Both are $125–$130 horizontal handhelds from PowKiddy released in mid-to-late 2021, so the differences come down to software flexibility and emulation reach. The RGB10 Max 2 runs an RK3326 chip and supports a wide range of operating systems — including Batocera, EmuELEC, and Android 11 — topping out around Nintendo DS emulation, making it the stronger choice for tinkerers who want OS options. The X17 uses a MediaTek MTK8163 and is locked to Android 7.0, but its emulation ceiling extends to Nintendo 64, suiting buyers who prioritize that extra headroom over software flexibility.
| PowKiddy RGB10 Max 2 | PowKiddy X17 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $125 | $130 |
| Brand | PowKiddy | PowKiddy |
| Released | 2021 / 10 | 2021 / 07 |
| Type | Horizontal | Horizontal |
| OS | Batocera, EmuELEC, Lineage 18.1/Android 11, RecalBox, RetroArena, / RetroOz, RRVL, Ubuntu | Android 7.0 |
| Performance | ||
| Chip (SoC) | RockChip RK3326 | MediaTek MTK8163 V/B |
| CPU | Cortex-A35 | Cortex-A53 |
| GPU | Mali-G31 MP2 | Mali-T720 MP2 |
| RAM | 1 GB DDR3 | 2 GB DDR3 |
| Storage | External MicroSD | Internal 32 GB eMMC, External MicroSD |
| Cooling | Single ventilation cutout on bottom | — |
| Power tier | Entry | Entry |
| Display | ||
| Screen size | 5.0 inch | 7.0 inch |
| Screen type | IPS | IPS Touchscreen |
| Resolution | 854 x 480 | 1024 x 600 |
| Refresh rate | 60 Hz | 60 Hz |
| Pixel density | 195.93 PPI | 169.55 PPI |
| Aspect ratio | 16:9 | 128:75 |
| Body & battery | ||
| Battery | 4200 mAh | 4000 mAh |
| Weight | 219 grams | — |
| Dimensions | 195 mm x 76 mm x 18 mm | 255 mm x 130 mm x 45 mm |
| Shell | Plastic | Plastic |
| Colors | Black, White, Rose | Black |
| Ports & connectivity | ||
| Wireless | Dual USB-C OTG, Bluetooth, WiFi 4 | Bluetooth 4, Wi-Fi 4 (a/b/g/n), GPS, USB-A (2.0) x2 |
| Video out | ❌ | Mini HDMI |
| Charging port | USB-C x2 | USB-C |
| Audio out | 3.5mm Headphone | 3.5mm Headphone |
| Speakers | Single Mono Bottom facing | Dual Stereo Rear facing |
| PowKiddy RGB10 Max 2 | PowKiddy X17 | |
|---|---|---|
| Game Boy / Color | A | A |
| NES | A | A |
| Genesis / Mega Drive | A | A |
| Game Boy Advance | A | A |
| SNES | A | A |
| PlayStation 1 | A | A |
| Nintendo DS | B | C |
| Nintendo 64 | C | B |
| Dreamcast | C | C |
| PSP | C | D |
| Sega Saturn | D | D |
| GameCube | F | F |
| Nintendo 3DS | F | F |
| Nintendo Wii | F | F |
| PlayStation 2 | F | F |
| Switch | F | F |
| Wii U | F | F |
| PlayStation 3 | F | F |
Bottom line: The PowKiddy RGB10 Max 2 is the cheaper option at $125; the PowKiddy RGB10 Max 2 is more powerful and emulates more demanding systems.
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