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 probably the most highly effective handhelds that cash can purchase.
It appears that only a few corners have been reduce in an effort to preserve you gaming for hours and hours. From the borderless show to the economic design and all the energy supplied by the Snapdragon G3x Gen 2, the Pocket S might be every part you ever wished.
There’s lots to love about what this handheld has to supply, nevertheless it’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.
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 delivery in June 2024. As of September 2024, the Pocket S can now be bought straight from Ayaneo.
There are three completely different RAM and storage configurations to select from, together with two colour 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 previously, that is clearly an space of focus for the corporate, and it is instantly obvious with the Pocket S.
This Android handheld is constituted of a mixture of aluminum, glass, and a smidge of plastic. In consequence, it gives 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 unquestionably susceptible to glare, it nonetheless appears extremely beautiful. A lot of that is helped by the borderless 6-inch display, obtainable in both 1080p or 1440p. Fortunately, my Pocket S is the latter, with my video games wanting about pretty much 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 part from a microSD card slot to an influence button that doubles as a fingerprint scanner and nearly every part 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 Charge | 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 speak about 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 probably the most highly effective Android units on the market. As a result of the G3x Gen 2 is mainly a barely overclocked model of the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2, you may count on barely higher efficiency.
In relation to emulation, the Pocket S is just a beast. It is able to dealing with as much as Swap-level video games and even some Home windows emulation through Winlator, principally 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. Nonetheless, you will nonetheless wish to mess around with the settings and check out completely different drivers in the event you’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 in the event you stick with the confines of the Google Play Retailer. There have been some hiccups at launch, as there have been reviews 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 recreation 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 might bounce right into a match, and did not must even remap the touchscreen controls, I do hope that that is only a symptom of a latest 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 in the event you’re making an attempt to play a recreation out of your cellphone or pill with one thing like an Xbox or DualSense controller.
By some means, Ayaneo managed to workaround this with its implementation of “No Feeling” button mapping. All you want to do is slide out the AYASpace overlay from the suitable, then allow Key Mapping beneath 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 recreation that you simply obtain, however your mileage might fluctuate.
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 might be probably the most highly effective Android gaming handheld ever, with all the bells and whistles, however that have might be ruined inside minutes if my arms 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 fallacious; it is a superbly designed handheld that’s as premium as may be, however the flat edges and lack of curves simply actually do not let me take pleasure in 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.” That is mainly only a plastic shell with a matte end that attaches to the hand-held.
As an alternative of needing to take it out of a sleeve or bag, the Ergonomic Case is designed to stay connected to the Pocket S all the time. On the identical time, it makes it really feel extra such as you’re holding a controller, versus only a slab of glass and aluminum.
Fortunately, I obtained this a few days after the Pocket S arrived, and that is principally the place it is stayed. Nonetheless, others aren’t so fortunate, because it’s surprisingly not obtainable on the Ayaneo web site. Yow will discover it on AliExpress, however I believe it could have been a greater transfer to only embody it within the field.
Ayaneo’s Ergonomic Case is perhaps a “must-have” when you’ve got issues about hand cramps.
It isn’t probably the most excellent or elegant answer, as you are not in a position to entry the aforementioned efficiency change on the suitable aspect or the microSD card slot on the left. With the previous, you may nonetheless toggle between efficiency modes through the software program, and I might suggest simply tossing your microSD card in there first earlier than attaching the case.
One other problem that I’ve is the price. A beginning value of a contact over $500 might be a tricky capsule to swallow for everybody. At this tier, the Pocket S contains 12GB of RAM and 128GB of storage, which could look like lots, however there’s extra to it than that. For simply $40 extra, you will get a way more highly effective Steam Deck OLED or ROG Ally.
Whereas having 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 part, and the ROG Ally is only a transportable Home windows pc. To not point out that the Steam Deck OLED has an OLED show with a sooner refresh charge, together with the power to bodily improve the storage whereas additionally together with a microSD card slot.
It is an argument that I actually strive to not assume an excessive amount of about with the number of Android handhelds. Nonetheless, it is troublesome to not, particularly when you could have 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 favored 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 12 months 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 an alternative, 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 probably the most fashionable handhelds available on the market. It is powered by the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 and is way more ergonomic whereas additionally being extra reasonably priced. The 16GB/512GB Odin 2 may be had for $459, whereas this identical configuration will value you greater than $600 with the Pocket S.
Earlier this 12 months, AYN stunned 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 have been launched in 2024. Efficiency 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 a couple of of my issues, because the Pocket EVO is slated to reach earlier than the top 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 presently 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.
To not be outdone, AYN just lately 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 Chicken pricing beginning at $329 and topping out at $499.
Ayaneo Pocket S: Must you purchase it?
You should purchase this if…
- You need probably the most highly effective Android gaming handheld to-date.
- You are a fan of the premium design that Ayaneo continues to supply.
- You need a handheld that may deal with virtually your whole gaming wants.
- You want a gaming handheld that may simply remap touchscreen controls.
You should not purchase this if…
- You are on a funds.
- You’d slightly simply pair a controller to your cellphone.
- You solely wish to use this for cloud gaming companies.
- You need an OLED show and/or sooner refresh charges.
Though I’ve points and issues with the Ayaneo Pocket S, I nonetheless cannot deny how unbelievable it has been to make use of. The larger downside is managing to seek out the time in order that I can bounce right into a recreation 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 might really feel fairly snug recommending the Pocket S. It is highly effective and modern, 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 mentioned, in the event you do not wish to look forward to the EVO or the Portal, then I might positively suggest grabbing the Pocket S. It is acquired nearly every part you would 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 unimaginable punch in one of many sleekest designs that we have seen. It’s going to set you again a reasonably penny, and so long as you do not need an x86 handheld, it is value each cent.