Powkiddy has shown off the colors for their upcoming V90S, a follow-up to their somewhat innovative V90 from 2021. This new handheld joins the ranks of the Miyoo Flip, Anbernic RG35XX SP, and the newly announced RG34XX SP.

Over the past four years, Powkiddy has been largely dormant when it comes to clamshell designs inspired by the original Game Boy Advance SP. The company was once known for having the only retro handheld that borrowed key design elements from the device that inspired its creation. Now, Powkiddy is revisiting the clamshell subniche to remind those who may have forgotten that they started this trend years before others gained notoriety for their releases.

What to Expect From the Powkiddy V90S

Powkiddy has garnered a reputation for building budget-friendly yet worthwhile devices. The biggest trade-offs often come in build quality, a compromise the company makes to keep costs low. However, Powkiddy typically strives to stay current with processing power and internal components in each handheld release, and the Powkiddy V90S is no exception.

The original V90 can still look nice / Image: Jdewitz/Retro Handheld Collection

While we can’t yet speak directly to the build quality of the V90S, the chipset has already been confirmed. The device will feature the Allwinner A133P, a processor we’ve seen in a multitude of handhelds over the past year, including the MagicX Mini Zero 28, TrimUI Smart Pro and Brick, and the recently released Powkiddy V20.

This update to the core processing power brings the V90 line into the modern era. The original V90 was often regarded as an “almost good” device, one that felt cheap but had potential. However, it lacked many of the features now considered standard in retro handhelds. For example, while most modern handhelds offer a 640 × 480 display for proper 2x integer scaling on retro consoles, the original V90 used a 320 × 240 screen. It also lacked Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and its TV-out functionality relied on repurposing the 3.5mm audio port.

V90S Colors: Some Old, Some New

Now that Powkiddy is preparing to fully revamp the V90, the company has released a new video and promo pic showcasing the V90S’ available colors.

Keeping with tradition, Powkiddy is releasing yellow and red variants that, color-wise, closely resemble the original V90. However, the new black model takes a more modern approach, featuring a translucent shell that aligns with a growing trend in retro handhelds. In addition to these, a new gray variant will also be available. It doesn’t appear to draw inspiration from the classic DMG Game Boy as it lacks the familiar red accents and instead opts for multiple shades of gray.

A close look at the promotional videos reveals a number of design changes between the original V90 and the new V90S. Notably, the audio port appears to be removed entirely. In its place, the V90S adds dual microSD card slots and dual USB-C ports. The volume rocker has been replaced with two separate buttons, and the start and select buttons have been repositioned from their previous angled layout to a more straightforward design.

Leading Up to the V90S

Earlier this month, Taki Udon, creator of the Super5 OLED screen replacements for the Switch Lite, somehow received a retail unit of the device before it was even officially announced for sale.

PowKiddy V90S arrived. Dual hinges and the battery isn’t a heatsink. Best of all, no screen tearing like the V90. I’ll try to get a first impressions done once I get pricing info. pic.twitter.com/T2G2ixaP5Q

— Taki Udon (@TakiUdon_) May 9, 2025

Although somewhat mysterious, the early appearance of the device supports the company’s claim that its release is coming “soon.” The market has been turbulent recently due to the impact of tariffs on both China-based manufacturers and U.S. customers. Still, companies like Anbernic continue to launch new devices, such as the RG557 and the V90S competitor, the RG34XX SP.

In the lead-up to this release, Powkiddy has introduced a variety of devices featuring different form factors, aspect ratios, and designs. However, the original V90 has remained a standout in their lineup. Seeing it finally receive a proper follow-up, one that places it in direct competition with other clamshell models, is likely to strengthen the brand’s recognition even further.

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