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The GPD XP is an Android-powered handheld gaming device featuring a 6.8 inch touchscreen display surrounded by came controllers – but the controller on the right side is modular, allowing you to swap out controls depending on the type of game you’re playing.
When GPD first launched the XP handheld last year, it was powered by a MediaTek Helio G95 processor. But earlier this year the company launched a crowdfunding campaign for the GPD XP Plus, featuring a faster processor, speedier storage, and improved WiFi speeds. Now the company is shipping the first units to backers of that campaign.
First announced in March, the GPD XP Plus features the same physical design as its predecessor, but it’s powered by a MediaTek Dimensity 1200 processor, which should give the new model a boost in CPU and graphics performance.
Storage has also been upgraded from UFS 2.1 to UFS 3.1 for faster data transfer speeds. And wireless capabilities have been bumped up from WiFi 5 to WiFi 6.
Other improvements include support for 30W fast charging and LPDDR-4266 memory. The new model also has a USB Type-C port that supports video out at up to 4K resolutions at 60 Hz or 1080p at up to 168 Hz if you want to hook the handheld up to an external display.
While the crowdfunding campaign officially closed in late July, you can still purchase a GPD XP Plus through Indiegogo InDemand, with prices starting at $339 for a model with 6GB of RAM and 128GB of storage. There’s also a 6GB/256GB model that sells for $374.
While those prices are rather high by Android handheld standards, they still represent a discount off the retail price: a GPD XP Plus with 256GB of storage would set you back $445 if you picked one up from AliExpress. Still, at a time when some full-fledged handheld gaming PCs with x86 chips are selling for less than that, the price does seem a little steep.
Here’s an overview of specs for the GPD XP Plus and the original GPD XP, with differences highlighted in bold:
GPD XP Plus | GPD XP | |
Display | 6.81 inches 2400 x 1080 pixels 388 ppi 60 Hz 84% NTSC color gamut IPS LCD 500 nits 10-point multitouch Corning Gorilla Glass 5 | 6.81 inches 2400 x 1080 pixels 388 ppi 60 Hz 84% NTSC color gamut IPS LCD 500 nits 10-point multitouch Corning Gorilla Glass 5 |
Processor | MediaTek Dimensity 1200 1 x ARM Cortex-A78 CPU cores @ 3 GHz 3 x ARM Cortex-A78 CPU cores @ 2.6 GHz 4 x ARM Cortex-A55 CPU cores @ 2 GHz ARM Mali-G77 MC9 GPU | MediaTek Helio G95 2 x ARM Cortex-A76 CPU cores @ 2.05 GHz 6 x ARM Cortex-A55 CPU cores @ 2 GHz ARM Mali-G76 MC4 GPU @ 900 MHz |
RAM | 6GB LPDDR4x-4266 | 6GB LPDDR4x |
Storage | 128GB / 256GB UFS 3.1 microSD card slot (up to 2TB) | 128GB UFS 2.1 microSD card slot (up to 2TB) |
Battery & Charging | 7,000 mAh 30W USB-C support (30W included) | 7,000 mAh 20W USB-C |
Connectivity | WiFi 6 Bluetooth 5.2 (dual-SIM) 2G: GSM B3/8 3G: WCDMA B1 4G: TDD-LTE B34/38/39/40/41 4G: FDD-LTE B/1/2/3/5/7/8/12/17/20/26/28 GPD, A-GPS, GLONASS | WiFi 5 Bluetooth 5.0 (dual-SIM) 2G: GSM B3/8 3G: WCDMA B1 4G: TDD-LTE B34/38/39/40/41 4G: FDD-LTE B/1/2/3/5/7/8/12/17/20/26/28 GPD, A-GPS, GLONASS |
Sensors | Gravity Gyroscope Compass | Gravity Gyroscope Compass |
Ports | USB Type-C (DisplayPort 1.2 4K/60Hz, 2K/120Hz, 1080p/168 Hz support) 1 x 3.5mm audio 1 x microSD card reader (up to 2TB) 1 x SIM card slot | 1 x USB-C 1 x 3.5mm audio 1 x microSD card reader (up to 2TB) 1 x SIM card slot |
Audio | Stereo speakers | Stereo speakers |
Left Controller | Analog stick D-Pad Back, Home, Return buttons 2 x Shoulder buttons | Analog stick D-Pad Back, Home, Return buttons 2 x Shoulder buttons |
Right Controller | 3 Controller module options:
| 3 Controller module options:
|
Camera | 5MP front-facing | 5MP front-facing |
Cooling | Active fan | Active fan |
Dimensions | 233 x 83 x 18 (Xbox controller) 216 x 83 x 18 (FPS controller) 205 x 83 x 18mm (MOBA controller) | 233 x 83 x 18 (Xbox controller) 216 x 83 x 18 (FPS controller) 205 x 83 x 18mm (MOBA controller) |
Weight | 370 grams (Xbox controller) 350 grams (FPS controller 330 grams (MOBA controller) | 370 grams (Xbox controller) 350 grams (FPS controller 330 grams (MOBA controller) |
OS | Android 11 GPD Metro UI | Android 11 GPD Metro UI |
Price | 6GB/128GB for $339 (during crowdfunding) 6GB/256GB for $374 (during crowdfunding) | Around $341 |
This article was originally published March 26, 2022 and most recently updated August 10, 2022.
I wonder whether keyboard attachment will get released?
Looks like their IGG was a flop with < 300 backers.
I don’t get it. You get to choose between a normal right-side gamepad, or a useless vertical column of 5 buttons?
It must be intended for Smartphone games, to allow people to create touch-macros?
I’ve often thought it would be cool to have configurable gamepad layouts, but this one I don’t understand.
Both of the variants are looking cool to me! And, I like the fact that this gaming console comes at a good price. I also appreciate that the brand that they have used a solid Mediatek Dimensity 1200 processor.
Can the Mediatek processor support all types of extensive games with ease?
Modular controller, but no 6-button option?
This is one to keep an eye on. Dimensity 1200 has performance similar to Ryzen 3350U. If it comes in under $400USD it’ll be a good value-focused alternative to the SteamDeck, and probably have better battery life.
except mediatek (Mali gpu) arent good for highend emulation, anything with opengl it will struggle. Ayn odin is much better for around $200.