Device comparison

PowKiddy X18S vs. ClockworkPi GameShell

Compare specs, emulation support, community reviews, ownership, and play history.

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PowKiddy X18S
GameShell

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Quick verdict

Best value
GameShell
Better screen
PowKiddy X18S
More portable
GameShell
Newer model
PowKiddy X18S

Main differences

  • PowKiddy X18S has stronger listed emulation coverage.
  • ClockworkPi GameShell is about $14 cheaper based on catalog pricing.
  • ClockworkPi GameShell is roughly 17% smaller and 37% lighter.
  • PowKiddy X18S has a 60 Hz IPS screen, versus 60 Hz TFT on ClockworkPi GameShell.
  • PowKiddy X18S runs Android 11; ClockworkPi GameShell runs Clockwork OS.

PowKiddy

PowKiddy X18S

Details
Price
$173
OS
Android 11
Released
Sep 2021
Up to
Saturn
Screen
5.5 inch IPS
Weight
308 grams

No reviews yet

0 collectors

ClockworkPi

GameShell

Details
Price
$159
OS
Clockwork OS
Released
Jan 2018
Up to
PS1
Screen
2.7 inch TFT
Weight
195 grams

No reviews yet

0 collectors

Specs

BetterWorse

SpecPowKiddy X18SGameShell
Price$173$159
OSAndroid 11Clockwork OS
Screen5.5 inch2.7 inch
Aspect ratio16:94:3
Resolution1280 x 720320 x 240
PanelIPSTFT
ChipsetUNISOC Tiger T618Allwinner R16-J
CPUCortex-A75 / Cortex-A55Cortex-A7
GPUMali-G52 MP2Mali-400 MP2
RAM4 GB LPDDR4X1 GB DDR3
StorageInternal 64 GB eMMC,Internal MicroSD
Battery5000 mAh1020 mAh BL-5C
Weight308 grams195 grams
Dimensions152 mm x 92 mm x 22.5 mm136 mm x 85 mm x 24 mm
Touch screenYesNo

Emulation

Excellent › Good › Playable › Limited › Unsupported

SystemPowKiddy X18SGameShell
Classic systems
Game Boy
NES
Genesis
GBA
SNES
PS1
Mid-generation systems
DS
N64
Dreamcast
PSP
Saturn
Sixth-generation systems
GameCube
Wii
PS2
Modern systems
3DS
Switch
Wii U
PS3

Emulation source notes

  • PowKiddy X18S DS: Nintendo DS: Almost all games playable at full speed without frameskip
  • GameShell DS: Nintendo DS: Most games playable but mostly with frameskip, struggles with harder to emulate games This device does not have a touchscreen, so you won't be able to play DS games that rely heavily on the touchscreen
  • PowKiddy X18S 3DS: Nintendo 3DS: Most games playable but mostly with frameskip, struggles with harder to emulate games
  • GameShell 3DS: Nintendo 3DS: Either cannot run any games at all or games are unplayably slow
  • PowKiddy X18S GBA: Nintendo Game Boy Advance: Almost all games playable at full speed without frameskip
  • GameShell GBA: Nintendo Game Boy Advance: Almost all games playable at full speed without frameskip
  • PowKiddy X18S N64: Nintendo 64: Almost all games playable at full speed without frameskip
  • GameShell N64: Nintendo 64: Most games playable but mostly with frameskip, struggles with harder to emulate games
  • PowKiddy X18S NES: Nintendo Entertainment System: Almost all games playable at full speed without frameskip
  • GameShell NES: Nintendo Entertainment System: Almost all games playable at full speed without frameskip
  • PowKiddy X18S PS1: Sony Playstation: Almost all games playable at full speed without frameskip
  • GameShell PS1: Sony Playstation: Almost all games playable at full speed without frameskip
  • PowKiddy X18S PS2: Sony Playstation 2: Most games playable but mostly with frameskip, struggles with harder to emulate games
  • GameShell PS2: Sony Playstation 2: Either cannot run any games at all or games are unplayably slow
  • PowKiddy X18S PS3: Sony Playstation 3: Either cannot run any games at all or games are unplayably slow
  • GameShell PS3: Sony Playstation 3: Either cannot run any games at all or games are unplayably slow
  • PowKiddy X18S PSP: Sony Playstation Portable: Almost all games playable at full speed without frameskip
  • GameShell PSP: Sony Playstation Portable: Only the easiest to emulate games are barely playable
  • PowKiddy X18S Wii: Nintendo Wii: Most games playable but mostly with frameskip, struggles with harder to emulate games
  • GameShell Wii: Nintendo Wii: Either cannot run any games at all or games are unplayably slow
  • PowKiddy X18S SNES: Super Nintendo Entertainment System: Almost all games playable at full speed without frameskip
  • GameShell SNES: Super Nintendo Entertainment System: Almost all games playable at full speed without frameskip
  • PowKiddy X18S Wii U: Nintendo Wii U: Cemu for Android is only compatible with Adreno GPUs and Android 11-14, so any device with a Mali GPU will not run Cemu.
  • GameShell Wii U: Nintendo Wii U: Either cannot run any games at all or games are unplayably slow
  • PowKiddy X18S Saturn: Sega Saturn: Most games playable at full speed, a few games have lower frame rates but still mostly playable with frameskip
  • GameShell Saturn: Sega Saturn: Only the easiest to emulate games are barely playable
  • PowKiddy X18S Switch: Nintendo Switch: Either cannot run any games at all or games are unplayably slow
  • GameShell Switch: Nintendo Switch: Either cannot run any games at all or games are unplayably slow
  • PowKiddy X18S Genesis: Sega Genesis / Mega Drive: Almost all games playable at full speed without frameskip
  • GameShell Genesis: Sega Genesis / Mega Drive: Almost all games playable at full speed without frameskip
  • PowKiddy X18S Game Boy: Game Boy / Game Boy Color: Almost all games playable at full speed without frameskip
  • GameShell Game Boy: Game Boy / Game Boy Color: Almost all games playable at full speed without frameskip
  • PowKiddy X18S GameCube: Nintendo GameCube: Most games playable but mostly with frameskip, struggles with harder to emulate games
  • GameShell GameCube: Nintendo GameCube: Either cannot run any games at all or games are unplayably slow
  • PowKiddy X18S Dreamcast: Sega Dreamcast: Almost all games playable at full speed without frameskip
  • GameShell Dreamcast: Sega Dreamcast: Most games playable but mostly with frameskip, struggles with harder to emulate games

Frequently asked

What's the difference between the PowKiddy X18S and the ClockworkPi GameShell?
PowKiddy X18S has stronger listed emulation coverage. ClockworkPi GameShell is about $14 cheaper based on catalog pricing. ClockworkPi GameShell is roughly 17% smaller and 37% lighter. PowKiddy X18S has a 60 Hz IPS screen, versus 60 Hz TFT on ClockworkPi GameShell. PowKiddy X18S runs Android 11; ClockworkPi GameShell runs Clockwork OS.
Which is cheaper, the PowKiddy X18S or the ClockworkPi GameShell?
The ClockworkPi GameShell is the cheaper of the two at around $159, roughly $14 less than the PowKiddy X18S based on catalog pricing.
Which is newer, the PowKiddy X18S or the ClockworkPi GameShell?
The PowKiddy X18S is the newer model, released in 2021.

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