Although we've seen a lot of powerful gaming handhelds launch for around $299 recently, such as the Ayaneo Pocket DS and the GPD Win 5, we're starting to see more budget-friendly Android options for those who don't want to break the bank. The Mangmi Air X is the latest of the bunch to hit the market for under $100, and given its specs, it sounds like an absolute bargain.
Available from mid-September for $79.99 as an early bird offer until it rises to $89.99, the Mangmi Air X features the following:
- Qualcomm Snapdragon 662 processor
- Adreno 610 GPU
- 5.5" FHD 1920 x 1080 IPS touch screen
- Up to 450 nits of brightness
- 4GB of LPDDR4X RAM
- 64GB of Storage
- 5,000mAh battery
- Android 14 operating system
- RGB Hall joysticks
- Available in three colors: Black, White, and Retro GB
Before it's even available, the impressive specs make the Mangmi Air X a tempting purchase for anyone and a potential future pick for our guide to the best retro handhelds, especially at that introductory price point. One of the standout features of the Mangmi Air X is its RGB 3D Hall joysticks, which offer better accuracy when playing FPS games. You can also decide on a color to light up the joysticks, which is a nice cosmetic touch.
With handheld consoles such as the Nintendo Switch 2 costing $449 and the ROG Xbox Ally reportedly retailing for as much as $599, it's refreshing to see very cheap Android handhelds featuring powerful specs enter an untapped space in 2025.
Other cheap Android gaming handhelds like the Magic X 40 and the Super Pocket are also perfect for playing the best Android games, such as Chrono Trigger and Stardew Valley, on a budget. But the Mangmi Air X could take the crown for the best cheap Android gaming handheld once it's out next month, based on the specs it's offering.
If you're looking for something bigger to game on right now, take a look at our guide to the best Steam Deck alternatives while you're here. Or, check out our best gaming tablets and the best gaming phones lists if you're thinking of upgrading sometime soon.