After what felt like an eternity, the Ayaneo Pocket S was lastly launched, aiming to redefine the premium Android gaming house. Part of the issue was that it was introduced in December 2023, and also you could not even purchase one till April 2024. Fast ahead to now, and the Pocket S stays one of the crucial highly effective handhelds that cash should purchase.
It appears that only a few corners had been lower as a way to hold you gaming for hours and hours. From the borderless show to the economic design and all the energy provided by the Snapdragon G3x Gen 2, the Pocket S may very well be all the pieces you ever wished.
There’s loads to love about what this handheld has to supply, nevertheless it’s not the proper expertise, if there may be such a factor. So with out additional adieu, let’s dive into the Pocket S and see what it is actually fabricated from.
Ayaneo Pocket S: Price and availability
After being introduced in December 2023, the Ayaneo Pocket S launched on Indiegogo in April 2024 earlier than it started delivery in June 2024. As of September 2024, the Pocket S can now be bought immediately from Ayaneo.
There are three totally different RAM and storage configurations to select from, together with two shade choices. Pricing begins at $509 for the bottom mannequin with 12GB of RAM and 128GB of storage, whereas the “Unmarked Edition” will set you again $749.
| Configuration | Price |
|---|---|
| 12GB / 128GB | $509 |
| 16GB / 512GB | $609 |
| 16GB / 1TB | $669 |
| 16GB / 1TB (Unmarked Edition) | $749 |
Ayaneo Pocket S: What I like
Something I’ve come to understand as I’ve grown older is the sensation of a premium system. Having used a number of Ayaneo merchandise up to now, that is clearly an space of focus for the corporate, and it is instantly obvious with the Pocket S.
This Android handheld is made out of a mixture of aluminum, glass, and a smidge of plastic. As a consequence, it offers a pleasant hefty feeling within the hand, letting me know that it will not break if I get annoyed whereas taking part in video games.
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While the all-glass entrance panel is unquestionably susceptible to glare, it nonetheless appears extremely beautiful. Much of that is helped by the borderless 6-inch display screen, accessible in both 1080p or 1440p. Luckily, my Pocket S is the latter, with my video games wanting about nearly as good because it will get from an IPS show.
It’s fairly apparent that Ayaneo virtually went all-out with the Pocket S, because it’s packed with bells and whistles. This factor has all the pieces from a microSD card slot to an influence button that doubles as a fingerprint scanner and virtually all the pieces in between. There’s even a {hardware} swap on the facet that allows you to shortly activate the totally different efficiency modes.
| Category | Ayaneo Pocket S |
|---|---|
| Display | 6-inch, IPS |
| Resolution | 1920 x 1080 / 2560 x 1440 |
| Refresh Rate | Up to 60Hz |
| Processor | Qualcomm Snapdragon G3x Gen 2 |
| RAM | 12GB / 16GB LPDDR5X |
| Storage | 128GB (UFS 3.1) / 512GB (UFS 4.0) / 1TB (UFS 4.0) |
| Connectivity | microSD card slot / USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-C / Wi-Fi 6 / Bluetooth 5.3 |
| Extras | Hall joysticks and triggers / Fingerprint scanner |
| Battery | 6,000mAh |
| Dimensions | 213.9 x 85 x 14mm |
| Weight | 350g |
Speaking of efficiency, let’s discuss what the Snapdragon G3x Gen 2 has to supply. The configuration I’ve pairs the G3x Gen 2 with 16GB of RAM and 512GB of storage, providing one of the crucial highly effective Android gadgets on the market. Because the G3x Gen 2 is principally a barely overclocked model of the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2, you’ll be able to anticipate barely higher efficiency.
When it involves emulation, the Pocket S is just a beast. It’s able to dealing with as much as Switch-level video games and even some Windows emulation by way of Winlator, largely with out breaking a sweat. Thanks to the reliance on a Snapdragon chip, there aren’t as many points with emulating extra highly effective programs. However, you will nonetheless wish to mess around with the settings and check out totally different drivers if you happen to’re operating into any points.
| Geekbench 6 | Ayaneo Pocket S | AYN Odin 2 |
|---|---|---|
| CPU: Single-Core | 1999 | 1779 |
| CPU: Multi-Core | 5071 | 4846 |
| GPU (OpenCL) | 11834 | 9080 |
| GPU (Vulkan) | 10922 | 9934 |
As you’d suspect, the Pocket S performs extremely effectively, even if you happen to follow the confines of the Google Play Store. There had been some hiccups at launch, as there have been reviews that many could not play COD: Warzone Mobile for one cause or one other. Thankfully, that is now not an issue, however that is the one sport that the Pocket S struggled with.
Frames had been inconsistent and uneven and the picture high quality seemed prefer it was straight out of the early 2010s. So whereas I used to be comfortable that I might soar right into a match, and did not have to even remap the touchscreen controls, I do hope that that is only a symptom of a current replace.
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Speaking of mapping controls, there are some video games on the Play Store that merely do not wish to work with a controller. This is even the case if you happen to’re making an attempt to play a sport out of your telephone or pill with one thing like an Xbox or DualSense controller.
Somehow, Ayaneo managed to workaround this with its implementation of “No Feeling” button mapping. All you should do is slide out the AYASpace overlay from the appropriate, then allow Key Mapping below the Controller part. Then, observe the on-screen information to map the touchscreen controls to the bodily controls on the Pocket S. This ought to work for just about any sport that you simply obtain, however your mileage might differ.
Ayaneo Pocket S: What I do not like
One of the most important issues that I’ve with many handhelds and controllers is that a few of them are simply too uncomfortable. It may very well be probably the most highly effective Android gaming handheld ever, with all the bells and whistles, however that have may very well be ruined inside minutes if my fingers begin to cramp.
Unfortunately, it is one thing I needed to take care of when utilizing the Pocket S when it first arrived. Don’t get me incorrect; it is a fantastically designed handheld that’s as premium as will be, however the flat edges and lack of curves simply actually do not let me get pleasure from taking part in video games for greater than 30-45 minutes at a time.
Surprisingly sufficient, Ayaneo has a “repair” for this, nevertheless it’s one which you can’t really purchase from the corporate’s web site. When the Pocket S Indiegogo marketing campaign launched, Ayaneo additionally launched a line of equipment, which included each an “Ergonomic Case” and a “2-in-1 Ergonomic Case.” This is principally only a plastic shell with a matte end that attaches to the hand held.
Instead of needing to take it out of a sleeve or bag, the Ergonomic Case is designed to stay hooked up to the Pocket S all the time. At the identical time, it makes it really feel extra such as you’re holding a controller, versus only a slab of glass and aluminum.
Thankfully, I acquired this a few days after the Pocket S arrived, and that is largely the place it is stayed. However, others aren’t so fortunate, because it’s surprisingly not accessible on the Ayaneo web site. You can discover it on AliExpress, however I believe it could have been a greater transfer to only embrace it within the field.
Ayaneo’s Ergonomic Case could be a “must-have” you probably have considerations about hand cramps.
It’s not probably the most excellent or elegant resolution, as you are not capable of entry the aforementioned efficiency swap on the appropriate facet or the microSD card slot on the left. With the previous, you’ll be able to nonetheless toggle between efficiency modes by way of the software program, and I’d suggest simply tossing your microSD card in there first earlier than attaching the case.
Another difficulty that I’ve is the fee. A beginning worth of a contact over $500 may very well be a troublesome tablet to swallow for everybody. At this tier, the Pocket S consists of 12GB of RAM and 128GB of storage, which could appear to be loads, however there’s extra to it than that. For simply $40 extra, you may get a way more highly effective Steam Deck OLED or ROG Ally.
While having the ability to play Windows video games on an Android gaming handheld is nice, it does require a bit extra than simply tapping the “Download” button within the Play Store. Meanwhile, the Steam Deck is well-optimized for taking part in virtually all the pieces, and the ROG Ally is only a transportable Windows pc. Not to say that the Steam Deck OLED has an OLED show with a sooner refresh charge, together with the flexibility to bodily improve the storage whereas additionally together with a microSD card slot.
It’s an argument that I actually strive to not assume an excessive amount of about with the number of Android handhelds. Still, it is troublesome to not, particularly when you will have a handheld just like the Pocket S, which turns into dearer than the Steam Deck OLED simply by bumping as much as 16GB of RAM and 512GB of storage.
A few smaller gripes that I’ve with the Ayaneo Pocket S is that I actually would’ve appreciated to see both an OLED show or an IPS display screen with a sooner refresh charge. Funnily sufficient, Ayaneo is already rectifying these complaints with one other handheld that is slated to reach later this 12 months with the Pocket EVO.
Ayaneo Pocket S: The competitors
In the realm of Android gaming handhelds, it is actually simply been a two-horse race, as we have but to see a refresh of the Razer Edge. Instead, Ayaneo and AYN have been buying and selling blows, every providing one thing a bit totally different from the opposite.
AYN exploded onto the Android gaming scene with the Odin 2, which stays one of the crucial widespread handhelds available on the market. It’s powered by the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 and is far more ergonomic whereas additionally being extra inexpensive. The 16GB/512GB Odin 2 will be had for $459, whereas this similar configuration will value you greater than $600 with the Pocket S.
Earlier this 12 months, AYN shocked many because it launched an alternative choice within the Odin 2 lineup with the Odin 2 Mini. It trades the LCD panel from the Odin 2 for a miniLED show, whereas additionally wanting like a PS Vita if it had been launched in 2024. Performance can also be dealt with by the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2, and it is priced much more affordably, coming in at both $339 or $399.
As I discussed beforehand, Ayaneo has already introduced a handheld that appears to unravel just a few of my considerations, because the Pocket EVO is slated to reach earlier than the tip of the 12 months. It shares a lot of the interior DNA from the Pocket S, however in a way more ergonomic, and sports activities an OLED show with a 165Hz refresh charge. The Indiegogo marketing campaign is at present ongoing, with the worth beginning at $389 for 8GB/128GB and going as much as $645 if you would like the “RetroPower” mannequin with 24GB of RAM and 1TB of inner storage.
Not to be outdone, AYN not too long ago introduced its newest handheld, the Odin 2 Portal, and the Indiegogo marketing campaign is formally underway. The Portal includes a 7-inch OLED show with a 120Hz refresh charge and nonetheless depends on the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 for energy. Three configurations can be found, with Early Bird pricing beginning at $329 and topping out at $499.
Ayaneo Pocket S: Should you purchase it?
You should purchase this if…
- You need probably the most highly effective Android gaming handheld to-date.
- You’re a fan of the premium design that Ayaneo continues to supply.
- You desire a handheld that may deal with virtually all your gaming wants.
- You want a gaming handheld that may simply remap touchscreen controls.
You should not purchase this if…
- You’re on a finances.
- You’d slightly simply pair a controller to your telephone.
- You solely wish to use this for cloud gaming companies.
- You need an OLED show and/or sooner refresh charges.
Although I’ve points and considerations with the Ayaneo Pocket S, I nonetheless cannot deny how unbelievable it has been to make use of. The larger downside is managing to search out the time in order that I can soar right into a sport for extra than simply a few minutes.
If it weren’t for the Pocket EVO and Odin 2 Portal slated to reach throughout the subsequent month or two, I’d really feel fairly snug recommending the Pocket S. It’s highly effective and smooth, and Ayaneo continues to enhance the software program expertise with helpful options. I’ll admit, nevertheless, that the launcher leaves loads to be desired, however that is remedied with the assistance of ES-DE for Android.
With that being mentioned, if you happen to do not wish to look forward to the EVO or the Portal, then I’d positively suggest grabbing the Pocket S. It’s obtained virtually all the pieces you would need from a devoted gaming Android handheld. Just be ready to empty your pockets to get one.
The definition of premium Android gaming
Ayaneo’s Pocket S manages to pack an unimaginable punch in one of many sleekest designs that we have seen. It’ll set you again a fairly penny, and so long as you don’t need an x86 handheld, it is price each cent.
