What you need to know
- Ayaneo has finally revealed more details about its next Android gaming handheld.
- The Pocket S is powered by the Snapdragon G3x Gen 2 and has up to 16GB of RAM and 1TB of storage.
- There are two versions available: the Pocket S 1080P Edition and the 1440P Advance Edition.
- Ayaneo’s Indiegogo campaign is underway, with early bird prices starting at either $399 or $439.
Before the calendar turned to 2024, Qualcomm and Ayaneo surprised us with the launch of the Pocket S. After a few teasers here and there but nothing substantial shared, everything has changed. Ayaneo has officially released the full spec sheet along with the pricing.
Nothing has changed in that the Pocket S continues to be powered by the Snapdragon G3x Gen 2. However, it turns out that Ayaneo is planning to launch two versions there, the 1080P Edition and the 1440P Advance Edition. The only difference between the two will be the screen resolution, but everything else remains the same.
As you might suspect, the 1080P Edition features a 6-inch “Bedgeless” IPS display with a resolution of 1920 x 1080. The Advance Edition has the same screen size but with an increased resolution of 2560 x 1440 for a higher Pixel density and a clearer image. Surprisingly, there was no mention of whether either model will offer refresh rates above 60Hz.
| Header cell – column 0 | Ayaneo Pocket S |
|---|---|
| Advertisement | 6-inch borderless IPS |
| resolution | 2560×1440 (490 PPI) / 1920×1080 (368 PPI) |
| processor | Qualcomm Snapdragon G3x Gen 2 |
| R.A.M. | 12GB/16GB LPDDR5X |
| storage | 128GB (UFS 3.1) / 512GB / 1TB UFS 4.0 |
| cooling | VC + Active air cooling |
| Connectivity | USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-C / microSD card slot / Wi-Fi 7 / Bluetooth 5.3 |
| battery | 6,000mAh with PD fast charging |
| Extras | Hall sensing joysticks / linear reverb triggers |
| biometrics | Integrated power button fingerprint recognition |
| Dimensions | 213.9 x 85 x 14mm |
| Weight | 350g |
When paired with the Snapdragon G3x Gen 2, Ayaneo offers either 12GB or 16GB of RAM and up to 1TB of expandable storage. If you choose the 512GB or 1TB model, the Pocket S uses UFS 4.0, while the 128GB version uses the older UFS 3.1 standard.
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What this all means in terms of performance is kind of subjective. According to Ayaneo, the G3x Gen 2 offers 30% more CPU performance while doubling the GPU performance compared to the G3x Gen 1. Ayaneo also claims that this chip will allow the Pocket S to “achieve a maximum continuous power of 15W.” .”
As far as design goes, it’s about what you might expect: basically, it offers an Android-based Nintendo Switch without any detachable controllers. The Pocket S has some additional features that might surprise you, as it has reverb-sensing joysticks and linear reverb triggers. These are preferred by gaming handheld owners because they are magnetic and reduce the likelihood of stick drift.
It’s pretty obvious that Ayaneo is going for elegance with the Pocket S, a far cry from the “retro” theme that was offered on the Pocket AIR. Instead of relying on a plastic shell on the front and back, the Pocket S is made of a “CNC aluminum alloy midframe” and 2.5D glass on the front.
Ergonomics might be an issue for some, and Ayaneo has thought of that too. The company offers a “protective cover…with ergonomic handles.” And when your gaming session is finished, there’s a magnetic, removable flip cover that keeps the screen looking beautiful.
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Now to the big question: the price. The Indiegogo campaign is already underway, with IGG Early Bird prices starting at either $399 for the 1080P Edition or $439 for the 1440P Advance Edition. This is for the base configuration, which includes 12GB of RAM and 128GB of storage. And if you want the “best of the best,” expect to pay either $559 or $589.
Once the Indiegogo campaign comes to an end, the sales price for both models will increase significantly. With the same basic configuration, the Pocket S 1080P Edition costs $559, while the 1440P Advance Edition costs $589. At the time of writing, Ayaneo has already surpassed its Indiegogo goal, and you can still get your hands on these early bird models.
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After all, we still have to wait a little longer until the Pocket S finds its way into the mainstream. According to Ayaneo, the 1440P Advance Edition will begin shipping sometime in “mid-May.” The 1080P edition is now coming onto the market at the end of June.
Next generation mobile gaming
Ayaneo’s Pocket S is the first gaming handheld to feature the Snapdragon G3x Gen 2. It features a stunning and slim design while offering more than enough power for emulation and your favorite Android games.