How to swap PowKiddy X18S analog sticks (for PS Vita 2000 sticks) (Patreon)

Why would I want to do this?

Long story short: You probably don't.

The Powkiddy X18S stock firmware suffers from a analog stick double-trigger / backlash issue that manifests in things like opposite-direction movement or menu skips by causing multiple same-direction events in quick succession.

This issue is caused by a bad kernel driver, and no matter how often you swap the analog sticks, this won't make the issue go away.

My upcoming LineageOS 18.1 ROM contains a (default-enabled) option in Settings -> System -> Buttons -> Extras that filters these erroneous movements, so, even if swapping the sticks were to fix this issue (which it doesn't), there still would be no reason to.

But what if you just don't like the feel of the stock analog sticks?

Well that's a completely different topic. I can understand why people might dislike the wobbly stock analog sticks, especially if they are used to something more firm like the PS Vita or Nintendo Switch analog sticks.

Whatever your reason might be, this is the tutorial for you.

What do I need?

• 1x PowKiddy X18S (big surprise, I know)
• 2x PS Vita 2000 analog sticks (PS Vita 1000 analog sticks are NOT compatible)
• 1x Plastic prying tool of choice (do NOT use metal prying tools)
• 1x 1.5mm Phillips head screw driver
• 1x Bent electronic gripping pliers (optional, but VERY much suggested, it helps a lot with the battery plug)
• 1x Precision cutting pliers (optional, but VERY much suggested, anything that allows us to trim the left analog stick screw post will work though)

The actual process

We start by removing the 6x 1.5mm Phillips screws that hold the backplate!

One of them is hiding behind the PowKiddy product sticker!

That's okay though, we're used to voiding warranties!

Next on the list is getting the back plate unclipped, for this we use our plastic prying tool and carefully work our way along the edges of the device.

Once all the clips holding the backplate in place have been undone, carefully pry open the right-hand side of the device (as seen from the bottom of the backplate).

You should be able to see the battery connector.

Now its time to use your bent electronic gripping pliers to carefully unplug the battery connector.

Next, lay the device flat on your working area and gently flip the backplate upwards as shown in the picture below.

Now its time to remove the old analog sticks. Disengage the 2 FPC ribbon cable locks by lifting the black handle with your plastic prying tool before pulling the FPC ribbon cable out of the lock.

Furthermore, remove the 4 screws holding the analog sticks in place and carefully lift the analog sticks out of the chassis. Pay attention to the screw on the top right that sits under the LCD ribbon cable. Thankfully, the LCD ribbon cable is extremely sturdy and can be (gently) moved towards the left without disengaging its FPC ribbon cable lock (which is inconveniently placed under the vibration motor).

See the following picture for reference.

Once both analog sticks have been removed, you should be left with something looking like this. Notice how we didn't have to undo the LCD ribbon cable, saving us a good chunk of time removing the vibration motor (which is quite a pain to remove).

Now its time to put your first PS Vita 2000 analog stick in, we start on the right side (under the LCD ribbon cable). Slide the new analog stick under the LCD ribbon cable, make sure the screw holes line up with their assigned posts and screw the stick into place with the screws you previously removed from the old one.

Be extra careful with the LCD ribbon cable, and, just like before, gently pull it to the left before tightening the screw underneath it.

Finally, slide the FPC ribbon cable of the analog stick into its FPC ribbon cable lock and secure it by pushing down the black handle.

If everything worked out it should look like this.

Now onto the left side.

Take a look at the following picture and pay attention to the screw posts.

Do you see it? The left post is way higher than the right one.

This needs fixing as it will cause a top-right deadzone on the PS Vita 2000 analog sticks due to their slightly different dimensions.

So get your precision cutting pliers out and clip off the top portion of the longer (left) post to get it down to the same height as the shorter (right) one.

Now its time to drop the new PS Vita 2000 analog stick in, screw it into place and, just like we did on the right-hand side, lock its FPC ribbon cable into the FPC ribbon cable lock.

If you did everything correctly, it should now look like this.

Now its time to do the first few steps in reverse.

Flip the top half over so that it loosely sits on the bottom one and use your bent electronic gripping pliers one last time to guide the battery connector back into its plug by reaching into the gap on the right-hand side of the device.

Finally, press the case shut again and screw the 6x 1.5mm Phillips head screws back into the bottom of the case.

Congratulations!

You're now rocking PS Vita 2000 analog sticks on your PowKiddy X18S!

Finally, a word of advice

As I've said before in the introduction of this post: This swap is entirely optional.

As with every physical modification, there's always a certain risk of causing irreparable damage to your system, especially with a modification like this that leaves a screw-post permanently altered.

Know the risks and tread carefully.

I wish you all the best.

- Black-Seraph