The world of gaming handhelds has expanded far past the confines of x86 gadgets, as there are many Android gaming handhelds to discover. AYANEO is likely one of the corporations main the best way on this regard. Nonetheless, it is taking a barely totally different method by releasing Android handhelds in quite a lot of kind elements, such because the AYANEO Pocket Micro.
AYANEO makes an attempt to entice those that love gadgets that invoke some sort of nostalgia, with the Pocket Micro seeking to cater to a number of factions. The obvious of which is by making a handheld that attracts inspiration from the unique NES controller.
Nonetheless, what you won’t know is that the Pocket Micro’s 3.5-inch display gives an ideal 4x scaling for Recreation Boy Advance video games. Which is one thing that is a little bit of a rarity within the area. All of 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 is perhaps.
AYANEO Pocket Micro: Worth and Availability
AYANEO introduced the Pocket Micro alongside the Pocket DMG all the best way again in Might with pre-orders opening in July. The Pocket Micro was the primary to turn into obtainable, as shipments started in late September in restricted portions earlier than issues picked up in October.
At present, you should purchase the AYANEO Pocket Micro via the Indiegogo marketing campaign, with a beginning worth of $189 for the 6GB/128GB mannequin. There’s additionally an 8GB/256GB model obtainable for $229, and a Restricted Version “Retro Grey” variant could be had for $259. We anticipate the Pocket Micro to quickly be made obtainable on the AYANEO web site earlier than it involves different on-line retailers.
AYANEO Pocket Micro: What I like
One thing that I’ve to concentrate to every time I am involved in getting a brand new gaming handheld is the ergonomics. I in all probability have a little bit of carpal tunnel, which means that with some handhelds, I can solely play video games for possibly half-hour earlier than I have to take a break. It varies between handhelds and truly resulted in me investing in a number of grips for my Nintendo Swap.
Once I noticed that the Pocket Micro was mainly a brick, I used to be fairly anxious that I would not be capable to get pleasure from it. A lot to my shock, that hasn’t been an excessive amount of of a problem, and I am unable to actually appear to determine why. The flat edges paired with the flat again and smaller dimension signifies that I find yourself holding it in another way than different handhelds.
Because of this, the hand and wrist fatigue does not really begin settling till I am about an hour or so right into a gaming session. Whereas it’s miles from the Steam Deck OLED and even ROG Ally X, the Pocket Micro is extra pleasurable to make use of than I anticipated.
| Class | AYANEO Pocket Micro |
|---|---|
| Show | 3.5-inch, IPS |
| Decision | 960 x 640 |
| Refresh Price | 60Hz |
| Processor | MediaTek Helio G99 |
| Storage | 128GB / 256GB (UFS 2.2) |
| Connectivity | microSD Card Slot / USB 2.0 Sort-C / Wi-Fi 5 / Bluetooth 5.2 |
| Extras | Lively Air Cooling / Fingerprint scanner / Corridor joysticks |
| Battery | 2,600mAh |
| Dimensions | 156 x 63 x 18mm |
| Weight | 233g |
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 Professional Max (227g), and barely lighter than the Galaxy Z Fold 6 (239g). This is not essentially a foul factor, particularly if you notice why it is so heavy.
That is as a result of, along with melding glass and aluminum, AYANEO packed Lively Cooling into the Pocket Micro. It did so with a purpose to preserve each the machine 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.
Talking of efficiency, it is essential to mood your expectations. Not like 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 if you’re speaking a few premium handheld.
Though it is virtually three years previous, the Helio G99 has changed into a form of “previous dependable” SoC for varied tablets and different gadgets. That being stated, you can play many, if not all, of your favourite video games from the Play Retailer. By way of emulation, you will begin hitting the ceiling when you get into PS2 and GameCube video games.
A part of that’s helped by AYANEO providing configurations with both 6GB or 8GB of RAM, however the software program additionally has totally different efficiency profiles to assist push issues additional. I could not assist myself from at the least attempting to load up some Swap video games, unsurprisingly these efforts proved to be fruitless.
AYANEO Pocket Micro: What I do not
For sure, my greatest irritation with the Pocket Micro was the software program expertise. Naturally, actual property is at a premium when you will have a 3.5-inch display to work with. However AYANEO’s in-house launcher simply does not reduce. All the things is tremendous small, and whereas I might simply modify the show scaling settings, that is probably not one thing that I need to do.
Fortunately, there are gaming-focused launchers obtainable, which rapidly treatment my points. Effectively, at the least for essentially the most half. There’s nothing I can do to interchange the slide-out panel that provides you fast entry to numerous choices. However seeing as I do not actually mess with these usually, it hasn’t been a lot of a problem.
As a substitute, I have been bouncing between Emulation Station (ES-DE), Daijisho, and an alpha construct of Console Launcher 2.0. In the event you actually wished to, you could possibly even use one thing like Nova Launcher or Lawnchair, however the place’s the enjoyable in that?
My different difficulty with the Pocket Micro is not one thing that everybody must cope with, however it’s one thing to remember. Whereas I commend AYANEO for providing a gaming handheld that is each pocketable and premium, really taking part in video games may turn into an issue.
Though the ergonomics of the Pocket Micro are a bit higher than a number of the different gaming handhelds, I actually do want I might play for longer than an hour at a time. Whereas I admire the nostalgic design, it might need been good to see AYANEO provide some sort of ergonomic grip.
That is what the corporate did with the Pocket S, because the “Protecting Case” not solely retains the hand held protected however offers a extra snug expertise. Due to that, I’ve began altering the totally different positions that I am holding the Micro, simply in order that I can preserve taking part in. However in the end, one of the best treatment was simply to cease taking part in for a bit till my palms and/or wrists felt higher.
Once more, this is not one thing that’s going to trigger points for some, however it’s value being conscious of you probably have meaty paws and are contemplating the Micro.
AYANEO Pocket Micro: The competitors
The world of devoted Android handhelds continues to broaden, and AYANEO is one firm that is main the cost. Nonetheless, it isn’t the one choice 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 Professional from January 2024. The Pocket 5 contains 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 gadgets. That being stated, the RG406H is an absolute delight to make use of, so long as you perceive that the T820 is not essentially the most highly effective chip.
In the event you’re searching for a handheld from an organization that you just acknowledge, then you definately’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. Though Razer has but to launch a successor, the Edge stays extremely versatile, and it is commonly on sale for round $215.
AYANEO Pocket Micro: Must you purchase it?
You can purchase this if…
- You need an Android handheld that appears like an NES controller with a display.
- You are a sucker for premium gadgets.
- You are searching for a approach to play retro and fashionable video games on a pocketable machine.
You should not purchase this if…
- You are on a funds.
- You’ve issues about ergonomics.
- You desire a handheld that is extra highly effective.
Frankly, I have already got my fair proportion of Android handhelds, to not point out quite a lot of foldable telephones at my disposal. That being stated, 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. Positive, it isn’t as highly effective as different gadgets, however only a few of them handle to pair a premium design with a retro aesthetic in the identical means.
On the identical time, it is actually powerful to suggest the Pocket Micro to anybody who is not a retro gaming fanatic. The virtually-$200 price ticket may simply be an excessive amount of for some, particularly when extra highly effective handhelds could be had for across the identical worth. It is actually only a matter of contemplating the trade-offs when attempting to determine between the Pocket Micro and no matter else is perhaps in your radar.
The AYANEO Pocket Micro is supposed to invoke a little bit of nostalgia, whether or not it’s for the NES or the Recreation Boy Advance with its 4:3 show. Whereas the premium construct is next-level, the Pocket Micro is perhaps a bit too costly for some.
