Some links on this page are affiliate links.
The M17 is a 4.3 inch 16:9 Linux handheld that plays everything up to PS1 well, made by SJGAM. It came out in September 2023 at $35. Inside is the RockChip RK3126C with 256 MB of RAM.
Who it's for
Buy it if
- You want to play everything up to PS1.
- You want a 4.3 inch screen and carry it in a bag or a jacket.
Skip it if
- You want N64 games: it scores only 20 out of 100.
- You want Wi-Fi for updates and cloud saves.
M17 videos
What it plays
Plays up to: PS1. Chip: RockChip RK3126C.
Scores out of 100. 100 means the system runs at full speed with no known issues on this device. 80 or more plays well (green), 50 to 79 plays partly (yellow).
What the specs mean
16:9 screen
PSP and Switch games fill it. 4:3 home consoles show bars at the sides, and Game Boy games look small.
Based on: Display math: native screen shapes of each system
Sharpest fit: PS1 and N64
At 1x, PS1 and N64 fills 59% of the screen with even pixels. Filling the rest means stretching, which some people smooth with a filter.
Based on: Display math: largest whole-number scale that fits the screen
Small battery for its class
Only 21 of 117 Linux and other handhelds in our database have a smaller battery than this 1,500 mAh (the middle one has 3,000 mAh). The heavier the system you run, the sooner it runs out.
Based on: Our handheld database: battery of 117 Linux and other handhelds
DS without touch
There is no touch screen, so DS games that need the stylus use a pointer moved by a stick.
Based on: Layout data: no touch screen
Rating
How we score: what it plays 30%, how many players own and recommend it 20%, screen 15%, price compared with handhelds that play as much 10%, controls 10%, size and weight 10%, battery size for its chip 5%.
Good
- Plays everything up to PS1 well
- Low price
Not so good
- N64 games can struggle
- No Wi-Fi
- No video out
- Small 1,500 mAh battery
Screen fit
Screen: 4.3 inch, IPS, 16:9, 480 x 272.
| System | Original | Sharpest scale | Screen filled |
|---|---|---|---|
| Game Boy | 160 x 144 | 1x (160 x 144) | 18% |
| GBA | 240 x 160 | 1x (240 x 160) | 29% |
| NES and SNES | 256 x 224 | 1x (256 x 224) | 44% |
| Genesis | 320 x 224 | 1x (320 x 224) | 55% |
| PS1 and N64 | 320 x 240 | 1x (320 x 240) | 59% |
| DS, one screen | 256 x 192 | 1x (256 x 192) | 38% |
Whole-number scales keep every pixel the same size. Screen 480 x 272.
Size
170 x 80 x 29 mm. Too big for a jeans pocket
- M17 (170 x 80 mm)
- iPhone 15 (71.6 x 147.6 mm)
True scale, front view. Jeans pocket = front no bigger than an iPhone 15 Pro Max in a case (160 x 82 mm).
Specs
| Performance | |
|---|---|
| Chip | RockChip RK3126C |
| CPU | Cortex-A7 |
| Cores | 4 |
| Clock speed | 1.2 GHz |
| GPU | Mali-400 MP2 |
| RAM | 256 MB LPDDR3 |
| Cooling | No |
| Screen | |
| Size | 4.3" |
| Type | IPS |
| Resolution | 480 x 272 |
| Refresh rate | 60 Hz |
| Pixel density | 128 ppi |
| Aspect ratio | 16:9 |
| Dual screen | No |
| Controls | |
| D-pad | Cross, Lower placement |
| Analog sticks | Yes |
| Stick layout | Double, asymetrical |
| Shoulder buttons | Stacked |
| Rumble | No |
| Gyroscope | No |
| Connectivity | |
| Storage | 4 GB eMMC |
| SD card | Yes |
| Wi-Fi | No |
| Bluetooth | No |
| USB-C | Yes |
| Video out | No |
| Headphone jack | Yes |
| Build | |
| Form factor | Horizontal |
| Dimensions | 170 x 80 x 29 mm |
| Battery | 1500 mAh |
| Shell | Plastic |
| Speakers | Back |
| Software | |
| Operating system | Linux |
| Custom firmware | MinUI |
Questions
Can the M17 play PS2 games?
Not well. PS2 scores 0 out of 100. It plays everything up to PS1 well.
Is the M17 good for GBA?
GBA runs at full speed. At 1x it fills 29% of the screen with even pixels.
Does it have a headphone jack?
Yes.
How big is the battery?
1,500 mAh. The middle Linux and other handheld in our database has 3,000 mAh.
Can it connect to a TV?
No, it has no video out.
How much does the M17 cost?
It launched at about $35 in Sep 2023. Prices on the used market change, so check current listings.
Price and newer models
$35 at launch Under $60
The newest in its line in our database, out since Sep 2023.
Similar handhelds
Specs and emulation scores from the retrocatalog.com handheld database. The score out of 10 is our own.