MagicX XU Mini M // A NEW CHALLENGER ARRIVES // In-Depth Look - Unboxing, Teardown, Emulation & More

[@retrotechdad]

09/2024 Note: This handheld has been confirmed to be a RK3326, which explains its performance. The RK3562 in the Mini M are "fake" chips that have been silk-screened to look like they are authentic. As such, performance shown in this video is reflective of what can be expected with the handheld. PlumOS is starting to cook here: github.com/game-de-it/XU_MINI_M I think this one has a solid future ahead of it! What does everyone else think?

[@DigitalJedi898]

Can’t wait to get my hands on this one. The sticks the layout and it looks more comfortable then the other micro options Hope Plumb is awesome. Really excited about the new chipset and new CFW both different then others we’ve used!

[@Curlyman172000]

Hey retro tech dad are you getting any problems loading games😢 Am having problems. I got the device played for a few and charged it now it won’t load games anymore is the sd card broken? I took the sd card out and put it in my computer and the roms are there but I can’t get the games to play anymore

[@FrancisJimenezRoldan]

La última versión de PlumOS aumenta la velocidad del procesador de 1,3 a 1,5 ghz

[@NeoSpartan117]

Great review on a great little handheld. Really hope more people adopt those sticks!

[@retrotechdad]

The sticks are sooooo good!

[@JH_On_Lofi]

Finally a new chipset, although it's still the same "plays all the way up to PS1 perfectly with n64/Dreamcast/PSP having some issues" story.

[@wingsfromheaven8788]

Agreed. This device is a game changer considering the pricing, upgraded sticks, chipset and CFW potential. Benchmarks suggest this chipset will be the one to beat among budget handhelds (sub-$100). The AnTuTu score (144k) is much faster than the RK3566 (65k), and even significantly faster than the S922X (107k). I'm not interested in 2.8" screens but this device just showed us the future of budget handhelds.

[@albertosaldivar2934]

​@@wingsfromheaven8788oh no it comes a new anbernic saga with more machines that can't rea h gamecube emulation

[@wingsfromheaven8788]

@@albertosaldivar2934 GameCube emulation is still out-of-reach in 'budget' handhelds such as this. But the price-performance of the RK3562 is a major step towards uncompromised N64, DC and PSP emulation under $70 (4" WiFi HDMI). The RP2S (T610) is as close as we've come otherwise, to include some GC emulation and inviable build-quality, but the smallish 3.5" screen and Android setup left us yearning for a RockChip (RK3588) in a sub-$100 handheld. In the meantime, 2024 taught Anbernic that retro gaming enthusiasts will buy anything they produce, no matter how niche (1:1, 3:2 aspects), under-powered (H700) or lame in light of better sticks (or no sticks). So Anbernic is only reacting to an irrational market driven by price and FOMO. We might all be better served by ignoring the hype for at least another year, but what's the fun in that?

[@Sadtiric]

This is so pretty! I meant to watch this sooner! 💚 I want one of the crystal colors! ^_^ Happy that Plum has been doing some good work here!

[@retrotechdad]

Aww, thanks for watching and for the support as always! 🙏🙏 I need the crystal colors in my life. 😅

[@Sadtiric]

@@retrotechdad I just picked up that new blue crystal Xbox controller for a close friend. Crystal colorways for life! 💚 And of course! ^_^

[@retrohandhelds]

PlumOS let's gooooo!

[@Pridetoons]

THIS!!!

[@deadfred69]

Love your take on this. I hope the community gets behind this one and helps it get way better. Great video friend

[@retrotechdad]

Hey Fred! It’s awesome seeing you in the comments. Thank you so much for your kind words 🙏 Same, I really hope we get some solid CFW for this.

[@turnbasedtoddy7664]

It boggles my mind that we STILL have company’s releasing locked down Operating systems in 2024. We shouldn’t have to wait for someone else to fix it with CFW. It’s a shame because this little guy looks pretty cool but I’m not supporting a company that does that. Like why would they underclock the cpu?

[@retrotechdad]

Agreed, let’s see if MagicX follows through with their promise and releases an unlocked firmware.

[@jeffreypeters5578]

Possibly cuz they run hot.

[@KyleRuggles]

This is pretty damn sweet, not a fan of the lack of wifi though. Hopefully we'll get some CFW's. Great review once again!

[@retrotechdad]

There seems to be a lot of interest in this one! I'm hoping for something pretty solid on the CFW front 🤞🤞

[@KyleRuggles]

@@retrotechdad Here here! Still a huge bummer without wifi though, I love me some retro achievements and OTA updates.

[@cho-v4n]

Stop everything. There's a new tech dad video! I don't even care about this device but I sure do enjoy your videos Rob 🙂

[@retrotechdad]

😅😅It's good to be back, got the AC fixed and I can record freely!

[@CrowScareify]

I agree that the look of this thing is not my favorite. But almost everything else about it seems awesome!

[@retrotechdad]

I wonder if an all black or white would look better?

[@vlesmeries]

This feels the best to me out of the 3 minis. I have the Anbernic and Miyoo as well.

[@retrotechdad]

I agree, I think it's a perfect compromise between size and comfort.

[@braken67]

That membrane on for the buttons is prone to breaking off. Had it happen to a friend of mine after heavy use of the device. The A stopped registering and it was that the membrane on the A button tore off.

[@azenyr]

They say on their website and on their AliExpress description that this device does indeed have WIFI and Bluetooth ... I don't understand if the board has the chips, just disabled, or if they are writing the wrong specs on the spec sheet

[@retrotechdad]

Definitely no WiFi or Bluetooth here. I've reached out to the MagicX rep to let them know that listing should be corrected. I'm not sure if they work with Ampown on AE but worth a try regardless.

[@L3chuckk]

The only 2 things i dont like is the small screen, and the locked OS. Love it has stereo sound and the 2 speakers. Already have a SF2000, a R36S and want to buy this and the o30s.

[@drewnewby]

How does Rockchip still have quad A53 G52 silicon? Are they salvaging old phones at this point?

[@BASSstarlet]

2.8'' display is a deal breaker for me. 4inch is the minimum acceptable size, unless you're a Smurf!

[@_paczki]

Wow it looks so easy to repair

[@vitorharalambus6537]

Really want to see a video of Plum OS on this!!!

[@lookingforwookiecopilot]

Give me the size and look of the A30, the dual sticks of the Mini M, and the guts, d-pad and buttons of the 28xx.

[@draufbd]

Ah yes good old Mario with his iconic double barrel shotgun.

[@retrotechdad]

Shotgun Mario is a blast 💥

[@JamishS]

Nice review. How is the X-Y axis snapping on the analog stick? I saw you tested with Mario 64, but you only did small movements along a single axis. A lot of these handhelds have a strong axis snapping and tend to stick to the cardinal directions. This makes 3D platformers hard because you can't make small left/right adjustments when running forwards without tilting the stick almost diagonally.

[@sahabatgamerID]

I'm hoping for a better Saturn Experience in PlumOS

[@Pridetoons]

You'll have to keep dreaming on that one sir. ☹️

[@Pridetoons]

You should do a second video with PlumOS! 😁

[@retrotechdad]

Yooo Pridetoons!!! 🤗🤗 I’m planning on it, just want to see things cook a little more. I’ve been following it closely though and have it loaded on my mini right now!

[@Pridetoons]

​@@retrotechdadSounds good to me! 😁👌

[@avivmizrachi4382]

Incredibly comprehendive and super clear video. Just subbed. Im thrilled that CFW is in the works to rescue this beat little handheld, but the claims that its clocked at 1.3 instead of 2.0? Can cfw fix this ?? Shame if it still stays underpowered - or can this be fixed?

[@m4dp4ck3t]

Good review. Will be interesting to we how this performs after a few patches. 500-700Mhz is the difference between losing and winning against the H700.

[@retrotechdad]

I agree and it shows in a lot of games I've tested. I'm hoping we can see those optimizations to make it shine over the H700.

[@mitchthepreacher1512]

LOCO ROCO

[@retrotechdad]

Always, it's one of my favorites on PSP!

[@djwrahfael]

It's a toy for grown ups like us 😅 Nice video dude ✌🏻

[@retrotechdad]

Exactly! We don't grow up, our toys just get more expensive. 😅

[@djwrahfael]

@@retrotechdad And we always want one after another 😆

[@AeolusUX]

Great review. I don't think this is ArkOS though. Save state manager is an amberelec feature.

[@retrotechdad]

Yea, it looks like a weird mixture of ES and AmberElec. Hopefully we get that updated firmware from MagicX soon.

[@jakesmith5278]

Love the thumbsticks. So sick and tired of the Joycon sticks.

[@retrotechdad]

I hope we see these in more devices, so much better!

[@koolkidprozane7786]

They should make one with a Snapdragon Gen 1 in it😬…!

[@MrMajinbu]

I’m looking for a sub 200 $ handheld with all the games and that I could watch Netflix on if I wanted too, any recommendations thank you in advance 👍

[@MrScottyTay]

I wish that devices without WiFi but have OTG would just make that a full size USB port since there are no USB-C wifi dongles being sold. I've got a V10 on the way and I'm going to see how easy/hard it'll be to solder the board of a USB Wifi dongle to the USB port from the inside. If it's good. I can see myself getting this device too and doing the same.

[@retrotechdad]

It's crazy how we STILL don't have any USB C WiFi adapters! 😭

[@Curlyman172000]

I got this device played for a few and charged it and tried playing it again now it won’t load games anymore. Can someone help me?

[@retrotechdad]

Hey, I definitely recommend heading over to the Retro Handhelds Discord. I have a link in my description and lots of great people there can help out! 🙏

[@Curlyman172000]

@@retrotechdad I will try

[@Pridetoons]

If this had WiFi and Rumble Motors it would have been perfect.

[@iamnotyourbuddyGUY]

My power and reset buttons are flipped lol.

[@retrotechdad]

If it makes you feel better Jay, I accidentally put my shoulder buttons back in reversed. 😅

[@iamnotyourbuddyGUY]

@@retrotechdad I done that many times. Just seen the new colors coming out.

[@Gh0styGames]

🧑🏽‍🦯is so SMOL da wut she say ☠️

[@retrotechdad]

😅😅😅

[@Gh0styGames]

@@retrotechdad 🧑🏽‍🦯the hamheld smol but mighty 😮‍💨

[@gadply]

I thought it was a toy💀

[@retrotechdad]

The best toy plays games 😅

[@isssma0]

This looks like a toy, in a bad way.

[@retrotechdad]

Aren't they all just toys? 😅🧡🧡

[@KyleRuggles]

@@retrotechdad Yup! Toys for us adults!