Device comparison

PowKiddy X55 vs. QRD Vortex F5

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

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PowKiddy X55
QRD Vortex F5

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Quick verdict

More portable
PowKiddy X55
Newer model
QRD Vortex F5

Main differences

  • QRD Vortex F5 has similar emulation coverage to PowKiddy X55.
  • PowKiddy X55 is roughly 13% smaller and 11% lighter.
  • QRD Vortex F5 runs Linux; PowKiddy X55 runs Linux (JELOS).
  • QRD Vortex F5 is highlighted for PSP, N64, PS1, GBA; PowKiddy X55 is highlighted for DS, PS1, Genesis, GBA.

PowKiddy

PowKiddy X55

Details
Price
$90
OS
Linux (JELOS)
Released
May 2023
Up to
Dreamcast
Screen
5.5 inch IPS
Weight
293 grams

No reviews yet

0 collectors

QRD

QRD Vortex F5

Details
Price
$90
OS
Linux
Released
Feb 2025
Up to
Dreamcast
Screen
5.5 inch IPS
Weight
330 grams

No reviews yet

0 collectors

Specs

BetterWorse

SpecPowKiddy X55QRD Vortex F5
OSLinux (JELOS)Linux
RAM2 GB LPDDR4X1 GB LPDDR4X
StorageInternal 16 GB (eMMC?), Dual External MicroSDInternal 8 GB eMMC, External MicroSD
Battery4000 mAh5000 mAh
Weight293 grams330 grams
Dimensions212.5 mm x 94.5 mm x 19 mm223 mm x 103 mm x 35 mm
Hall effect sticksNoYes
Analog triggersNoYes

Emulation

Excellent › Good › Playable › Limited › Unsupported

SystemPowKiddy X55QRD Vortex F5
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 X55 DS: Nintendo DS: Almost all games playable at full speed without frameskip This device does not have a touchscreen, so you won't be able to play DS games that rely heavily on the touchscreen
  • QRD Vortex F5 DS: Nintendo DS: Almost all games playable at full speed without frameskip This device does not have a touchscreen, so you won't be able to play DS games that rely heavily on the touchscreen
  • PowKiddy X55 3DS: Nintendo 3DS: Only the easiest to emulate games are barely playable 3DS will only work on Android, not Linux
  • QRD Vortex F5 3DS: Nintendo 3DS: Only the easiest to emulate games are barely playable 3DS will only work on Android, not Linux
  • PowKiddy X55 GBA: Nintendo Game Boy Advance: Almost all games playable at full speed without frameskip
  • QRD Vortex F5 GBA: Nintendo Game Boy Advance: Almost all games playable at full speed without frameskip
  • PowKiddy X55 N64: Nintendo 64: Most games playable at full speed, a few games have lower frame rates but still mostly playable with frameskip
  • QRD Vortex F5 N64: Nintendo 64: Most games playable at full speed, a few games have lower frame rates but still mostly playable with frameskip
  • PowKiddy X55 NES: Nintendo Entertainment System: Almost all games playable at full speed without frameskip
  • QRD Vortex F5 NES: Nintendo Entertainment System: Almost all games playable at full speed without frameskip
  • PowKiddy X55 PS1: Sony Playstation: Almost all games playable at full speed without frameskip
  • QRD Vortex F5 PS1: Sony Playstation: Almost all games playable at full speed without frameskip
  • PowKiddy X55 PS2: Sony Playstation 2: Only the easiest to emulate games are barely playable PS2 will only work on Android, not Linux
  • QRD Vortex F5 PS2: Sony Playstation 2: Only the easiest to emulate games are barely playable PS2 will only work on Android, not Linux
  • PowKiddy X55 PS3: Sony Playstation 3: Either cannot run any games at all or games are unplayably slow
  • QRD Vortex F5 PS3: Sony Playstation 3: Either cannot run any games at all or games are unplayably slow
  • PowKiddy X55 PSP: Sony Playstation Portable: Most games playable at full speed, a few games have lower frame rates but still mostly playable with frameskip
  • QRD Vortex F5 PSP: Sony Playstation Portable: Most games playable at full speed, a few games have lower frame rates but still mostly playable with frameskip
  • PowKiddy X55 Wii: Nintendo Wii: Either cannot run any games at all or games are unplayably slow
  • QRD Vortex F5 Wii: Nintendo Wii: Either cannot run any games at all or games are unplayably slow
  • PowKiddy X55 SNES: Super Nintendo Entertainment System: Almost all games playable at full speed without frameskip
  • QRD Vortex F5 SNES: Super Nintendo Entertainment System: Almost all games playable at full speed without frameskip
  • PowKiddy X55 Wii U: Nintendo Wii U: Either cannot run any games at all or games are unplayably slow
  • QRD Vortex F5 Wii U: Nintendo Wii U: Either cannot run any games at all or games are unplayably slow
  • PowKiddy X55 Saturn: Sega Saturn: Most games playable but mostly with frameskip, struggles with harder to emulate games
  • QRD Vortex F5 Saturn: Sega Saturn: Most games playable but mostly with frameskip, struggles with harder to emulate games
  • PowKiddy X55 Switch: Nintendo Switch: Either cannot run any games at all or games are unplayably slow
  • QRD Vortex F5 Switch: Nintendo Switch: Either cannot run any games at all or games are unplayably slow
  • PowKiddy X55 Genesis: Sega Genesis / Mega Drive: Almost all games playable at full speed without frameskip
  • QRD Vortex F5 Genesis: Sega Genesis / Mega Drive: Almost all games playable at full speed without frameskip
  • PowKiddy X55 Game Boy: Game Boy / Game Boy Color: Almost all games playable at full speed without frameskip
  • QRD Vortex F5 Game Boy: Game Boy / Game Boy Color: Almost all games playable at full speed without frameskip
  • PowKiddy X55 GameCube: Nintendo GameCube: Only the easiest to emulate games are barely playable
  • QRD Vortex F5 GameCube: Nintendo GameCube: Only the easiest to emulate games are barely playable
  • PowKiddy X55 Dreamcast: Sega Dreamcast: Most games playable at full speed, a few games have lower frame rates but still mostly playable with frameskip
  • QRD Vortex F5 Dreamcast: Sega Dreamcast: Most games playable at full speed, a few games have lower frame rates but still mostly playable with frameskip

Frequently asked

What's the difference between the PowKiddy X55 and the QRD Vortex F5?
QRD Vortex F5 has similar emulation coverage to PowKiddy X55. PowKiddy X55 is roughly 13% smaller and 11% lighter. QRD Vortex F5 runs Linux; PowKiddy X55 runs Linux (JELOS). QRD Vortex F5 is highlighted for PSP, N64, PS1, GBA; PowKiddy X55 is highlighted for DS, PS1, Genesis, GBA.
Which is newer, the PowKiddy X55 or the QRD Vortex F5?
The QRD Vortex F5 is the newer model, released in 2025.

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