to discuss the Pocket S2’s features and showcase gameplay.
    3. The Pocket S2 is expected to have a 6.3-inch 1440p display and Qualcomm Snapdragon G3 Gen 3 chipset.
    4. Improvements in design, cooling system, and battery size are anticipated compared to the previous model.
    5. Ayaneo has recently launched the Pocket Ace and is preparing to introduce the Flip 1S DS with AMD’s latest Ryzen AI 9 HX 370 APU.


    Almost a month has gone by since the CEO of Ayaneo hinted that the Pocket S2 might come out in May. Right now, it’s still uncertain if Ayaneo will start selling this device before June arrives. Sadly, Ayaneo’s recent teaser indicates that their new high-end Android gaming handheld is not ready for launch at this moment.

    Upcoming Details

    Instead, it appears that the company is only gearing up to share more information about the Pocket S (currently priced at $589.99 on Amazon) successor by the end of this month. The image below reveals that Ayaneo has confirmed a ‘product live sharing session’ scheduled for 12:00 on May 28. During this session, the company will highlight ‘key features’ of its new gaming handheld and also showcase live gameplay demonstrations.

    Product Launch Expectations

    However, Ayaneo usually conducts product-sharing sessions when they are nearing a device release. At this point, the Pocket S2 is anticipated to feature a 6.3-inch display with 1440p resolution and Qualcomm’s latest Snapdragon G3 Gen 3 chipset. Additionally, Ayaneo has previously mentioned that the Pocket S2 will have a better design, enhanced cooling system, and a bigger battery compared to last year’s version. Interestingly, the company has just introduced the Pocket Ace as a smaller Android alternative and is also getting ready to unveil the Flip 1S DS, which will come equipped with AMD’s newest Ryzen AI 9 HX 370 APU and at least one OLED screen.

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  • Retroid Reduces Pocket 4 Pro Price to $149 for 618 Festival

    Retroid Reduces Pocket 4 Pro Price to $149 for 618 Festival

    Key Takeaways

    1. The Retroid Pocket 4 Pro is currently on sale for $149, a $50 discount for the 618 Shopping Festival, valid until June 22, 2025.
    2. The device features a 4.7-inch touch display with a resolution of 1334 x 750 and is powered by the MediaTek Dimensity 1100 chip.
    3. It comes with 8GB of LPDDR4x RAM and 128GB of storage, expandable via a TF Card slot.
    4. The handheld includes features like active cooling, Bluetooth 5.2, Wi-Fi 6, and a 5,000mAh battery.
    5. It has a USB-C port for charging and data transfer, supporting video output at 1080p, and a micro HDMI port for external display up to 720p.


    The Retroid Pocket 4 Pro has been available for over a year and has already been succeeded by the Retroid Pocket 5, which is curr. sold on Amazon for $259. Despite this, the Retroid Pocket 4 Pro can still be purchased, and it is currently offered at a much lower price due to a special promotion.

    Special Offer

    For a limited time, you can buy the Retroid Pocket 4 for just $149, which is a $50 discount from its original price. Retroid mentions that this price cut is to mark the 618 Shopping Festival, and it will be valid until June 22, 2025.

    Color Options

    As of now, this price reduction applies to all six colors of the Retroid Pocket 4 Pro, but you should note that the Icy Blue option is out of stock.

    The Retroid Pocket 4 Pro features a 4.7-inch touch display with a resolution of 1334 x 750 and is driven by MediaTek’s Dimensity 1100 chip. It comes with 8GB of LPDDR4x RAM and 128GB of storage, which can be expanded using a TF Card slot. The device also has 3D Hall Effect joysticks, analogue L2 and R2 buttons, and the ABXY buttons can be swapped out.

    Additional Features

    The handheld includes a active cooling fan, Bluetooth 5.2, Wi-Fi 6, and a 5,000mAh battery. It has a USB-C port for charging and data transfer. There is also a micro HDMI port for connecting to an external display, although it only supports up to 720p output. The USB-C port does allow for video output at 1080p. The device comes pre-installed with Android 13.

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  • Antec Core Micro Launches as Second Gaming Handheld Device

    Antec Core Micro Launches as Second Gaming Handheld Device

    Antec has stepped into the realm of gaming handhelds with the release of the Core HS, which is essentially a rebranded version of the Ayaneo Slide. Following this, the company has now unveiled the Core Micro, which also serves as a rebranding of another Ayaneo product. More precisely, it’s the Pocket Micro but under a new moniker.

    Similarities to Previous Models

    Just like the Core HS, there are no changes to the specifications of the Core Micro apart from its name. This means that Antec’s latest device carries the same specifications as Ayaneo’s Pocket Micro, which is primarily designed for emulation on Android rather than competing with devices such as the Asus ROG Ally or Legion Go.

    Performance Specs

    Inside, this Android gaming handheld is powered by the MediaTek Helio G99, placing it in the same performance category as other devices like the KT-R1. As stated by Ayaneo, this SoC supports up to PS2 emulation, and with the inclusion of an active cooling fan, the G99 is said to maintain stable performance even when put under significant stress.

    Storage and Battery

    The MediaTek SoC comes with 8 GB of RAM and 256 GB of built-in storage; however, the Antec Core Micro includes an SD card slot that allows for further storage expansion. Its internals are powered by a 2,600 mAh battery, which is claimed to provide about 6 hours of gameplay (there’s also a 24,000 mAh Anker 737 power bank available for $106.48 on Amazon). Regarding the display, the handheld features a 3.5-inch IPS screen with a resolution of 960 x 640 pixels, a 3:2 aspect ratio, and covers 100% of the sRGB color gamut.000 mAh Anker 737 power bank available for $106

    Additional Features

    Other notable features of this gaming handheld include WiFi 5, Android 13, Hall effect joysticks, and a body made from CNC aluminum. Antec has not yet released any pricing information, but the Ayaneo Pocket Micro, which includes 8 GB of RAM and 256 GB storage, is priced at $249.


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  • Anbernic RG 406H: Android Handheld with 4″ Display & 8GB RAM

    Anbernic RG 406H: Android Handheld with 4″ Display & 8GB RAM

    Anbernic has introduced its newest Android gaming handheld named RG 406H. This device is now available in both the Chinese and international markets. Let’s dive into its main specifications.

    Key Features of Anbernic RG 406H

    The RG 406H boasts a 4-inch IPS touchscreen, enhanced with OCA full lamination, providing a resolution of 960×720 and multi-touch features for a more engaging gaming experience. It is offered in three color choices: Black, White, and Transparent Purple, appealing to various style preferences.

    Technical Specifications

    At its core, the RG 406H is powered by a robust Unisoc T820 processor, which is a 6nm EUV 5G SOC chip. It includes 8 cores and a quad-core Mali-G57 GPU that operates at 850MHz, ensuring smooth gaming performance. The device also includes 8GB LPDDR4X RAM and 128GB UFS 2.2 storage, providing both efficient multitasking and plenty of room for games and applications.

    Running on Android 13, this device grants access to a broad selection of apps and games, and it includes FOTA wireless updates to keep everything current. It supports more than 30 types of simulators and allows users to download games in formats that are compatible.

    Audio and Battery Life

    The RG406H is equipped with high-quality stereo speakers to enhance audio enjoyment, along with a 5000mAh polymer lithium battery that allows for about 7 hours of gaming on a single charge. Fast charging is supported through a 5V/2A USB Type-C port, which takes around 3 hours for a full charge.

    Additionally, it includes a six-axis gyroscope sensor for accurate motion control and employs advanced active cooling with a high-speed fan and heat pipe to manage heat effectively. It’s designed with a large-angle 3D Hall joystick and Hall triggers to provide precise control and comfort for long gaming sessions.

    Connectivity Options

    In terms of connectivity, the device supports both 2.4/5G Wi-Fi and Bluetooth 5.0. The handheld allows for wireless projection, online multiplayer gaming, and features a USB Type-C 1080p Display Port output. Furthermore, it has customizable RGB lighting with 16 million colors, a vibration motor, and a 3.5mm stereo earphone jack.

    This gaming handheld accommodates TF card expansion up to 2TB, making it a flexible option for gamers who require more storage. The design includes an ergonomic grip for comfort during extended play.

    Pricing and Where to Buy

    The starting price for the Anbernic RG 406H is 998 yuan in China. It is available in three versions both globally and domestically: the basic version without an SD card at $157.99, a 128GB model loaded with over 4,000 games at $172.99, and the 256GB version with more than 9,000 games priced at $187.99. You can buy the device from Anbernic’s official store.

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