MANGMI is stepping up from budget territory with the Pocket Max, a new Android retro gaming handheld featuring a 7-inch 144Hz OLED display and Qualcomm Snapdragon 865 processor. The device measures 25.5 cm x 10.1 cm x 1.4 cm (10 x 4 x 0.6 inches) and weighs 450 grams (1 lb), putting it in the same screen size category as the Steam Deck while targeting emulation performance for PlayStation 2, GameCube, and similar era consoles.
The Pocket Max packs 8GB of LPDDR4X RAM and 128GB of UFS 3.1 storage, running Android 13 with Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5.1 connectivity. The display hits 800 nits peak brightness with a 100,000:1 contrast ratio, and the 8000 mAh battery supports 27W fast charging. MANGMI has also introduced a magnetic modular controller system using mechanical microswitches, TMR analog sticks, and Hall Effect triggers for improved precision and durability.
MANGMI made its name with the Air X, a sub-$100 handheld that earned a reputation as one of the best budget emulation devices on the market. The Pocket Max faces stiffer competition at its price point, going up against the Retroid Pocket G2 and Retroid Pocket 5, both of which offer comparable or better performance. The 7-inch screen and offset asymmetrical analog stick layout may help differentiate it, but the ongoing RAM shortage has pushed handheld prices higher across the board.
The Pocket Max is available at a super early bird price of $200 (€185) from 2026-02-05 through 2026-02-12, after which it rises to $240 (€220). For updates, follow MANGMI on Twitter or join their Discord community.
