GameMT is doubling down on retro-styled handhelds, and its newest release, the GameMT EX5, wears its inspiration loud and clear. With curves, buttons, and a screen layout heavily reminiscent of the PS Vita, this 5-inch device isn’t shy about who it’s trying to impress. But this isn’t just nostalgia bait, it’s packing a surprisingly sharp 1080p display and a solid budget-tier chip to back it up.
GameMT EX5 aims to balance form and function
Under the hood, the EX5 runs on a MediaTek Helio G85 a mobile processor more commonly found in phones like the Redmi 15C and Poco C85. It pairs two Cortex-A75 cores with six Cortex-A55 cores, alongside a Mali-G52 GPU. It’s not cutting-edge, but it’s fast enough for light Android gaming and retro emulation, as long as expectations are kept realistic.
GameMT has bundled it with 4GB of RAM and 64GB of internal storage. For users needing more, there’s a microSD slot. In short, it’s basic but not bare bones.
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1080p display is sharp, but may be a mixed blessing
One standout feature is the 5-inch IPS panel with a full HD resolution of 1920 x 1080. That’s unusually sharp for a handheld in this price range, especially one running on a Helio G85. The upside? Games and menus will look crisp. The downside? That high resolution could tax the modest chipset during more demanding emulation sessions.
Still, for indie games, light 3D titles, or PS1 and below, it should run smoothly. GameMT clearly wanted visuals to be a selling point and in the budget space, this display might just deliver that.
Unique design choices show GameMT experimenting
Unlike most modern handhelds, the EX5 replaces the right joystick with a toggle-style button. While unusual, this seems to be a performance mode switch rather than a control input. Combined with the PS Vita-style shape and face buttons, it’s clear the company is leaning heavily into legacy handheld aesthetics, while still trying to carve out its own design language.
Here’s what’s packed into the GameMT EX5:
- 5-inch 1080p IPS display
- MediaTek Helio G85 processor
- Mali-G52 GPU
- 4GB RAM / 64GB storage
- microSD expansion
- Android OS
- No right joystick performance toggle instead
A budget handheld with throwback style
There’s no confirmed release date yet, but the EX5 already looks like one of GameMT’s more focused handhelds. It trades raw power for visual polish and retro charm, and in doing so, might appeal to players looking for a low-cost emulation machine that doesn’t feel like a toy.
It won’t compete with premium portables, but for fans of the PS Vita’s form factor and 1080p on a shoestring, it might hit just the right note.
