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Project X Preview – A PS5-Style Handheld with a Budget Twist

Hey fam! 👋


You have to give it to these handheld makers, they keep coming up with some of the most unique names out there. Enter Project X, a budget-friendly handheld console that borrows the body style of a PS5 controller and squeezes in a 4.3-inch display. But is this just a gimmick, or could it be a fun little gaming companion? Let’s dive in.


Design and Display

At first glance, Project X looks like a PS5 controller with a screen slapped in the middle. It features a 4.3-inch IPS LCD panel with an 800 × 480 resolution, which works out to about 217 PPI (pixels per inch). That’s not razor sharp by modern standards, but it’s decent enough for retro titles up to the PS1 era.

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The control layout is familiar: a PlayStation-style arrangement with ABXY face buttons (Xbox format), a traditional D-pad, and dual analog sticks placed below and slightly inward from the face buttons. The sticks are described as “3D”—likely budget switch-style joysticks, not the premium Hall Effect or TMR types we’ve been seeing in higher-end handhelds.


Adding a touch of flair, the device includes ambient lighting strips between the D-pad and buttons, though so far, they only appear to glow blue.

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Hardware and Performance

Here’s where things get interesting. The ATM7051 SoC isn’t one most handheld fans will recognize. It’s an ARM Cortex-A9 quad-core processor, originally designed for entry-level tablets and media players. The chip pairs with a Mali-450 GPU, which is an older graphics processor but capable enough for 2D and some light 3D retro gaming.

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Paired with 2GB of RAM (likely DDR3 given the SoC’s age and limitations), this won’t be competing with modern Android handhelds, but it should handle 8- and 16-bit systems, arcade titles, and early PlayStation games fairly comfortably.


Storage is 8GB of eMMC, which houses a Linux-based OS/firmware and comes preloaded with around 2000 games. For those who want more, it supports microSD expansion up to 128GB.

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Controls and Ports

On the top edge you’ll find:

  • PS-style shoulder buttons (L1/L2, R1/R2 stacked)

  • Power button

  • Volume rocker

  • USB-C port

  • Micro-USB port (a curious addition in 2025)

  • Mini HDMI port

  • MicroSD slot

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The symmetry of the design mirrors the PS5 controller aesthetic. On the back are dual stereo

speakers and a reset button near the bottom.


Battery Life

Inside is a 2500 mAh battery. With the efficiency of the ATM7051 SoC and relatively low-resolution display, you can likely expect 3 to 4 hours of playtime on a full charge. Not marathon-ready, but reasonable for casual gaming sessions.


Price and Availability

The best deal I’ve found for Project X is just $24.99 USD on AliExpress.


Or if you prefer, here’s an alternate affiliate link.


Final Thoughts

Project X is shaping up to be an entry-level retro handheld that’s as much about style as it is about gaming. With its PS5-inspired shell, blue ambient lighting, and sub-$30 price point, it could be a fun impulse buy for retro fans—or a quirky gift for someone who wants to dip their toes into handheld emulation.


What do you think of Project X? Is this a budget gem, or just another curiosity in the crowded handheld market? Let me know in the comments below or over in the สุ่มศูนย์ของ Handheld Hodgepodge. I’d love to hear your take.


Until next time! 👋


P'Nick ✨

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