In a barren Anbernic-less 2025, our hopes of retro handhelds have been mostly held up by “Game Console” look-alike brands and hopes of future releases being teased daily. Luckily for us there’s a Powerful Kiddy out there that’s given us a few things to not only look forward to, but also to play. 

Powkiddy released the X35H earlier this year, and having finally got one in from Powkiddy themselves, it’s time to take a look and see if the hype for this device was worth it. Or if maybe we should look to the future, and await the V90S. Or the RGB50, or the RGB10 Max 4, or whatever their crack AI handheld team is working on. 

Powkiddy X35H Specs

If you go to the Powkiddy website right now, you’ll find the X35H for sale at $59.99. However, you can always bring it lower with the infinite Powkiddy coupon codes. Which, in this case, would bring it down to $49.99. As for the specs, you’re getting the following:

• Screen Size: 3.5-inch IPS LCD
• Resolution: 640 x 480, 4:3
• CPU: Rockchip RK3566
• GPU: Mali-G52
• RAM: 1GB LPDDR4X
• Battery: 3000mAh
• Ports: 1x Mini HDMI, 2x USB-C, 1x 3.5mm Jack
• Wi-Fi: ❌
• Dimensions: 150 x 77 x 25mm
• Weight: 181 grams
• Colors: Transparent Blue, Transparent Black, Orange, White

Powkiddy X35H (Direct)Powkiddy X35H (AliExpress)

Powkiddy X35H: Hand Feel

As this is my initial impression of the device, I wanted to comment on the initial feel in hand when just picking the X35H up. With the “yellow” model, I notice it’s got a bit of a slicker texture, however, it does maintain a bit of grip thanks to the small bumps on the back for ergonomics. The plastic itself feels a bit thicker, and does remind me a bit of the RGB10 Max 3 (non-pro) and helps with my opinion towards its quality. 

For a 3.5” handheld, it’s less compact than Anbernic’s old candy bar 3.5” devices, I think it lends to the ergonomic experience and could make this one of the more comfortable 3.5” devices you’ll come across.

Powkiddy X35H: Controls

Initial impressions of the controls are a bit of a mixed bag for me. The shoulder buttons are in line and placed in a pretty comfortable position for me. However, they ruin that by being super loud and clicky, actually sounding a little bit louder than my RGB10 Max 3. The tension is good, the positioning is good, but that sound is not.

The face buttons continue this trend by being nice, flat-topped buttons that are lovely to press, but I would describe them as “Retroid-Lite” in terms of sound. They feature a bit of a clacky press reminiscent of those Retroid buttons, but they do differ just a little bit. 

The D-pad itself is a bit stiff, and I found myself getting left diagonals pretty easily, but for me, it’s still usable in the games I’d actually play on a device like this. As for the sticks, they have a different texture to them, and compared to the V20, they have a little extra travel too. Not much, but enough that I noticed it. Overall, though, the controls of the X35H are mixed. 

Powerful Kiddy OS

When it comes to officially supported operating systems, you’ve got two options. PowkiddyOS, and GammaOS Core (in Beta release still). With this being a first impression, I’m focused on the out-of-the-box experience with PowkiddyOS. 

The X35H has a bit of a boot-up time, but once you’re in, you’re met with a very OnionOS-styled front end. It’s nice, clean and has a lot of the menu options you might be looking for. At the moment, there’s no option for Wi-Fi in the menu, but it’s possible a Wi-Fi dongle could help solve some of those issues.

Navigating to the system you want is straightforward and the devices performs just like an RK3566 would. And for that I have no qualms. What I do have issue with is the music player test file. If you don’t want spoilers look away, but I am upset that I have been rickrolled by a powkiddy in the year 2025. I can NOT believe this.

Otherwise, PKOS is actually really nice. 

Final Thoughts

For the fiftyish dollars you’re going to pay for the X35H, I think it’s a nice option, but there are other used and new handhelds around the same price that may be able to offer a better all-around experience for you. My biggest issue with this one is actually my same issue with the V20. No out-of-box Wi-Fi. In 2025, every handheld has something on it that would be made better with that inclusion. While not everyone would want that, I’d rather have the option to turn off the Wi-Fi than not have it at all.

It’s a 3566, it’s built fairly well, and it’ll have all the Powkiddy quirks, concerns, and benefits you should expect by now. In terms of first impressions, I’m fairly lukewarm. But maybe with some time and another custom firmware, this could be a much better handheld. Be sure to look at your options, though, as the market for 3.5” devices is becoming increasingly crowded with every passing month.

Powkiddy X35H (Direct)Powkiddy X35H (AliExpress)

What did you think of this article? Let us know in the comments below, and chat with us in our Discord!

This page may contain affiliate links, by purchasing something through a link, Retro Handhelds may earn a small commission on the sale at no additional cost to you.