Psst, there's a new modular gaming handheld in town, and the MANGMI Pocket Max just reached my paws in time for its launch. The 7-inch Android contender is available as of now with an early bird $199 price tag, and while its apparently "designed for streaming," I suspect I'll end up using for it for playing my PS2 collection when not rotting my eyes with CRT screens.
Again, the Pocket Max is now live for $199.99 at MANGMI, so you're getting what the brand calls the "first Android handheld with magnetic modules" for $30 less than its standard MSRP. I suspect that's how much it'll eventually go for when it hits Amazon and other retailers, which currently hosts the company's first device, the lower-spec AIR X, for $159.
I'm not kidding when I say the MANGMI Pocket Max has literally just reached my hands, so I'll have to properly put it through its paces before giving it a seat at the best retro handheld table. What I will say is that I'm already super impressed with how snappy this Snapdragon 865 setup feels, and the portable's 7-inch 1080p 144Hz AMOLED screen is putting the $1,000 ROG Xbox Ally X I've been using to replay Fallout: New Vegas all week to absolute shame.
Of course, it's pretty silly to actually pit a flagship handheld gaming PC against an Android handheld. But, companies like MANGMI are punching well above their emulation handheld weight with portables like the Pocket Max, especially if your interest primarily lie with emulation. This device is in a good position to offer up vibrant visuals that rival even the Steam Deck OLED and respectable performance, handling most of the best retro consoles up to and including the PS2.
Price: From $199 (roughly £150)
Display: 7-inch AMOLED touchscreen
Resolution: 1920 x 1080
Refresh rate: 144Hz
CPU: Snapdragon 865
RAM: Up to 8GB LPDDR4X
Storage: 128GB UFS + Up to 512GB microSD
Connectivity: USB-C, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi 7
Audio: 3.5mm headphone jack, stereo speakers, Bluetooth
Weight: 450g
That's before we even get to the Pocket Max's module face buttons and d-pad, which add an extra layer of feature spice. The package I have comes with replacement microswitched options that look identical to what's already installed on the handheld, but naturally provide that clicky feel that some purists prefer to membranes. In theory, the magnetic modules should just pull away from the portable with grip force, but after awkwardly trying to pry them out with my stubby fingers, I eventually had to use a plastic prying tool.
I wouldn't say the modular magnet strength is a bad thing, but I do wish MANGMI included some sort of tool for removal. What I'm slightly more bummed out about is the fact it didn't come with more experimental modules, as it would have been nice to try out different d-pads for fighting games or even a different approach to the face buttons. I suspect those options are coming down the road, but I would have liked a taster for my initial review.
Modular magic tricks aside, the Pocket Max is seriously out to impress with its build quality. It feels very much in line with the premium vibes of something like the Ayaneo 2S, and while the beige and burgundy "retro" colorway isn't remotely unique, it still looks the part compared to standard black and white options.
You're also getting plenty of premium perks with the Pocket Max that really help justify its $200 price tag. While most Android handhelds these days come with hall-effect modules, MANGMI has stepped things up by including TMR thumbsticks (short for Tunneling Magnetoresistance) that promise improved sensitivity, enhanced power efficiency, and higher durability. Pair that with hall triggers and its pretty chonky 8,000mHa battery, and you've got a portable that punches harder than rivals in its price range like the Retroid Pocket 5 and slightly cheaper Anbernic RG Cube.
I'll be diving into full MANGMI Pocket Max testing this week, so I'll report back with insights into its emulation capabilities and how it feels in the hands after several hours of play. I am hoping it'll end up being a fantastic option for revisiting the PS2 and GameCube using a larger AMOLED screen, but I'm also keen to see whether it could tempt me to stream games from my main PC rather than trying to run them natively.
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