AYANEO Pocket Micro evaluate: This is not what you would possibly count on

The world of gaming handhelds has expanded far past the confines of x86 units, as there are many Android gaming handhelds to discover. AYANEO is likely one of the corporations main the best way on this regard. However, it is taking a barely completely different method by releasing Android handhelds in a wide range of type elements, such because the AYANEO Pocket Micro.

AYANEO makes an attempt to entice those that love units that invoke some sort of nostalgia, with the Pocket Micro trying to cater to a number of factions. The most evident of which is by making a handheld that pulls inspiration from the unique NES controller.

However, what you won’t know is that the Pocket Micro’s 3.5-inch display affords an ideal 4x scaling for Game Boy Advance video games. Which is one thing that is a little bit of a rarity within the house. All the whereas, counting on Android to energy the system, which opens the floodgates to a swath of video games so that you can select from. And whereas all of that sounds nice, it is essential to maintain issues in perspective and never let the wave of nostalgia tiny your glasses any greater than they already could be.

AYANEO Pocket Micro: Price and Availability

AYANEO introduced the Pocket Micro alongside the Pocket DMG all the best way again in May with pre-orders opening in July. The Pocket Micro was the primary to develop into accessible, as shipments started in late September in restricted portions earlier than issues picked up in October.

Currently, you should purchase the AYANEO Pocket Micro by way of the Indiegogo marketing campaign, with a beginning value of $189 for the 6GB/128GB mannequin. There’s additionally an 8GB/256GB model accessible for $229, and a Limited Edition “Retro Gray” variant will be had for $259. We count on the Pocket Micro to quickly be made accessible on the AYANEO web site earlier than it involves different on-line retailers.

AYANEO Pocket Micro: What I like

Something that I’ve to concentrate to every time I’m fascinated with getting a brand new gaming handheld is the ergonomics. I in all probability have a little bit of carpal tunnel, that means that with some handhelds, I can solely play video games for perhaps half-hour earlier than I have to take a break. It varies between handhelds and really resulted in me investing in a number of grips for my Nintendo Switch.

When I noticed that the Pocket Micro was principally a brick, I used to be fairly fearful that I would not be capable to take pleasure in it. Much to my shock, that hasn’t been an excessive amount of of a difficulty, and I can not actually appear to determine why. The flat edges paired with the flat again and smaller measurement implies that I find yourself holding it in another way than different handhelds.

As a end result, the hand and wrist fatigue would not really begin settling till I’m about an hour or so right into a gaming session. While it is from the Steam Deck OLED and even ROG Ally X, the Pocket Micro is extra pleasurable to make use of than I anticipated.

If there’s one factor you have to be conscious of, it is that this factor is hefty. AYANEO has it listed at 233 grams, which is even heavier than my iPhone 16 Pro Max (227g), and barely lighter than the Galaxy Z Fold 6 (239g). This is not essentially a foul factor, particularly while you notice why it is so heavy.

That’s as a result of, along with melding glass and aluminum, AYANEO packed Active Cooling into the Pocket Micro. It did so as a way to maintain each the system and your palms, from getting too heat. With a tool this compact, warmth dissipation is vital as a result of if the warmth has nowhere to go, it will not take lengthy for throttling to start.

Speaking of efficiency, it is essential to mood your expectations. Unlike the AYANEO Pocket DMG and Pocket S, the Micro is powered by the MediaTek Helio G99 from 2022. I can solely assume this chip is on the helm as a result of it is cheaper, which is moderately essential while you’re speaking a few premium handheld.

Although it is nearly three years previous, the Helio G99 has become a sort of “previous dependable” SoC for numerous tablets and different units. That being mentioned, you’ll play many, if not all, of your favourite video games from the Play Store. In phrases of emulation, you may begin hitting the ceiling when you get into PS2 and GameDice video games.

Part of that’s helped by AYANEO providing configurations with both 6GB or 8GB of RAM, however the software program additionally has completely different efficiency profiles to assist push issues additional. I could not assist myself from no less than attempting to load up some Switch video games, unsurprisingly these efforts proved to be fruitless.

AYANEO Pocket Micro: What I do not

Without a doubt, my largest irritation with the Pocket Micro was the software program expertise. Naturally, actual property is at a premium when you’ve a 3.5-inch display to work with. But AYANEO’s in-house launcher simply would not minimize. Everything is tremendous small, and whereas I might simply modify the show scaling settings, that is not likely one thing that I need to do.

Thankfully, there are gaming-focused launchers accessible, which shortly treatment my points. Well, no less than for probably the most half. There’s nothing I can do to interchange the slide-out panel that offers you fast entry to numerous choices. But seeing as I do not actually mess with these usually, it hasn’t been a lot of a difficulty.

Instead, I’ve been bouncing between Emulation Station (ES-DE), Daijisho, and an alpha construct of Console Launcher 2.0. If you actually needed to, you may even use one thing like Nova Launcher or Lawnchair, however the place’s the enjoyable in that?

My different challenge with the Pocket Micro is not one thing that everybody should cope with, however it’s one thing to bear in mind. While I commend AYANEO for providing a gaming handheld that is each pocketable and premium, really taking part in video games would possibly develop into an issue.

Although the ergonomics of the Pocket Micro are a bit higher than a few of the different gaming handhelds, I actually do want I might play for longer than an hour at a time. While I respect the nostalgic design, it may need been good to see AYANEO supply some sort of ergonomic grip.

That’s what the corporate did with the Pocket S, because the “Protective Case” not solely retains the hand held protected however supplies a extra comfy expertise. Because of that, I’ve began altering the completely different positions that I’m holding the Micro, simply in order that I can maintain taking part in. But in the end, the very best treatment was simply to cease taking part in for a bit till my palms and/or wrists felt higher.

Again, this is not one thing that’s going to trigger points for some, however it’s value being conscious of if in case you have meaty paws and are contemplating the Micro.

AYANEO Pocket Micro: The competitors

The world of devoted Android handhelds continues to develop, and AYANEO is one firm that is main the cost. However, it isn’t the one possibility on the block, as there are fairly a number of Android gaming handhelds to select from.

In November, the Retroid Pocket 5 was launched, which is the highly-anticipated successor to the Retroid Pocket 4 Pro from January 2024. The Pocket 5 encompasses a 5.5-inch AMOLED show, whereas being powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 865 paired with 8GB of RAM and 128GB of expandable storage.

Then there’s the Anbernic RG406H, which additionally arrived in November, and is provided with the Unisoc Tiger T820, together with a smaller 4-inch IPS touchscreen. Anbernic is well-known on the earth of retro handhelds, nonetheless, the corporate tends to focus extra on Linux-based units. That being mentioned, the RG406H is an absolute delight to make use of, so long as you perceive that the T820 is not probably the most highly effective chip.

If you are searching for a handheld from an organization that you simply acknowledge, then you definitely’ll in all probability need to try the Razer Edge. This was of the primary devoted Android handhelds to be launched by a mainstream firm, powered by the Snapdragon G3x Gen 1. Although Razer has but to launch a successor, the Edge stays extremely versatile, and it is often on sale for round $215.

AYANEO Pocket Micro: Should you purchase it?

You should purchase this if…

• You need an Android handheld that appears like an NES controller with a display.
• You’re a sucker for premium units.
• You’re searching for a technique to play retro and trendy video games on a pocketable system.

You should not purchase this if…

• You’re on a funds.
• You have considerations about ergonomics.
• You need a handheld that is extra highly effective.

Frankly, I have already got my fair proportion of Android handhelds, to not point out a wide range of foldable telephones at my disposal. That being mentioned, there’s simply one thing about taking part in video games on the Pocket Micro that sparks a little bit of pleasure each time I decide it up. Sure, it isn’t as highly effective as different units, however only a few of them handle to pair a premium design with a retro aesthetic in the identical method.

At the identical time, it is actually robust to suggest the Pocket Micro to anybody who is not a retro gaming fanatic. The almost-$200 price ticket would possibly simply be an excessive amount of for some, particularly when extra highly effective handhelds will be had for across the similar value. It’s actually only a matter of contemplating the trade-offs when attempting to determine between the Pocket Micro and no matter else could be in your radar.