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| The Mangmi Pocket Max will be more powerful than the Mangmi Air X. |
The retro and portable gaming scene is hotter than ever. In 2024, we’ve seen stellar devices for every budget, from affordable emulation kings to premium Windows powerhouses. One of the year’s biggest surprises came from a newcomer: Mangmi, which burst onto the scene with the well-received Air X. Now, it seems they’re not resting on their laurels. The company has just dropped a tantalizing teaser for its next device, the Mangmi Pocket Max, suggesting a bigger, more powerful, and more versatile machine is on the horizon.
A First Look: Bigger Form, Familiar Layout
The announcement, made via the company's official social channels, includes a single shadowy teaser image. It’s enough, however, to draw some exciting early conclusions. The silhouette clearly shows a device larger than the compact Air X, promising a more substantial grip and likely a bigger display.
Fans of mainstream console layouts will be pleased. The image reveals asymmetrical thumbsticks and an action button arrangement that mirrors the popular Xbox controller layout—a design choice that has become a beloved standard for many handheld gamers. In the top-right corner, what appear to be volume and power buttons are visible, hinting at a clean and accessible top-edge design.
Powered by imagination.
— MANGMI Official (@MANGMI_Official) December 12, 2025
Driven by performance.
🎮Pocket Max is #MANGMI’s answer to what true creativity and performance should look like.
Built not only for gaming—
but for opening up every world you want to explore
Unleash your imagination
Coming soonhttps://t.co/6PDVOEPB3q pic.twitter.com/ccM751u8UC
Performance Promises and Speculation
Mangmi is playing its cards close to the chest regarding full specifications, but the language in its announcement is bold. The company directly states the Pocket Max will offer “better performance” than the Air X. Furthermore, they intriguingly note that the handheld “isn’t built only for gaming.” This opens the door to possibilities like enhanced media consumption, light productivity, or even cloud gaming optimization.
The rumor mill, however, is already churning. Early speculation from industry watchers points to a possible Snapdragon 865 chipset at its heart. While not the latest silicon, this remains a capable and proven processor, famously used in the AYN Odin, which still delivers excellent emulation performance up to PlayStation 2 and GameCube. If paired with ample RAM and efficient cooling, it could be a sweet spot for performance-per-dollar.
The All-Important Price Question
Of course, performance is only half the battle. The final price will make or break the Pocket Max’s appeal in a crowded market. The speculation around the Snapdragon 865 offers a clue—it’s an older, more affordable chip now. This could allow Mangmi to position the Pocket Max aggressively.
For context, the popular Retroid Pocket 5 officially sells for $199 (though it often retails for around $233.10 on Amazon). If Mangmi can undercut or match that price while offering a larger form factor and similar or better performance, they could have another hit on their hands. You can check the current market price for competitors like the Retroid Pocket 5 here to see what Mangmi might be up against.
What We Know (And What’s Next)
For now, the details are sparse but promising. We know the Mangmi Pocket Max is coming, it will be larger than the Air X, and it promises a power boost and multi-function use. The single teaser image has successfully stoked community excitement, with many eager to see if this new brand can deliver a one-two punch in the handheld arena.
Mangmi made the official announcement on their X (formerly Twitter) account. You can view the teaser image for yourself right here to analyze the silhouette.
As with any teaser, the wait for concrete information begins. We expect more details on specifications, features, that all-important release window, and price to surface in the coming weeks as the launch draws nearer. One thing is clear: the portable gaming market just got even more interesting.