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The PowKiddy X39 is a 4.3 inch 16:9 Linux handheld that plays everything up to PS1 well. It came out in January 2022 at $45. Inside is the Actions Semiconductor ATM7051 with 128 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.
PowKiddy X39 videos
What it plays
Plays up to: PS1. Chip: Actions Semiconductor ATM7051.
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
Same chip as 1 other handheld
The Actions Semiconductor ATM7051 also powers the GR3000. The same chip means similar speed, though memory and cooling can differ.
Based on: Our handheld database (chip field)
Shoulder buttons in a row
L1 and L2 sit side by side along the top edge instead of stacked. PS2 games that need L1 and L2 together mean sliding one finger between them.
Based on: Layout data (shoulder button layout)
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
- Video out to a TV
- Low price
Not so good
- N64 games can struggle
- No Wi-Fi
- Small 2,500 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% |
Whole-number scales keep every pixel the same size. Screen 480 x 272.
Size
170 x 80 x 18 - 24 mm, 190 g. Too big for a jeans pocket
- PowKiddy X39 (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 | Actions Semiconductor ATM7051 |
| CPU | Cortex-A9 |
| Cores | 4 |
| Clock speed | 900 MHz |
| GPU | PowerVR SGX540 |
| RAM | 128 MB LPDDR2 |
| 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 | Single, top |
| Shoulder buttons | Side By Side |
| Rumble | No |
| Gyroscope | No |
| Connectivity | |
| Storage | External MicroSD |
| SD card | Yes |
| Wi-Fi | No |
| Bluetooth | No |
| USB-C | Yes |
| Video out | Yes |
| Headphone jack | Yes |
| Build | |
| Form factor | Horizontal |
| Dimensions | 170 x 80 x 18 - 24 mm |
| Weight | 190 g |
| Battery | 2500 mAh |
| Shell | Plastic |
| Speakers | Front |
| Software | |
| Operating system | Linux |
Questions
Can the PowKiddy X39 play PS2 games?
Not well. PS2 scores 0 out of 100. It plays everything up to PS1 well.
Is the PowKiddy X39 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?
2,500 mAh. The middle Linux and other handheld in our database has 3,000 mAh.
Can it connect to a TV?
Yes, it has video out.
How much does the PowKiddy X39 cost?
It launched at about $45 in Jan 2022. Prices on the used market change, so check current listings.
Price and newer models
$45 at launch Under $60
The newest in its line in our database, out since Jan 2022.
Similar handhelds
Specs and emulation scores from the retrocatalog.com handheld database. The score out of 10 is our own.