After what felt like an eternity, the Ayaneo Pocket S was lastly launched, aiming to redefine the premium Android gaming area. A part of the issue was that it was introduced in December 2023, and also you could not even purchase one till April 2024. Quick ahead to now, and the Pocket S stays some of the highly effective handhelds that cash can purchase.
It appears that only a few corners have been minimize to be able to maintain you gaming for hours and hours. From the borderless show to the commercial design and all the energy provided by the Snapdragon G3x Gen 2, the Pocket S may very well be every thing you ever wished.Â
There’s lots to love about what this handheld has to supply, but it surely’s not the right expertise, if there’s such a factor. So with out additional adieu, let’s dive into the Pocket S and see what it is actually manufactured from.Â
Ayaneo Pocket S: Worth and availability
After being introduced in December 2023, the Ayaneo Pocket S launched on Indiegogo in April 2024 earlier than it started transport in June 2024. As of September 2024, the Pocket S can now be bought instantly from Ayaneo.
There are three completely 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 Version” will set you again $749.
| Configuration | Worth |
|---|---|
| 12GB / 128GB | $509 |
| 16GB / 512GB | $609 |
| 16GB / 1TB | $669 |
| 16GB / 1TB (Unmarked Version) | $749 |
Ayaneo Pocket S: What I like
One thing 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 comprised of a mixture of aluminum, glass, and a smidge of plastic. Consequently, 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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Whereas the all-glass entrance panel is definitely susceptible to glare, it nonetheless appears extremely gorgeous. A lot of that is helped by the borderless 6-inch display, accessible in both 1080p or 1440p. Fortunately, my Pocket S is the latter, with my video games wanting about nearly as good because it will get from an IPS show.
It is fairly apparent that Ayaneo virtually went all-out with the Pocket S, because it’s packed with bells and whistles. This factor has every thing from a microSD card slot to an influence button that doubles as a fingerprint scanner and nearly every thing in between. There’s even a {hardware} change on the aspect that allows you to rapidly activate the completely different efficiency modes.
| Class | Ayaneo Pocket S |
|---|---|
| Show | 6-inch, IPS |
| Decision | 1920 x 1080 / 2560 x 1440 |
| Refresh Price | As much as 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 Sort-C / Wi-Fi 6 / Bluetooth 5.3 |
| Extras | Corridor joysticks and triggers / Fingerprint scanner |
| Battery | 6,000mAh |
| Dimensions | 213.9 x 85 x 14mm |
| Weight | 350g |
Talking 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 some of the highly effective Android gadgets on the market. As a result of the G3x Gen 2 is mainly a barely overclocked model of the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2, you possibly can count on barely higher efficiency.
In terms of emulation, the Pocket S is just a beast. It is able to dealing with as much as Change-level video games and even some Home windows emulation by way of Winlator, largely with out breaking a sweat. Because of the reliance on a Snapdragon chip, there aren’t as many points with emulating extra highly effective programs. Nevertheless, you will nonetheless wish to mess around with the settings and check out completely different drivers for those who’re working 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 for those who persist with the confines of the Google Play Retailer. There have been some hiccups at launch, as there have been experiences that many could not play COD: Warzone Cellular for one motive or one other. Fortunately, that is not an issue, however that is the one sport that the Pocket S struggled with.
Frames have been inconsistent and uneven and the picture high quality appeared prefer it was straight out of the early 2010s. So whereas I used to be joyful that I may leap right into a match, and did not must even remap the touchscreen controls, I do hope that that is only a symptom of a current replace.
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Talking of mapping controls, there are some video games on the Play Retailer that merely do not wish to work with a controller. That is even the case for those who’re making an attempt to play a sport out of your telephone or pill with one thing like an Xbox or DualSense controller.
Someway, Ayaneo managed to workaround this with its implementation of “No Feeling” button mapping. All it’s good to do is slide out the AYASpace overlay from the fitting, then allow Key Mapping underneath the Controller part. Then, comply with 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 just obtain, however your mileage might differ.
Ayaneo Pocket S: What I do not like
One of many largest issues that I’ve with many handhelds and controllers is that a few of them are simply too uncomfortable. It may very well be essentially 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 palms begin to cramp.
Sadly, it is one thing I needed to cope with when utilizing the Pocket S when it first arrived. Do not get me unsuitable; it is a fantastically designed handheld that’s as premium as may 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, but it surely’s one which you could’t truly 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.” That is mainly only a plastic shell with a matte end that attaches to the hand held.
As a substitute 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. On the similar time, it makes it really feel extra such as you’re holding a controller, versus only a slab of glass and aluminum.Â
Fortunately, I obtained this a few days after the Pocket S arrived, and that is largely the place it is stayed. Nevertheless, others aren’t so fortunate, because it’s surprisingly not accessible on the Ayaneo web site. You’ll find it on AliExpress, however I feel it will have been a greater transfer to simply embody it within the field.Â
Ayaneo’s Ergonomic Case is likely to be a “must-have” you probably have considerations about hand cramps.
It isn’t essentially the most good or elegant resolution, as you are not in a position to entry the aforementioned efficiency change on the fitting aspect or the microSD card slot on the left. With the previous, you possibly can nonetheless toggle between efficiency modes by way of the software program, and I would advocate simply tossing your microSD card in there first earlier than attaching the case.
One other difficulty that I’ve is the price. A beginning worth of a contact over $500 may very well be a tricky tablet to swallow for everybody. At this tier, the Pocket S consists of 12GB of RAM and 128GB of storage, which could look like a lot, 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.
Whereas with the ability to play Home windows video games on an Android gaming handheld is nice, it does require a bit extra than simply tapping the “Obtain” button within the Play Retailer. In the meantime, the Steam Deck is well-optimized for enjoying nearly every thing, and the ROG Ally is only a transportable Home windows laptop. To not point out 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 is an argument that I actually strive to not suppose an excessive amount of about with the number of Android handhelds. Nonetheless, it is tough to not, particularly when you have got a handheld just like the Pocket S, which turns into costlier 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 preferred to see both an OLED show or an IPS display with a sooner refresh charge. Funnily sufficient, Ayaneo is already rectifying these complaints with one other handheld that is slated to reach later this yr with the Pocket EVO.
Ayaneo Pocket S: The competitors
Within 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. As a substitute, Ayaneo and AYN have been buying and selling blows, every providing one thing a bit completely different from the opposite.
AYN exploded onto the Android gaming scene with the Odin 2, which stays some of the well-liked handhelds available on the market. It is powered by the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 and is far more ergonomic whereas additionally being extra reasonably priced. The 16GB/512GB Odin 2 may be had for $459, whereas this similar configuration will value you greater than $600 with the Pocket S.
Earlier this yr, AYN stunned many because it launched another 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 have been launched in 2024. Efficiency can 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 a couple of of my considerations, because the Pocket EVO is slated to reach earlier than the top of the yr. It shares a lot of the inner 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 need the “RetroPower” mannequin with 24GB of RAM and 1TB of inner storage.
To not be outdone, AYN lately introduced its newest handheld, the Odin 2 Portal, and the Indiegogo marketing campaign is formally underway. The Portal contains 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 Chook pricing beginning at $329 and topping out at $499.
Ayaneo Pocket S: Must you purchase it?
You should purchase this if…
- You need essentially the most highly effective Android gaming handheld to-date.
- You are 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 are on a price range.
- You’d quite simply pair a controller to your telephone.
- You solely wish to use this for cloud gaming providers.
- You need an OLED show and/or sooner refresh charges.
Though I’ve points and considerations with the Ayaneo Pocket S, I nonetheless cannot deny how incredible it has been to make use of. The larger drawback is managing to seek out the time in order that I can leap 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 inside the subsequent month or two, I would really feel fairly snug recommending the Pocket S. It is highly effective and glossy, and Ayaneo continues to enhance the software program expertise with helpful options. I’ll admit, nonetheless, that the launcher leaves lots to be desired, however that is remedied with the assistance of ES-DE for Android.
With that being stated, for those who do not wish to watch for the EVO or the Portal, then I would undoubtedly advocate grabbing the Pocket S. It is acquired nearly every thing you possibly can need from a devoted gaming Android handheld. Simply be ready to empty your pockets to get one.
The definition of premium Android gaming
Ayaneo’s Pocket S manages to pack an unbelievable punch in one of many sleekest designs that we have seen. It’s going to set you again a fairly penny, and so long as you don’t need an x86 handheld, it is value each cent.
