Device comparison

QRD Vortex F5 vs. PowKiddy RK2023

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

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QRD Vortex F5
RK2023

Shown to scale from each device’s real-world dimensions.

Quick verdict

Best value
RK2023
More portable
RK2023
Newer model
QRD Vortex F5

Main differences

  • QRD Vortex F5 has similar emulation coverage to PowKiddy RK2023.
  • PowKiddy RK2023 is about $5 cheaper based on catalog pricing.
  • PowKiddy RK2023 is roughly 49% smaller and 47% lighter.
  • QRD Vortex F5 runs Linux; PowKiddy RK2023 runs Linux: JELOS (Unofficial).
  • QRD Vortex F5 is highlighted for PSP, N64, PS1, GBA; PowKiddy RK2023 is highlighted for DS, PS1, Genesis, GBA.

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

PowKiddy

RK2023

Details
Price
$85
OS
Linux: JELOS (Unofficial)
Released
Jun 2023
Up to
Dreamcast
Screen
3.5 inch IPS
Weight
175 grams

No reviews yet

0 collectors

Specs

BetterWorse

SpecQRD Vortex F5RK2023
Price$90$85
OSLinuxLinux: JELOS (Unofficial)
Screen5.5 inch3.5 inch
Aspect ratio16:94:3
Resolution1280 x 720640 x 480
RAM1 GB LPDDR4X1 GB LPDDR4
StorageInternal 8 GB eMMC, External MicroSDDual External MicroSD
Battery5000 mAh3500 mAh
Weight330 grams175 grams
Dimensions223 mm x 103 mm x 35 mm151.5 mm x 78 mm x 17.5 mm
BluetoothYesNo
Hall effect sticksYesNo
Analog triggersYesNo

Emulation

Excellent › Good › Playable › Limited › Unsupported

SystemQRD Vortex F5RK2023
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

  • 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
  • RK2023 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 3DS: Nintendo 3DS: Only the easiest to emulate games are barely playable 3DS will only work on Android, not Linux
  • RK2023 3DS: Nintendo 3DS: Only the easiest to emulate games are barely playable 3DS will only work on Android, not Linux
  • QRD Vortex F5 GBA: Nintendo Game Boy Advance: Almost all games playable at full speed without frameskip
  • RK2023 GBA: Nintendo Game Boy Advance: Almost all games playable at full speed without 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
  • RK2023 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 NES: Nintendo Entertainment System: Almost all games playable at full speed without frameskip
  • RK2023 NES: Nintendo Entertainment System: Almost all games playable at full speed without frameskip
  • QRD Vortex F5 PS1: Sony Playstation: Almost all games playable at full speed without frameskip
  • RK2023 PS1: Sony Playstation: Almost all games playable at full speed without frameskip
  • QRD Vortex F5 PS2: Sony Playstation 2: Only the easiest to emulate games are barely playable PS2 will only work on Android, not Linux
  • RK2023 PS2: Sony Playstation 2: Only the easiest to emulate games are barely playable PS2 will only work on Android, not Linux
  • QRD Vortex F5 PS3: Sony Playstation 3: Either cannot run any games at all or games are unplayably slow
  • RK2023 PS3: Sony Playstation 3: Either cannot run any games at all or games are unplayably slow
  • 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
  • RK2023 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 Wii: Nintendo Wii: Either cannot run any games at all or games are unplayably slow
  • RK2023 Wii: Nintendo Wii: Either cannot run any games at all or games are unplayably slow
  • QRD Vortex F5 SNES: Super Nintendo Entertainment System: Almost all games playable at full speed without frameskip
  • RK2023 SNES: Super Nintendo Entertainment System: Almost all games playable at full speed without frameskip
  • QRD Vortex F5 Wii U: Nintendo Wii U: Either cannot run any games at all or games are unplayably slow
  • RK2023 Wii U: Nintendo Wii U: Either cannot run any games at all or games are unplayably slow
  • QRD Vortex F5 Saturn: Sega Saturn: Most games playable but mostly with frameskip, struggles with harder to emulate games
  • RK2023 Saturn: Sega Saturn: Most games playable but mostly with frameskip, struggles with harder to emulate games
  • QRD Vortex F5 Switch: Nintendo Switch: Either cannot run any games at all or games are unplayably slow
  • RK2023 Switch: Nintendo Switch: Either cannot run any games at all or games are unplayably slow
  • QRD Vortex F5 Genesis: Sega Genesis / Mega Drive: Almost all games playable at full speed without frameskip
  • RK2023 Genesis: Sega Genesis / Mega Drive: 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
  • RK2023 Game Boy: Game Boy / Game Boy Color: Almost all games playable at full speed without frameskip
  • QRD Vortex F5 GameCube: Nintendo GameCube: Only the easiest to emulate games are barely playable
  • RK2023 GameCube: Nintendo GameCube: Only the easiest to emulate games are barely playable
  • 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
  • RK2023 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 QRD Vortex F5 and the PowKiddy RK2023?
QRD Vortex F5 has similar emulation coverage to PowKiddy RK2023. PowKiddy RK2023 is about $5 cheaper based on catalog pricing. PowKiddy RK2023 is roughly 49% smaller and 47% lighter. QRD Vortex F5 runs Linux; PowKiddy RK2023 runs Linux: JELOS (Unofficial). QRD Vortex F5 is highlighted for PSP, N64, PS1, GBA; PowKiddy RK2023 is highlighted for DS, PS1, Genesis, GBA.
Which is cheaper, the QRD Vortex F5 or the PowKiddy RK2023?
The PowKiddy RK2023 is the cheaper of the two at around $85, roughly $5 less than the QRD Vortex F5 based on catalog pricing.
Which is newer, the QRD Vortex F5 or the PowKiddy RK2023?
The QRD Vortex F5 is the newer model, released in 2025.

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