LANDSCAPE HANDHELDS · SCREEN, CONTROLS AND PACKAGE VALUE
Choose the handheld you want to hold, then the package you understand.
Choose the TrimUI Smart Pro if you want the smaller source-described body and a lower-priced 64G starting point on the selected offer. Choose the Powkiddy X55 if its larger 5.5-inch display and higher left-stick position are worth the extra space to you. Do not decide from a blanket “X55 costs $80 more” claim: the selected X55 64G is $279.99 against Smart Pro 64G at $199.99, but a separate X55 64G-labelled package is $209.99. Different pages describe different packages; matching capacity labels do not establish equal preparation.
Our practical verdict: Smart Pro is the conditional starting recommendation for a price-conscious personal landscape routine. X55 becomes the better candidate when larger physical viewing and its control arrangement solve a specific problem, and the exact package has been checked. Neither a larger screen nor a higher price proves better results in your favorite game.
Reviewed October 8, 2026. Prices below are USD selling prices from the identified product records, not universal model prices or a checkout quote. Hardware figures are attributed listing specifications unless described as a visible control layout. This is a buying comparison, not a hands-on benchmark. The site's purple R36S cover is a different model from the two landscape handhelds discussed here.
1. The 30-second choice
Start with what makes a session enjoyable. If you regularly read dialogue and want more physical viewing room, investigate X55. If carrying size and a lower selected-package price matter more, investigate Smart Pro. If your main interest is a demanding game or a specific firmware, settle that requirement before choosing either shell.
| What matters most? | Start here | Check before ordering |
|---|---|---|
| Larger physical game view | X55, source-described 5.5-inch IPS | Your game's aspect ratio, text size and scaling |
| Smaller source-described body | Smart Pro, source-described 4.96-inch IPS | Actual dimensions, carrying arrangement and thumb reach |
| Lower price on the selected 64G offer | Smart Pro at $199.99 | Exact contents and installed software |
| X55 with another storage/package route | Independent X55 64G-labelled offer at $209.99 | Its own console, media, preparation and packing |
| D-pad-first play | Compare Smart Pro's upper-left D-pad with X55's lower-left D-pad | Actual grip, diagonals and sustained reach |
| TV play or demanding-system results | Ask for the exact workflow first | Current unit, software, game and necessary accessories |
These recommendations are conditional. We have not measured comparative input latency, outdoor brightness, sustained frame rate, thermal behavior or battery runtime. Price and visible layout can help narrow a choice without pretending those tests exist.
2. Why the exact product page changes the answer
A model name identifies a hardware family; it does not identify every commercial package. This store carries intentional independent X55 offers with different color, storage and bag wording. Their prices and source information must remain attached to their own URLs. A buyer can compare them without treating them as duplicate pages to remove or interchangeable inventories.
For the main four-color X55 offer, White, Black, Green and Blue each have No Card, 64G, 128G and 256G selections. The selected Smart Pro page offers Black, White and Grey with 0G, 64G and 256G labels. At 64G, the listed difference is $80. That is accurate arithmetic for those two pages, not proof that the X55 hardware universally commands an $80 premium.
The independent three-color X55 storage/bag page lists “64G 20k Games” at $209.99. Compared with selected Smart Pro 64G at $199.99, the difference is $10. We are not certifying identical cards, preparation or contents. Instead, this second comparison tells you to examine package evidence before judging the larger handheld expensive by definition.
Another Black/Blue X55 page lists “Black 16GB add 64GB” at $239.99 and its Blue counterpart at $249.99. Its original information states 2GB RAM, while the main offer's information states 1GB. That difference is unresolved source information, not a certified upgrade. An inexpensive alternate Smart Pro page is $179.99 with “64G(13K Games)” labels, but its older Smart/Smart Pro identity conflict makes it a verify-first offer rather than our automatic cheapest recommendation.
Inspect the independent X55 storage and bag choices. Compare their actual packing and preparation with the main offer before choosing on price alone.
3. The selected capacity ladders, kept separate
| Storage label | Main X55 price | Selected Smart Pro price | What the comparison means |
|---|---|---|---|
| X55 No Card / Smart Pro 0G | $239.99 | $179.99 | $60 difference; these labels do not prove equivalent boot preparation |
| 64G | $279.99 | $199.99 | $80 difference on these exact offers |
| 128G | $319.99 | No 128G selection on this page | Do not borrow another Smart Pro offer's tier |
| 256G | $379.99 | $339.99 | $40 difference on these exact offers |
The main X55 has four colors at each of its four storage labels, sixteen combinations. Selected Smart Pro has three colors at each of its three labels, nine combinations. Within these reviewed selections, colors share the same price at a given storage tier. That does not certify identical finish, contents or hardware across every unit.
X55's selected step from No Card to 64G is $40, then another $40 to 128G and $60 to 256G. Smart Pro's step from 0G to 64G is $20; its step from 64G to 256G is $140. Choose based on actual usable room, preparation and the collection you intend to maintain. The larger storage label is not a faster processor or a better display.
The independent X55 page has its own ladder: no card no games $169.99, 64G 20k Games $209.99, 128G 30k Games $249.99 and 256G 60k Games $309.99. These are exact package names containing unverified game counts. A separate 512G 513 PSP Games row is $189.99, an unusual price that needs contents confirmation, not a “best deal” badge. We do not use that anomalous row as the default comparison.
Prices can change, and delivery or destination charges can change the final total. The comparison uses selling prices, not compare-at figures as proof of previous transactions, discounts or bundle quality.
4. Screen size: more physical room, not more evidence of speed
The X55 listing describes a 5.5-inch IPS display; the selected Smart Pro listing describes 4.96-inch IPS. Both model sources describe a landscape 1280×720 presentation, though some tables write the pixel axes in the reverse order. This is source specification information, not independent panel measurement. Reversing written axes does not by itself establish a different pixel count or another hardware revision.
For a text-heavy adventure, a larger physical picture may be useful when the game, viewing distance and scaling choice are otherwise comparable. It is not a universal readability result: font design, borders, brightness and your preferred hold still matter. Check a dialogue box and an inventory screen from the games you actually want to revisit, not just an attractive promotional picture.
A 16:9 panel also does not mean every older game was designed for 16:9. A 4:3 or handheld-era picture can use borders to preserve its intended proportions. Stretching fills more panel area but changes shapes. Integer scaling, filters, crop and aspect settings depend on installed software. Neither display size nor panel resolution changes the original rules, camera, sprites or processor requirements of the game.
If your current frustration is tiny text, investigate the X55's physical view. If it is poor frame pacing, unresponsive input or a game that will not run, seek evidence about software and hardware rather than paying for diagonal inches as a cure.
5. The left-thumb decision is different on these two shells
The inspected X55 references show its left analog stick above the D-pad. Face buttons sit above the right stick, with smaller controls below. The inspected Smart Pro references show the D-pad above the left stick, with face buttons above the right stick. Both provide controls beside a wide landscape screen, but your left thumb approaches directional input differently.
A player returning to D-pad-led platformers, puzzles or menu navigation should consider where the thumb rests for a long session. Someone who spends more time using an analog input may prefer a different arrangement. Those are reasons to try or request a current grip demonstration, not a declaration that one layout is objectively ergonomic for everyone.
Look beyond stick count. Check shoulder reach, accidental diagonals, stick centering, whether required inputs are mapped, and how the game handles analog versus digital movement. A visible second stick does not establish every emulator's mapping, a sensor type, click support or measured latency.
The selected Smart Pro URL includes Hall wording. A URL keyword is not a current sensor certificate. We do not label its sticks Hall, TMR, drift-proof or permanently precise without reliable selected-unit evidence. The same rule applies to X55: no durability or zero-lag result follows from a polished product image.
6. Carrying size: compare the whole device, not only the diagonal
The selected X55 description gives 21.25×9.45×1.9cm. Smart Pro's selected description gives 187.4×79.8×17.2mm. These are attributed body dimensions, not our measurements of current stock. They suggest a smaller Smart Pro footprint, which is relevant to a daily bag, but they do not guarantee pocket fit or comfortable use in every seat.
A useful carrying comparison includes the outer body, protruding sticks, any chosen case and accessory space. Confirm whether a bag measurement is internal or external, and allow clearance that does not press the screen or controls. A bag-labeled package is not automatically waterproof, drop-rated or superior to a separate suitable case.
For a train or café session, decide what you actually carry: handheld, charging equipment and perhaps a storage reader, rather than an imaginary complete kit. The selected main pages do not certify a carrying case or every accessory as included. The independent X55 page's “64G and bag” option is $239.99, versus “64G 20k Games” at $209.99. The $30 difference is price arithmetic, not proof of identical files plus a known protective bag.
Choose Smart Pro when its confirmed smaller format makes the everyday routine easier. Choose X55 when its confirmed larger view is worth the added carrying room. Neither recommendation requires claiming all-day endurance or universal comfort.
7. What the hardware sources tell us, and what they do not
| Topic | Main X55 source | Selected Smart Pro source | Boundary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Display | 5.5-inch IPS, landscape 1280×720 claim | 4.96-inch IPS, landscape 1280×720 claim | No current panel, brightness or response test |
| Processor / graphics | RK3566 / Mali-G52 | A133P wording, also A133plus promotion / GE8300 | No side-by-side game benchmark |
| Memory | 1GB LPDDR4X in main source | 1GB LPDDR4X in selected source | Other X55 source says 2GB; do not merge or certify batches |
| System | Linux-based retro gaming OS | Linux-based retro gaming OS, TrimuiUI source wording | Actual distribution, version and preparation require confirmation |
| Internal storage source | Current boot/storage arrangement unconfirmed | 8GB eMMC source statement | Not proof of supplied game-card inventory or free space |
| Battery capacity | 4000mAh source claim | 5000mAh source claim | No controlled runtime or battery-health comparison |
| Control layout | Left stick above D-pad in inspected references | D-pad above left stick in inspected references | Visible arrangement, not tactile or latency testing |
| TV route | HDMI advertised in source | No verified selected-unit TV route | Confirm output, cable, settings and audio separately |
Chip names can identify a source profile, but they do not settle the exact game, emulator, build, settings or acceptable experience. We have not assigned a winner by a made-up frame-rate chart or overall score. A higher-capacity package within either selected page does not list a corresponding processor upgrade.
If exact RAM, firmware or video output is essential, request evidence tied to the selected unit. An alternate X55 description's 2GB statement cannot silently replace the main offer's 1GB statement. Likewise, a different TrimUI model's specifications cannot fill gaps in Smart Pro evidence.
8. Start with your games, not a menu total
Choose three games you genuinely expect to return to. Include one directional-input task, one text-heavy scene and one save-and-resume check if those reflect your habits. These are suggested checks for legally usable content, not a promise that a commercial title or complete childhood library comes with either handheld.
For classic 2D play, inspect scrolling, input, sound and intended aspect ratio. For a PS1-era adventure, check the exact title, required files, controls, audio and a longer representative scene. If PSP, N64 or another demanding target is the main reason to buy, ask for title-specific current-unit results before making either purchase. An emulator icon and a storage package labeled PSP are not a tested library.
Neither selected offer is presented here as an all-PS2, GameCube, Switch or native modern-PC solution. We have not established those purchase targets. If one of them is essential, research a documented device and software route for that game instead of trying to solve missing evidence with a larger card.
A collection of a few understood favorites can serve a daily routine better than thousands of unexplained entries. Capacity, unique titles, working files, legal rights and satisfying gameplay are separate questions.
9. Linux software: preparation can outweigh a small price difference
Both selected model sources describe Linux-based retro gaming systems. We do not promise ArkOS, CrossMix, JELOS, ROCKNIX, Android or a particular installed version. Smart Pro's TrimuiUI source wording describes its model information, not a current first-boot inspection. The exact firmware can vary by batch and can be updated or re-flashed, so confirm the supplied build and supported instructions before making changes.
Ask how the unit starts, which storage contains system files, how games are scanned, and which save methods you will use. No Card and 0G are different package labels, not a complete explanation of boot hardware. They do not automatically mean no operating system, no internal storage or immediate readiness.
For an experienced library owner, a lower preparation tier may be sensible if a compatible firmware and storage plan are already established. For a newcomer or gift recipient, verified first-use preparation may matter more than nominal capacity. Do not assume paying more automatically buys better instructions, authentic cards, reviewed content or a specific software build.
Before changing firmware or formatting media, identify the exact hardware and follow appropriate backup and recovery instructions. A card image for another model is not safe to assume compatible. Preserving an original setup and identifying save locations are more useful ownership steps than an unsupported “zero setup” promise.
10. Battery and charging: do not award a winner from mAh
The selected X55 source lists 4000mAh, while selected Smart Pro lists 5000mAh. Capacity is one source specification, not a controlled endurance result. The descriptions also contain inconsistent runtime wording. We do not turn those figures into guaranteed four-, five- or six-hour sessions, a percentage advantage or a full-flight promise.
The game, processor workload, brightness, sound, wireless activity, software behavior and battery condition can affect duration. For a travel decision, ask for a representative session under stated conditions and test your normal use before relying on it. A bigger panel and a bigger battery do not reveal the final balance without evidence.
USB-C naming does not certify every charger, video output or modern fast-charge protocol. Use the actual device instructions and compatible equipment. Confirm whether a cable or power adapter is supplied, rather than importing another product page's box contents. Saving and proper shutdown remain important even if a menu offers sleep or a low-battery reminder.
11. TV and wireless use need their own proof
X55 source material advertises HDMI and includes a promotional TV-output composition. That is stronger evidence of an advertised model feature than a generic USB-C label, but it is not a successful test of your television, cable, output mode, audio or controller. If TV use is decisive, ask for a currently supplied unit demonstrating the actual route.
Selected Smart Pro's TV capability is not confirmed here. We do not convert that uncertainty into a certified absence, and we do not infer USB-C video because a USB-C connection exists. Use a documented current-unit demonstration if an external screen is central to your plan.
Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, netplay, wireless audio and host-PC controller use are different functions. A network connection does not establish all of them. A controller or four-player slogan does not certify every pad, emulator or game mode. Confirm the software, peripheral, game and mapping for the desired workflow, with any required accessories itemized separately.
If you mostly want personal handheld sessions, choose on the physical screen, controls and verified games first. Do not pay for a hypothetical television evening unless that evening has a demonstrated setup.
12. Three routines that make the choice clearer
A dialogue-heavy evening at home
You sit at a familiar desk and want to read a story without moving closer to a tiny screen. X55's source-described larger view is a relevant reason to investigate it. Check your game's real aspect ratio, a dialogue scene, how your thumbs rest and the exact offer's preparation. The screen is a reason to choose, not a claim that the processor runs the story faster.
A regular short commute
You want a dedicated handheld that takes less room in a bag and a collection you can navigate quickly. Smart Pro's smaller source-described body and selected 64G price can make it the more natural starting point. Confirm actual fit, offline operation, charging and saving. A short commute does not justify a universal sleep/resume or runtime claim.
A present for someone with specific favorites
Ask which games and control style the recipient likes. Choose a verified finish and package with understandable first-use steps. The main X55 offers Green alongside White, Black and Blue; selected Smart Pro offers Black, White and Grey. Color is a personal preference, not a performance tier or an assumption about age or gender. More capacity is not automatically a better gift, and no delivery date follows from a supplier slogan.
13. Who should choose each, and who should pause
Start with selected Smart Pro when…
You prefer its smaller source-described format, like the D-pad-above-stick arrangement and want the selected $199.99 64G starting point. Your favorite games and shipped preparation can be checked without depending on a sensor claim, specific community firmware or unverified external-display route. It is our conditional value-first route, not a universal best handheld.
Start with X55 when…
You deliberately want its larger source-described screen and left-stick-above-D-pad layout, and have room for the larger body. You can select between the four-color main offer and independent storage/bag packages based on real contents. You are not treating an $80 difference on one page as a mandatory cost of the model, or a $10 difference on another as proof of equal preparation.
Pause before either when…
You need guaranteed performance in an untested demanding game, a verified exact RAM configuration without selected-unit evidence, a certified battery result, particular included titles or confirmed multiplayer and TV functions. Resolve the essential requirement first. Buying a bigger card is not a substitute for it.
14. A seven-step purchase check
- Write down three legally usable games and the input, reading and save tasks they require.
- Choose the physical format: compare the larger X55 view with Smart Pro's smaller source-described body and their different left-thumb layouts.
- Open the exact product page and record the complete color and storage/package label, not just the model name.
- Confirm current hardware identity, installed firmware, boot media, game-storage roles and actual supplied accessories.
- Request representative gameplay evidence for an essential title and a save/reload demonstration; check any required TV or peripheral workflow separately.
- Review usable storage, carrying fit, compatible charging equipment and first-use preparation. Do not rely on an unaudited game count.
- Check current price, availability, destination total and applicable store terms, then choose the package whose contents you can explain.
This is a recommended buyer process, not a claim that every stocked unit has completed a seven-stage laboratory test. The goal is a clear decision with fewer unpleasant surprises.
15. Common comparison mistakes to avoid
First, do not compare one no-card price with another 64G price and call it a hardware premium. Second, do not assume matching capacity means matching card brand, software, accessories or licensed content. Third, do not turn higher mAh, a larger diagonal or a chip label into an unmeasured performance score.
Fourth, do not borrow the cheaper alternate Smart Pro page's price while silently treating its unresolved model identity as settled. Fifth, do not adopt the independent X55 $189.99 PSP-labelled selection as a bargain before confirming actual packing. Sixth, do not mistake creative screen art for a working commercial title or a frame-rate test.
Finally, do not let a specification question bury the reason you wanted a handheld. A known game, comfortable-enough personal layout and understandable setup are the outcome. The best comparison helps you choose that routine, not win an argument about the largest number.
16. X55 versus Smart Pro: buyer FAQ
Which is the better starting choice for a budget-conscious landscape routine?
Selected Smart Pro 64G at $199.99 is our conditional starting recommendation if its smaller source-described body, control layout and verified preparation fit you. Independent X55 packages can change the price comparison; neither model is a universal winner.
Is X55 always $80 more expensive?
No. Main X55 64G is $279.99 versus selected Smart Pro 64G at $199.99, an $80 difference on those pages. Independent X55 64G 20k Games is $209.99, a $10 difference from selected Smart Pro. Package equivalence is not established.
Which has the larger screen?
The X55 listing describes 5.5-inch IPS and selected Smart Pro describes 4.96-inch IPS. These are source specifications, not our panel measurements or proof of a brighter or faster screen.
Does the larger screen improve game performance?
A larger physical view does not establish better processing or frame rates. Evaluate the actual game, firmware, emulator and settings separately from display size.
What is different about the left-side controls?
Inspected X55 references place the left stick above the D-pad. Inspected Smart Pro references place the D-pad above the left stick. This visible arrangement does not prove universal comfort or measured input latency.
Does Smart Pro have certified Hall or drift-proof sticks?
No current selected-unit sensor or durability evidence establishes that here. Hall wording in the product URL is not a sensor certificate or a guarantee against drift.
Does X55 have 1GB or 2GB RAM?
Main X55 source information states 1GB LPDDR4X; another Black/Blue X55 offer's original information states 2GB. Do not merge them or infer a certified upgrade. Confirm the exact supplied unit if RAM is decisive.
Do these offers ship with the same Linux firmware?
No identical installed build is established. Both selected sources describe Linux-based systems, but firmware can vary by batch and can be updated or re-flashed. Confirm the supplied distribution, version and instructions.
Is CrossMix, ArkOS or Android guaranteed?
No particular installed distribution or Android route is guaranteed by this comparison. Do not import another device's firmware name or app workflow into either selected offer.
Does 64G guarantee a specific game library or physical card?
No. Confirm actual storage media, usable space, files, rights and boot roles. A capacity label and game-count wording are not an audited unique, working or licensed library.
Is there a 128G Smart Pro selection on the chosen page?
The selected page offers 0G, 64G and 256G across Black, White and Grey. It has no 128G tier in the reviewed complete set. Other Smart Pro pages are independent offers.
Does 0G or No Card mean the handheld cannot boot?
The label alone does not establish that. Confirm installed software, boot hardware and what the buyer must prepare before choosing a no-card or 0G package.
Which lasts longer on battery?
No controlled comparative runtime result is established. X55's 4000mAh and Smart Pro's 5000mAh are source claims; real duration depends on workload, settings, software and battery condition.
Can either be chosen for guaranteed PSP or N64 performance?
This guide does not establish universal PSP or N64 performance. Ask for exact-title current-unit evidence. A platform icon, PSP package name or larger card is not a tested game matrix.
Can I rely on TV output?
X55 sources advertise HDMI, but your port, cable, display, software and audio route require confirmation. Smart Pro TV capability is unconfirmed here, not certified absent. USB-C alone does not establish video output.
Does the independent X55 bag tier add a known protective case?
A bag label does not establish actual construction, internal clearance, drop protection or equal game preparation to a non-bag tier. Confirm the selected package and bag separately.
Why not automatically recommend the $179.99 alternate Smart Pro page?
Its reviewed description retains an older Smart versus Smart Pro identity conflict. Confirm the physical model and current preparation before treating it as an equivalent cheaper alternative.
Are the illustrated games included or performance-tested?
No. The two body figures are creative device-and-screen illustrations, not authentic gameplay captures, supplied titles or benchmark evidence. Confirm content and game behavior separately.
Which is better as a gift?
Choose the recipient's preferred format, controls, finish and verified games, then confirm first-use preparation and delivery. More storage or a larger screen does not automatically make a better gift.
What should I check first?
Identify your essential games and physical layout preference, then the exact offer, firmware, contents and current total. Buy the package whose role you understand rather than an assumed model-wide premium.
17. Evidence and editorial boundaries
This comparison uses the selected main X55 and Smart Pro product descriptions, their complete sixteen- and nine-variant sets, reviewed independent X55 and Smart Pro offers, and inspected exact-product reference media. Prices and option names are store-record facts. Hardware and battery figures remain listing-source claims. Visible layout is not a tactile test. No controlled side-by-side gameplay, charging, endurance or durability results are presented.
The two newly created body images use exact-device references but remain creative illustrations. They do not certify perfect physical fidelity or authentic gameplay. The article cover depicts R36S, not X55 or Smart Pro. Older articles' ratings, test percentages, former prices and conflicting specifications are not reused as evidence.
The reviewed independent offers change the value question; they do not establish the cheapest price across every offer, equal packing, stock-unit RAM or lawful included content. Product pages and current checkout should be checked again when ordering.
18. Final verdict: choose the routine, then verify the offer
Smart Pro is the conditional value-first choice when its smaller source-described body, D-pad-high layout and selected $199.99 64G offer fit your needs. X55 is the conditional larger-view choice when its 5.5-inch positioning and left-stick-high layout solve a real playing problem. Its exact package matters: main 64G is $279.99, while an independent 64G-labelled offer is $209.99.
Do not buy a model-wide premium that the records do not establish. Compare actual preparation, required games and supplied contents. The right purchase is a handheld you want to use and a package you understand after opening the box.
Review selected Smart Pro choices
Review the main four-color X55 offer
Compare the independent X55 storage and bag offer
These links open independent product choices. This guide does not select a variant, add an item to a cart or guarantee availability, performance or destination delivery.
