MANGMI AIR X The MANGMI AIR X is the company's first device, but it perfectly fills a gap in the market for entry-level Android gaming handhelds. For less than $100, you won't find a better device for upscaled PSP emulation.
When I finished my studies and left my childhood home 15 years ago, the only piece of gaming hardware I brought with me was my PSP. Sony’s first portable console wasn’t just jam-packed with great games, it also served as my portable media player.
In the age of smartphones and streaming services, it’s long been retired, but when I recently dug it out to revisit the memories, I was sad to see that the battery pack had swelled to a dangerous degree. Sure, I could buy a new battery pack, but instead, I moved on to a new handheld that perfectly captures and builds on what made the PSP great.
I’m talking about the MANGMI AIR X, a new Android gaming handheld (and brand) that’s set to dominate the entry-level price bracket. In fact, it costs even less than a used PSP, two decades after its release.
Familiar design, new hardware
Nick Fernandez / Android Authority
Like the PSP (and most gaming handhelds), the AIR X has a familiar “candybar” design, although the 5.5-inch FHD IPS screen is much larger. Unlike other retro-focused 4:3 handhelds we’ve seen recently, like the ANBERNIC RG 477M, it maintains the 16:9 aspect ratio for excellent upscaling of PSP games, and the screen looks miles better than the original hardware.
It also keeps the D-pad-focused symmetrical control layout, with an added second joystick for compatibility with even more consoles. No sliders here, either. These are Hall effect sticks with a great range of motion and RGB lights, if you’re into that.
Nick Fernandez / Android Authority
Overall, everything just feels great. The buttons are relatively quiet, with microswitch-style shoulder buttons and analog triggers. The grips around the back and generously rounded edges make it easy and comfortable to hold. It’s a little too big to be pocketable, but it’s super light, so with a case, it’s easy to slip into a backpack.
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