First Look at MANGMI Pocket Max, an Android-Powered Retro Gaming Handheld with Modular Controls

MANGMI is continuing its mission to provide low-cost Android handheld flips the script on mobile gaming with a large screen and easily customizable, modular controls.

At the heart of the device is a 7-inch OLED display with a 144Hz refresh rate and Full HD resolution, which provides a smooth gaming experience. It doesn’t hurt that HDR support, a good contrast ratio, and a wide range of colors make everything appear deep and vivid. Of course, games operate well as well, especially in fast-paced titles where a high refresh rate really shines. Speaking of which, the front-facing speakers should provide an enjoyable experience, and the glass front panel is a great addition.

The base model is powered by a Qualcomm Snapdragon 865 processor, 8GB of RAM, and 128GB of storage. Don’t be fooled, though; this is more than adequate to handle some of the most demanding emulation, including PS2 and GameCube titles, Nintendo Switch games, and native Android titles. And if you enjoy streaming and cloud gaming, this device will not disappoint.

Keeping things cool is an active system that relies on sophisticated ventilation to keep heat under control even during long game sessions. The device also supports 27W fast charging via its connector, which is good. The controls are undeniably unique, with an asymmetrical layout and full-sized analog sticks that light up with RGB. The sticks remain fixed, but the D-pad and A/B/X/Y buttons on the right are detachable and can be swapped in seconds.

MANGMI is already talking about customizing the layout with alternate modules, and they’ve promised to include certain alternatives at launch, such as different button layouts or even a touchpad instead of the D-pad. Following that, third-party alternatives should begin to appear, providing you with even more customization options. To make things even more fascinating, you can put some sophisticated macros into the shoulder buttons on the back. And if you need to adjust the volume, turn on or off the device, or snooze it, there are some controls up on the top edge to do so.

In terms of colors, there’s the conventional black and white, as well as a fairly sweet cream and mocha combo that will bring a grin to the face of anyone who remembers the original Game Boy designs. To top it off, there’s some lovely chrome detailing on the grips.

MANGMI intends to sell the Pocket Max directly from their website rather than through crowdfunding, and early indications are that it will be reasonably priced in comparison to other mid-range handhelds on the market. The Pocket Max is expected to be released in 2026, which isn’t too far away; we’ll undoubtedly learn more about it soon.
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