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Panic Playdate

PanicHandheld console

Playdate

Released April 2022.6Spec databaseen.wikipedia.org/wiki/Playdate_(console)Read 10 October 2026Released April 19, 2022. Last checked 10 October 2026.

Chip
STM32F746
Screen size
2.7in
Refresh rate
50Hz
Weight
86g

56 of 165 fields known.

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At a glance

Ports

  • USB-C
  • 3.5 mm audio

All specs

SourceCalculated

General

Series
Not available
Model numbers
PDU-015Owner's manualhelp.play.date/hardware/manual/Playdate%20Manual%207-08-22.pdfRead 10 October 2026Regulatory page: Model PDU-01.
GTIN / EAN
Not available
Announced
May 20196Spec databaseen.wikipedia.org/wiki/Playdate_(console)Read 10 October 2026Announced in May 2019.
Status
Available1Maker product pageplay.dateRead 10 October 2026Maker sells the console with a Shop Now link and a current price of $229.
Predecessor
Not available
Successor
Not available
Launch price (US)
$1796Spec databaseen.wikipedia.org/wiki/Playdate_(console)Read 10 October 2026Introductory price US$179. The maker price is now $229, which is a later price and is not stored. Retro Dodo also quotes $179. USD list price without sales tax.
Launch price (EU)
Not available
Markets
Not available
Colours
Yellow1Maker product pageplay.dateRead 10 October 2026Maker calls Playdate the little yellow game system.
Device class
Dedicated console1Maker product pageplay.dateRead 10 October 2026Dedicated game system with its own games and Catalog.
Form factor
Vertical8Reviewretrohandhelds.gg/playdate-review-the-cheese-wedge-with-a-crankRead 10 October 2026Review calls it a tiny vertical console.

Platform and software

OS family
Other4Maker product pagesdk.play.date/inside-playdateRead 10 October 2026SDK documents Playdate OS and its own game runtime. It is a maker OS and fits no other OS option.
OS at launch
Not available
Latest OS
Playdate OS 3.1.210Maker product pagesdk.play.date/changelogRead 10 October 2026Maker SDK changelog lists 3.1.2 dated September 16, 2026 as the newest release. Panic ships the OS and the SDK under one version number. Read 2026-10-10.
Built-in game stores
Playdate Catalog8Reviewretrohandhelds.gg/playdate-review-the-cheese-wedge-with-a-crankRead 10 October 2026Review describes Catalog as a shop built into the Playdate.
Physical games
None4Maker product pagesdk.play.date/inside-playdateRead 10 October 2026Maker says Playdate needs Wi-Fi for setup and game downloads, and games can also be sideloaded. No cartridge or disc exists.
Backward compatibility
Not available
Upscaling and frame generation
Not available

Processor and graphics

Chip
STM32F7466Spec databaseen.wikipedia.org/wiki/Playdate_(console)Read 10 October 2026Playdate runs an STM32F746 with an Arm Cortex-M7F at 168 MHz.
Chip brand
Other6Spec databaseen.wikipedia.org/wiki/Playdate_(console)Read 10 October 2026STM32 is a STMicroelectronics chip. The chip brand enum has no STMicroelectronics option, so other is used.
Core configuration
Physical core countCoreMax clock (GHz)
1Cortex-M70.168
Source1Maker product pageplay.dateRead 10 October 2026Maker lists a 168 MHz Cortex M7. Stored as 0.168 GHz.
CPU cores
1
Max CPU clock
0.168GHz
Process
Not available
GPU
Not available
GPU architecture
Not available
GPU compute units
Not available
GPU max clock
Not available
GPU compute (claimed)
Not available
Power modes
Not available
Lowest TDP
Not available
Highest TDP
Not available
Highest TDP on battery
Not available
Custom TDP
Not available

Memory and storage

RAM
Not available
RAM type
SRAM9Reviewifixit.com/Teardown/Playdate+Teardown/143811Read 10 October 2026Teardown step 9: 128 Mb of Winbond W967D6HBG low-power SRAM (16 MB).
RAM speed
Not available
Memory bandwidth
Not available
Storage
4GB1Maker product pageplay.dateRead 10 October 2026Maker lists 4 GB flash and 16 MB RAM. RAM is below 1 GB, so the RAM field is left out.
Storage type
eMMC6Spec databaseen.wikipedia.org/wiki/Playdate_(console)Read 10 October 2026Wikipedia lists 4 GB eMMC. The maker only says flash.
Installed drive PCIe generation
Not available
Storage slots
Not available
M.2 slots
Not available
Memory card
None3Maker product pagehelp.play.date/hardware/supported-inputsRead 10 October 2026The maker ports article lists only the audio jack and the USB-C port. No card slot is named anywhere in the maker specifications.
Card speed class
Not available
Max card size
Not available

Display

Screen size
2.7in(6.9 cm)6Spec databaseen.wikipedia.org/wiki/Playdate_(console)Read 10 October 2026Wikipedia lists a 2.7 inch 400x240 1-bit display.
Native resolution
400 × 240px1Maker product pageplay.dateRead 10 October 2026Maker lists 400 x 240 1-bit.
Pixel density
172.8ppi
Aspect ratio
Not available
Panel type
Other7Reviewretrododo.com/playdate-reviewRead 10 October 2026Review describes a 2.7 inch, non-backlit, 1-bit super reflective screen. Wikipedia says it is a Sharp Memory LCD. The enum has no Memory LCD option, so other is used.
Native panel orientation
Not available
Screen surface
Not available
Touchscreen
No7Reviewretrododo.com/playdate-reviewRead 10 October 2026The maker input list has the D-pad, A and B, Sleep and Menu, the accelerometer and the crank. It lists no touch input.
Built-in display refresh modes
Width (px)Height (px)Max (Hz)
40024050
Source4Maker product pagesdk.play.date/inside-playdateRead 10 October 2026SDK lists a monochrome 1-bit memory LCD at 400 x 240, refreshed at 30 fps by default and 50 fps at most.
Max refresh rate
50Hz
Adaptive sync
Not available
VRR lower limit
Not available
Brightness (SDR, claimed)
Not available
Peak brightness (HDR, claimed)
Not available
DCI-P3 coverage (claimed)
Not available
HDR formats
Not available
Second display
Not available

Controls

Stick sensor
Not available
Stick layout
Not available
Touch-sensitive sticks
Not available
Replaceable stick modules
Not available
Trigger sensor
Not available
Trigger stops
Not available
D-pad
Cross4Maker product pagesdk.play.date/inside-playdateRead 10 October 2026SDK lists an eight-way directional control (D-pad). The maker product images show a cross-shaped D-pad.
Face button labels
Not available
Extra rear and grip buttons
Not available
Trackpads
Not available
System-level remapping
Not available
System buttons
Menu, Lock1Maker product pageplay.dateRead 10 October 2026Maker lists Sleep and Menu. The SDK names them the Lock button and the Menu button. The D-pad and A and B buttons are excluded.
Detached controller connection
Not available
Controller mouse sensor
Not available
Fingerprint
Not available

Motion and feedback

Gyroscope
No9Reviewifixit.com/Teardown/Playdate+Teardown/143811Read 10 October 2026The teardown component list names only an STMicroelectronics LIS3DH 3-axis accelerometer and no gyroscope. The maker lists a 3-axis accelerometer.
Rumble
Not available
RGB lighting
Not available

Measured

We could not find any of these 30 fields. Show them
Brightness (measured)
Not available
HDR peak brightness (measured)
Not available
Contrast ratio (measured)
Not available
DCI-P3 coverage (measured)
Not available
Colour accuracy (measured Delta E)
Not available
PWM frequency (measured)
Not available
3DMark Time Spy graphics (measured)
Not available
3DMark Steel Nomad Light (measured)
Not available
3DMark Wild Life Extreme (measured)
Not available
Cinebench 2024 single-core (measured)
Not available
Cinebench 2024 multi-core (measured)
Not available
AnTuTu (measured)
Not available
Game frame rates (measured)
Not available
SSD sequential read (measured)
Not available
Memory card read (measured)
Not available
Battery runtime per test (measured)
Not available
Shortest gaming test runtime (measured)
Not available
Longest gaming test runtime (measured)
Not available
Video runtime (measured)
Not available
Full charge time (measured)
Not available
Power draw gaming (measured)
Not available
Fan noise per mode (measured)
Not available
Max fan noise (measured)
Not available
Fan noise while gaming (measured)
Not available
Back surface under load (measured)
Not available
Grips under load (measured)
Not available
Chip temperature while gaming (measured)
Not available
Stick tests (measured)
Not available
Speaker loudness (measured)
Not available
Weight (measured)
Not available

Audio

Speakers
11Maker product pageplay.dateRead 10 October 2026Maker lists a built-in mono speaker.
Speaker direction
Front-facing8Reviewretrohandhelds.gg/playdate-review-the-cheese-wedge-with-a-crankRead 10 October 2026The maker product images show the speaker slot on the front face, right of the screen.
Audio features
Condenser microphone, TRRS headset microphone input1Maker product pageplay.dateRead 10 October 2026Maker lists a condenser mic and a TRRS mic input.
Microphones
11Maker product pageplay.dateRead 10 October 2026Maker lists a condenser mic and a TRRS mic input. One built-in microphone.
3.5 mm jack
Yes1Maker product pageplay.dateRead 10 October 2026

Ports and dock

Ports
TypeCountSide
USB-C1Bottom
3.5 mm audio1Bottom
Source3Maker product pagehelp.play.date/hardware/supported-inputsRead 10 October 2026Maker help says the bottom has a condenser microphone, a 3.5 mm audio jack in the centre and a USB Type-C port on the right. The USB version is not stated.
USB-C ports
1
USB4 or Thunderbolt
Not available
USB-C charging
Not available
Video out
Not available
Max external display
Not available
External GPU
Not available
Dock
Not available
Max output through dock
Not available
Dock ports
Not available

Wireless

Wi-Fi
Not available
Wi-Fi bands
2.4 GHz1Maker product pageplay.dateRead 10 October 2026Maker lists 802.11bgn 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi. The Wi-Fi standard field has no Wi-Fi 4 option, so it is left out.
Bluetooth
4.26Spec databaseen.wikipedia.org/wiki/Playdate_(console)Read 10 October 2026Infobox connectivity lists Bluetooth 4.2.9Reviewifixit.com/Teardown/Playdate+Teardown/143811Read 10 October 2026Teardown step 1 lists Bluetooth 4.2 and step 9 names an Espressif ESP32-D0WDQ6 Wi-Fi and Bluetooth SoC. The maker help page says Playdate does not currently support Bluetooth audio, so this is the hardware version and not a working feature.
NFC
Not available
Cellular
Not available
Network
Not available

Battery and charging

Battery energy
2.74Wh9Reviewifixit.com/Teardown/Playdate+Teardown/143811Read 10 October 2026Teardown step 7: 2.74 Wh (740 mAh @ 3.7V).
Battery capacity
740mAh9Reviewifixit.com/Teardown/Playdate+Teardown/143811Read 10 October 2026Teardown step 7: battery clocks in at 2.74 Wh (740 mAh @ 3.7V). This replaces the 650 mAh figure from a review, which does not fit the 2.74 Wh pack.
Claimed battery life
UseHours (h)
Gaming8
Idle336
Source1Maker product pageplay.dateRead 10 October 2026Maker lists 8 hours active and 14 days standby clock. Stored as 8 h gaming and 336 h idle (14 days). The standby clock keeps the always-on screen running.
Battery life (claimed, min)
Not available
Battery life (claimed, max)
336h
Wired charging
Not available
Charging standards
Not available
Charge 0 to 100 % (claimed)
Not available
Charge limit
Not available
Bypass charging
Not available
Charger in box
No5Owner's manualhelp.play.date/hardware/manual/Playdate%20Manual%207-08-22.pdfRead 10 October 2026Manual says an AC adapter for charging is not included. Panic recommends an adapter rated no higher than 5V / 2A.
Included charger
Not available

Cooling

Fans
09Reviewifixit.com/Teardown/Playdate+Teardown/143811Read 10 October 2026The teardown X-ray and full disassembly show a battery, speaker, crank and boards and no fan.
Vapor chamber
Not available
Custom fan curve
Not available

Build

Built-in kickstand
Not available
Dust and water rating
Not available
User-replaceable parts
Battery, Headphone jack9Reviewifixit.com/Teardown/Playdate+Teardown/143811Read 10 October 2026Final thoughts: the battery is immediately accessible and lightly adhered, and the headphone jack is completely modular. The maker does not sell parts and a warranty sticker covers the battery.

Dimensions and weight

Dimensions
Depth9mm1Maker product pageplay.dateRead 10 October 2026Maker lists size 76 x 74 x 9 mm without naming the axes. Only the 9 mm thickness is stored, because the last value is the thickness in every order. Early 2019 coverage wrote 74 x 76 x 9 mm, so the order of the first two values is not safe to read as width and height.2Maker product pagehelp.play.date/hardware/the-specsRead 10 October 2026Maker help specs list Size 76 x 74 x 9 mm without axes. Only the 9 mm thickness is stored.6Spec databaseen.wikipedia.org/wiki/Playdate_(console)Read 10 October 2026Infobox lists 76x74x9 mm without axes, the same as the maker.
Weight
86g(3 oz)6Spec databaseen.wikipedia.org/wiki/Playdate_(console)Read 10 October 2026Infobox lists 86 g (3 oz). The community Playdate wiki lists 86 grams too. Reviewers weighed single units at 84 g and 85 g. The maker publishes no weight.
Weight without controllers
Not available

Certifications

Game compatibility programme
Not available
FCC ID
2AR29-PDU015Owner's manualhelp.play.date/hardware/manual/Playdate%20Manual%207-08-22.pdfRead 10 October 2026Regulatory page: FCC ID 2AR29-PDU01 and IC 260061-PDU01.
Other certifications
FCC, IC, CE, UKCA, Japan R 018-2001405Owner's manualhelp.play.date/hardware/manual/Playdate%20Manual%207-08-22.pdfRead 10 October 2026Regulatory page shows the FC, UKCA, CE and Japan R 018-200140 marks.

In the box

In the box
Playdate, USB-C to A Cable, User Guide1Maker product pageplay.dateRead 10 October 2026Maker lists Playdate, USB-C to A Cable and User Guide.
Carrying case
None1Maker product pageplay.dateRead 10 October 2026No case is listed in the box.

Warranty

Manufacturer warranty (source market)
1year11Maker product pagehelp.play.date/service/warrantyRead 10 October 2026Maker warranty page: twelve months from shipment to the original purchaser. EU, New Zealand and Australia buyers keep their statutory rights.

Compare with

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Sources

We read 11 sources for this handheld console. The numbers match the markers in the sheet.

  1. Maker product pageplay.date
    Read 10 October 2026Backs 17 fields
  2. Read 10 October 2026Backs 2 fields
  3. Read 10 October 2026Backs 2 fields
  4. Read 10 October 2026Backs 4 fields
  5. Read 10 October 2026Backs 5 fields
  6. Read 10 October 2026Backs 10 fields
  7. Read 10 October 2026Backs 2 fields
  8. Read 10 October 2026Backs 3 fields
  9. Read 10 October 2026Backs 7 fields
  10. Maker product pagesdk.play.date/changelog
    Read 10 October 2026Backs 1 field
  11. Read 10 October 2026Backs 1 field

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