Device comparison

WaveShare GPM280 CM4 vs. PowKiddy X18

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

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GPM280 CM4
PowKiddy X18

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

Quick verdict

Best value
PowKiddy X18
More portable
GPM280 CM4
Newer model
GPM280 CM4

Main differences

  • WaveShare GPM280 CM4 has similar emulation coverage to PowKiddy X18.
  • PowKiddy X18 is about $50 cheaper based on catalog pricing.
  • WaveShare GPM280 CM4 is roughly 27% smaller.
  • WaveShare GPM280 CM4 runs Linux (RetroPie); PowKiddy X18 runs Android 7.0.

WaveShare

GPM280 CM4

Details
Price
$150
OS
Linux (RetroPie)
Released
Sep 2021
Up to
Dreamcast
Screen
2.8 inch IPS
Weight
?

No reviews yet

0 collectors

PowKiddy

PowKiddy X18

Details
Price
$100
OS
Android 7.0
Released
Mar 2019
Up to
DS
Screen
5.5 inch IPS
Weight
296 grams

No reviews yet

0 collectors

Specs

BetterWorse

SpecGPM280 CM4PowKiddy X18
Price$150$100
OSLinux (RetroPie)Android 7.0
Screen2.8 inch5.5 inch
Aspect ratio4:316:9
Resolution640 x 4801280 x 720
ChipsetBroadcom BCM2711MediaTek MTK8163
CPUCortex-A72Cortex-A53
GPUBroadcom VideoCore VIMali-T720 MP2
RAM1 GB2 GB DDR3
StorageExternal MicroSDInternal 16 GB & External MicroSD
Battery3500 mAh5000 mAh
Weight?296 grams
Dimensions136.4 mm x 67.5 mm x 16.8 mm145 mm x 87 mm x 27 mm
Video outNoYes
BluetoothNoYes
Touch screenNoYes

Emulation

Excellent › Good › Playable › Limited › Unsupported

SystemGPM280 CM4PowKiddy X18
Classic systems
Game BoyExcellentExcellent
NESExcellentExcellent
GenesisExcellentExcellent
GBAExcellentExcellent
SNESExcellentExcellent
PS1ExcellentExcellent
Mid-generation systems
DSGoodGood
N64GoodPlayable
DreamcastGoodLimited
PSPGoodPlayable
SaturnPlayableLimited
Sixth-generation systems
GameCubeLimitedUnsupported
WiiUnsupportedUnsupported
PS2UnsupportedUnsupported
Modern systems
3DSUnsupportedUnsupported
SwitchUnsupportedUnsupported
Wii UUnsupportedUnsupported
PS3UnsupportedUnsupported

Frequently asked

What's the difference between the WaveShare GPM280 CM4 and the PowKiddy X18?
WaveShare GPM280 CM4 has similar emulation coverage to PowKiddy X18. PowKiddy X18 is about $50 cheaper based on catalog pricing. WaveShare GPM280 CM4 is roughly 27% smaller. WaveShare GPM280 CM4 runs Linux (RetroPie); PowKiddy X18 runs Android 7.0.
Which is cheaper, the WaveShare GPM280 CM4 or the PowKiddy X18?
The PowKiddy X18 is the cheaper of the two at around $100, roughly $50 less than the WaveShare GPM280 CM4 based on catalog pricing.
Which is newer, the WaveShare GPM280 CM4 or the PowKiddy X18?
The WaveShare GPM280 CM4 is the newer model, released in 2021.

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