Over the previous couple of years, there’s been fairly an uptick within the variety of units devoted to on-the-go gaming. Perhaps the Steam Deck is partially in charge for this, however as a substitute of being powered by Windows or SteamOS, there are a bunch of Android gaming handhelds.
Ayaneo is considered one of these corporations main the way in which, taking its expertise from Windows handhelds and trying to make waves within the Android handheld area. The Pocket Air is Ayaneo’s first foray into Android gaming handhelds, providing a singular absorb extra methods than one.
Ayaneo Pocket Air: Price and availability
The Ayaneo Pocket Air was initially introduced in August 2023 earlier than it was formally launched in September 2023. Initially, it was obtainable by way of an Indiegogo marketing campaign, coming in a number of totally different configurations. Now, the Pocket Air could be bought immediately from the Ayaneo web site.
When introduced, three totally different configurations have been obtainable, beginning with the 6GB/128GB mannequin for $299 and maxing out with 12GB of RAM and 512GB of storage. Currently, the 8GB/256GB variant has been offered out for a while, however the 12GB/512GB model could be had for $399.
Ayaneo Pocket Air: What I like
It’s not just like the Pocket Air was the primary gaming handheld to hit the scene, however one thing that has helped it stand out is the 5.5-inch OLED show. This, paired with the retro-inspired colorway, makes for an intriguing handheld gaming resolution.
Keeping with the design, there are slight bump-outs on the left and proper sides, providing some respectable ergonomics. It pales compared to the likes of the Steam Deck or Lenovo Legion Go, however at the least it is not one other Pimax Portal or Nintendo Switch state of affairs.
Besides that, the Pocket Air has all the buttons you’d anticipate from a gaming handheld, with a number of extras. First, the 2 buttons within the backside proper nook function as shortcuts. The bigger of the 2 prompts a panel that slides in from the suitable, the place you’ll be able to shortly view and alter efficiency or fan profiles on the fly. Meanwhile, the smaller button merely takes you again to AyaSpace, the corporate’s proprietary launcher.
Last, however definitely not least, there are a few further tips that the Pocket Air has up its sleeve. For one, the facility button doubles as a fingerprint scanner, which is nice for leaping again right into a sport shortly with out coming into a PIN or drawing a sample.
| Category | Ayaneo Pocket Air |
|---|---|
| Display | 5.5-inch OLED |
| Resolution | 1920 x 1080 |
| Refresh Rate | Up to 60Hz |
| Processor | MediaTek Dimensity 1200 |
| RAM | 6GB / 8GB / 12GB |
| Storage | 128GB / 256GB; expandable by way of microSD card |
| Connectivity | USB 3.2 Gen 1 Type-C / 3.5mm headphone jack / Wi-Fi 6 / Bluetooth 5.2 / LTE |
| Extras | Extras: Hall joysticks and triggers / Fingerprint scanner |
| Battery | 7,350mAh |
| Dimensions | 224 x 89.5 x 17mm |
| Weight | 380g |
My favourite “trick” of the Pocket Air comes by way of the pull-out tray on the underside. Not solely is there a microSD card slot, which is vital when you’ve got an enormous library of video games, however in case you flip the pull-out microSD card tray over, you may see a cutout for a tiny card. That’s proper; you’ll be able to pop a SIM card into the Pocket Air and play video games actually wherever with out being tethered to Wi-Fi.
As for efficiency, MediaTek’s Dimensity 1200 can deal with just about something that you simply throw at it. This consists of the likes of PS2, GameCube, and even some Switch video games, particularly in case you go for one of many higher-end fashions which can be outfitted with extra RAM.
Don’t anticipate to emulate Tears of the Kingdom right here, however for lighter-weight titles, the Dimensity 1200 barely breaks a sweat. It’s additionally price declaring that due to the large fan cutout and energetic cooling system, I by no means as soon as felt the Pocket Air get too scorching to carry.
Ayaneo Pocket Air: What I do not like
I beforehand talked about that it is doable to emulate Switch video games on the Pocket Air. While that’s technically true, the Dimensity 1200 simply is not highly effective sufficient for higher-end Switch titles. Compounding the restrictions of MediaTek’s chip is the shortage of third-party driver help.
While MediaTek chips are extra reasonably priced in comparison with Qualcomm, the latter continues to be most well-liked resulting from higher group help. MediaTek processors are pretty “locked down” on this regard, making it harder for customized drivers to be created that help the assorted chips.
Frankly, it’s kind of disappointing to see, particularly when you think about that some MediaTek processors outperform Qualcomm equivalents in “uncooked” energy. However, if the facility cannot be optimized correctly, then these efficiency variations aren’t obtainable and should not be included in your decision-making.
All of that being stated, there is a fairly good likelihood that you simply aren’t going to attempt to push the Pocket Air to absolutely the limits. However, it is nonetheless one thing to bear in mind so that you higher perceive what’s doable.
While it most likely will not be a dealbreaker for many who plan to play retro video games, it’s disappointing to see the refresh charge capped at 60Hz. At the very least, I feel the Pocket Air ought to have featured a 90Hz refresh charge, even when the corporate did not (or could not) match the likes of the Razer Edge.
One of the issues with the Pocket Air at launch was that you simply could not remap on-screen controls to the built-in controller. Thankfully, this has been remedied by way of subsequent software program updates. However, I’m nonetheless not the largest fan of the AyaSpace launcher and interface. Thankfully, there are a number of alternate options that work fairly effectively, together with ES-DE, Beacon, and Daijisho.
Lastly, I’ve come to search out that the D-Pad on the Pocket Air is only a bit too mushy for my style. It’s virtually just like the Pocket Air and Pimax Portal are at exact opposite ends of the spectrum.
The downside is that with a mushy D-Pad, there have been instances when I’m taking part in Apotris or older Tetris video games, and the items are one or two slots off from the place I used to be attempting to put them. This is not a difficulty throughout the early ranges, nevertheless it’s undoubtedly irritating when the items are flying down and one fallacious transfer ends a run prematurely.
Ayaneo Pocket Air: The competitors
It appears that Ayaneo is trying to take over the Android gaming handheld area, and it began with the Pocket Air. Since then, the corporate has introduced the Pocket S, together with the Pocket DMG and Pocket Micro. However, at this worth level, Ayaneo’s stiffest competitors comes within the type of the AYN Odin 2 and Odin 2 Mini.
The Odin 2 and Odin 2 Mini are powered by the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2, making it extra highly effective than the Dimensity 1200. As talked about beforehand, this additionally means that there’s higher driver help for emulators. Then once more, neither the Odin 2 nor Odin 2 Mini are outfitted with an OLED show, giving the Pocket Air a fairly clear benefit.
There’s additionally the Pocket S, which was introduced final 12 months and is considered one of a handful of units to be powered by the Snapdragon G3x Gen 2. However, it will not take lengthy so that you can see that the Pocket S provides a extra premium design. With that comes a better price ticket, beginning at $589 for the bottom mannequin.
Ayaneo Pocket Air: Should you purchase it?
You should purchase this if:
- You’re in search of a great and highly effective starter Android gaming handheld.
- You desire a handheld with an OLED display.
- You do not need to spring for a Steam Deck or ROG Ally X.
- You desire a handheld with LTE connectivity and expandable storage.
You should not purchase this if:
- You’re on a finances.
- You need essentially the most highly effective Android gaming handheld.
Ayaneo obtained lots of issues proper with the Pocket Air, because it’s one of some handhelds that sport an OLED show. Plus, it is at the moment considered one of two handhelds that let you use it with a SIM card, with the opposite being the Razer Edge. However, plainly the Edge is getting phased out because it’s turning into harder to buy, and a successor has not been introduced.
With that in thoughts, the Pocket Air is a good entryway into the Android handheld scene, particularly for newbies or those that have little interest in higher-end emulation. It’s comfy to carry and provides nice battery life. Even in case you aren’t a fan of AyaSpace, you’ll be able to obtain a unique launcher.
Retro-inspired
Although the market is rising for Android gaming handhelds, the Ayaneo Pocket Air is an effective start line. For $300, you get strong efficiency, an OLED display, and even the flexibility to pop-in a SIM card to sport on the go.
