Key Takeaways
1. The Mangmi Air X is a budget-friendly handheld device priced at $90, with early buyers getting it for $70.
2. It features a Snapdragon 662 processor, 4 GB of RAM, 64 GB of storage, and a 5.5-inch 1080p IPS display, running on Android 14.
3. Battery life tests showed it lasts approximately 3 hours for PSP emulation and up to 6 hours for Game Boy games, but charging takes about 100 minutes with no fast charging.
4. The device runs PSP, Dreamcast, and N64 games well, with 3DS compatibility being a bonus, but struggles with more demanding systems like GameCube and PS2.
5. Despite its slow charging time, the Mangmi Air X offers solid performance for its price, raising the bar for budget handhelds.
YouTuber Joey’s Retro Handhelds has recently shared a detailed review of the Mangmi Air X, a new budget-friendly handheld device that retails for $90, or just $70 for early “lucky bird” purchasers. In terms of specifications, the device is equipped with a Snapdragon 662 processor, 4 GB of LPDDR4X RAM, and 64 GB of storage. It also features a 5.5-inch 1080p IPS display, an active cooling system, and a 5000 mAh battery, all running on Android 14.
Battery Life Tests
In his tests, Joey’s Retro Handhelds assessed the battery life from a full charge down to zero while keeping the brightness at maximum, Wi-Fi turned on, and the fan operating in silent mode. Under these settings, the PSP emulation lasted for 181 minutes (about 3 hours) without performance mode, and 166 minutes (approximately 2 hours and 46 minutes) when performance mode was activated.
3DS games performed even better, achieving runtimes of 285 minutes (around 4 hours and 45 minutes) without performance mode, and 200 minutes (nearly 3 hours and 20 minutes) with it. For lightweight systems like the Game Boy, the device could last up to 400 minutes (about 6 hours and 40 minutes). The standby power drain was noted to be low, losing only 3% of battery charge over a 24-hour period.
Charging Concerns
Joey’s Retro Handhelds pointed out that charging is a weak point for the device, as it lacks fast charging capabilities and takes roughly 100 minutes to fully recharge from a dead state. The reviewer referred to this as “the biggest annoyance” when it comes to the handheld’s usability.
The YouTuber highlighted that the Air X performed impressively for its price point. Games from the PlayStation 1, Dreamcast, and Nintendo 64 all ran without any issues, with PSP performance being a particular standout feature. PSP titles could run at 1x, 2x, and even some at 3x resolution without the need for hacks or frameskip. The reviewer even branded the Air X as “certified” for N64 games under $100, noting that the only other handheld to receive this label previously was the Retroid Pocket 2S.
Performance Limitations
Joey’s Retro Handhelds claimed that 3DS games ran smoothly at their native resolution and full speed, which he described as an unexpected achievement for a handheld priced under $100. However, more demanding systems such as GameCube, PlayStation 2, Wii U, and Switch did not perform well. Some lighter GameCube games, like Mario Kart Double Dash and Animal Crossing, were playable with some adjustments, but most titles had difficulties running. The YouTuber concluded that the Mangmi Air X is optimal for PSP and older systems, with 3DS compatibility as a bonus.
In conclusion, Joey’s Retro Handhelds stated that the Mangmi Air X “is exciting” and raises the bar for budget handhelds. For less than $100, it provides solid performance for PSP, Dreamcast, N64, and 3DS games, although the slow charging time is a drawback.
The handheld is presently available for early backers at a price of $70, with a standard retail cost of $90. The YouTuber also discusses the Air X’s design, cooling features, button sounds, and various other elements of the handheld, so be sure to watch the full review for a comprehensive understanding.
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