Mangmi Teases Pocket Max With Snapdragon 865 Chipset

Mangmi has officially teased its next Android-based handheld, the Pocket Max, via a post on its official X account. The announcement comes just months after the company's well-received Air X, a sub-$100 device that carved out a niche for itself in the crowded budget emulation market. While the teaser image reveals little beyond a sleek, modern design, industry observers are already speculating on what the 'Max' moniker might entail.

📜 The Evolution of Portable PowerThe Snapdragon 865 was Qualcomm's flagship mobile chipset in 2020, powering premium smartphones like the Samsung Galaxy S20 and OnePlus 8. Its inclusion in a dedicated gaming handheld represents a significant shift, bringing console-level emulation performance that was previously only possible on high-end phones with external controllers.

According to the speculation noted by Retro Handhelds, the Pocket Max is expected to be powered by a Qualcomm Snapdragon 865 chipset. This would be a significant step up from the Air X's Unisoc T820, placing it in the same performance bracket as devices like the Retroid Pocket 5. Such a chip is more than capable of handling demanding PlayStation 2 and GameCube libraries, potentially offering smooth performance for titles like God of War (2005) and The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker (2002) that often challenge lesser hardware.

For retro gaming enthusiasts, this progression mirrors the constant push for more accessible, portable emulation. The ability to reliably play sixth-generation console games on the go was once the preserve of high-end devices, but as chips like the Snapdragon 865 filter down, that barrier continues to fall. It represents the latest chapter in a long-running story that began with devices struggling to emulate the Super Nintendo Entertainment System cleanly.

Naturally, this boost in power suggests a higher price point than the Air X's budget-friendly positioning. The key question for the community will be whether Mangmi can maintain its reputation for value while incorporating more premium components. The company earned praise for the solid construction of the Air X, so hopes are high for the Pocket Max's build quality. More concrete details, including final specifications, pricing, and a release window, are expected to be revealed in the coming weeks.

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