AYANEO Pocket S: Flagship Android Handheld
ฝัง
- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 26 มิ.ย. 2024
- Here is a first look at the upcoming AYANEO Pocket S, a sleek and stylish Android handheld that is reminiscent of a flagship smartphone. Let's test out its fit and finish, controls, and the gaming potential of its powerful Snapdragon G3x Gen 2 CPU.
More info: www.indiegogo.com/projects/po...
3D-printed grip cases (example): www.etsy.com/shop/EpicPrintin...
Update: after publishing this video, I’ve received feedback from the AYANEO team that they have watched the video and are working on some of the issues raised in it. In particular, they noted that the d-pad will be re-assessed, the back cover material is still in development, the heat distribution will be further optimized, and their software suite will take into consideration my suggestions. They will also reach out to the open-source driver developers to provide test units and coordination. I’m happy to hear that there is a far enough window that they can tackle these improvements before final production, which is a rare thing in this community.
This was an early prototype unit sent to me by the manufacturer. All opinions are my own and no money was exchanged in any way.
Timestamps:
00:00 introduction
01:25 specs
02:21 impressions and controls
09:47 size and ergonomics
17:23 screen and software
20:25 emulation testing
26:33 summary (green/red flags)
29:20 Pocket S wishlist
31:29 conclusion
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#AYANEO #emulation #androidgaming - เกม
Update: after publishing this video, I’ve received feedback from the AYANEO team that they have watched the video and are working on some of the issues raised in it. In particular, they noted that the d-pad will be re-assessed, the back cover material is still in development, the heat distribution will be further optimized, and their software suite will take into consideration my suggestions. They will also reach out to the open-source driver developers to provide test units and coordination. I’m happy to hear that there is a far enough window that they can tackle these improvements before final production, which is a rare thing in this community.
After publishing what? It's only been out for 14mins?
Could have been unlisted for a bit.
@@celiskurtis
@@celiskurtis I sent them an unlisted preview link last night with the understanding that there wouldn’t be any changes to the video content in any way. I rarely do that but they were excited to get the feedback and I didn’t want to force them to stay up to 2am in their time zone to watch it 😎
Why don’t they hire you as a consultant ?
Great to hear they are paying attention to the community. I am watching their AyaNeo discord like a Hawk in case updates come for some of the software.
I still have barely any idea of how to set up AyaSpace in the Pocket Air, and have just resorted to Daijisho or Console Launcher (your friend from Hawaii) 😅
I don't see a world in which AYANEO puts one of these out with an LTE option. Qualcomm gives a hefty discount on SOCs that are shipped without a cellular modem. Adding the modem back in would boost the hardware price and potentially introduce additional license fees to AYANEO. This is a reason why, for example, the Odin 2 was able to be sold much cheaper than any phone that contained an 8 Gen 2.
why not a cpl of their other model that use snapdragon have it.....i think its more about keeping costs down overall
Yeah... I agree it is a keeping costs down thing. That is why I said, "Adding the modem back in would boost the hardware price and potentially introduce additional license fees to AYANEO." @@christopher480
Plus add a decent camera and BOOM! Prices quickly rocket.
@@leonard8766 camera modules and modems are cheap, especially for giant volume orders. sure they add costs, but an extra $50 to the consumer would easily cover it.
and then many people would buy one of these as their main device, instead of having a phone and then spending yet more on a secondary device.
Why not when AYANEO charges such a premium already?
I don't see why they can't offer 2 models of whatever the flagship tier is for example
1. 16gb ram & 1-2 tb ssd wifi only
2. 16 gb ram & 1-2 tb ssd plus LTE
Only order maybe a couple thousand or so chips with the module and slap an extra $150-200 on top of their existing flagship.
I get not doing a LTE model for every tier but I don't see why they couldn't do one and change extra covering the costs + whatever profit they want on top of it.
Sure Qualcomm charges a premium but I can't imagine it would be much more than like an additional $20 for that to be included. So charge another $150-200 for that option
Their high end already cost a crazy amount so I'd bet a good percentage of the buyers of the flagship would grab that model
The screen and bezels,( or lack of bezel)😍
Hey Russ, thank you for the shout out! Assuming that the price of this handheld isn't sky high, I do plan on releasing a 2-in-1 grip style case for it like I have with the RP3+ and RP4 (and pro). If you'd like me to send you one for that (when it releases) or the RP4, please let me know. Thanks again!
Do you think you can 3D Design, and Custom Print a case for me and other people?
Specifically I want to have the Razer JungleCat to be compatible with more devices, such as the Sony Xperia 1/5, Samsung xCover 6 Pro, ASUS ZenFone, and maybe some options from popular Xiaomi phones.
Right now I have jerry rigged the Samsung Note 9 case from Razer, to work with the Google Pixel 8 Pro. Thats currently the phone with the best software (updates, root, custom roms, alternate OS), and it's working on the best pocketable controller. It was a good run with the official Samsung S10+ module, but that phone is now showing its age (No 5G, less battery life, not fast enough to emulate PS Vita/NSwitch).
Cheers in advance!
this just looks so slick and i love the design. i was even thinking about getting this instead of a new phone cuz i was hoping it could be used as such
Was literally waiting for review on this
Love your videos! And holy heck it seems like a new handheld comes out every week
I am in love with this device, even just 3-4 years ago a device like this would seem just a dream. If they do indeed resolve your concerns then this will be an instant buy once it's available.
You do such an amazing job reviewing and breaking down these devices you definitely know what to say to describe what you're feeling
Yes!!!! Thank you for covering this one Russ. I’m wondering much like everyone else is how this stacks up against the Odin 2
Aya Neo have never stacked up well compared to the competition. So I think this device will have questionable availability, priced slightly higher, and come with a handful of drawbacks.
If this device was released in a functional state, and released 1-2 years ago, I think we would have had somewhat of a discussion. As it is, the AYN Odin2 just looks like the better overall deal, and the v1 SteamDeck with its discounts, refurbished, and used market just sort of make this a non-starter.
@@ekinteko wow you couldn't be more wrong. Saying they've never stacked up well makes no sense as they aren't competing against anyone., not to mention the company has only been making devices for a few years.
The moment you mention the steamdeck, all credibility you have drops out the window. Not even the same realm of devices as this. This is an INSTANT buy as it's more premium build than the odin 2 and higher res screen. You're delusional if you think anybody considering buying this would settle with a steam deck. Yes I said settle bc anybody buying a steamdeck at this point in time is settling with an underpowered cinder block with no actual degree of portability.
@@const3llations_370 Wow, the fanboys are out in force today.
These are Gaming Devices. There are several forms to them, from the Keyring, to the Pocket, to the Backpack, to the Mini Tower, and lastly to a Full Desktop.
This device sits firmly in the Backpack category. It is NOT pocketable, it is PORTABLE. That is a HUGE difference.
In that same category you have notable devices like the NSwitch Lite, AYN Odin2, ASUS ROG Ally, Valve SteamDeck, and the GPD Win-Max-3. All of these devices are competing for your attention, they all want a spot in your backpack. But it wouldn't make much sense to have more than one.
With this all said, anyone who is unbiased can see this is a healthy market with competition. Which means that AYA Neo must bring something to the table, something to remain not just viable, but competitive, or even compelling. And from the known aspects, it seems to be lacking in this front. They don't have the best availability (ASUS), they don't have the best support (Valve), they don't have the most useful/practical form (GPD), and they don't have the lowest price (AYN).
So if I seem sceptical, it's because I have a reason to. And good reasons at that. I welcome AYA Neo themselves to come and prove me wrong, make this a compelling option. Otherwise this will be another forgotten project, that didn't really garner the success they hoped it would. And if you know the history of this brand, you would know they never have stacked up well.
The best product they had was the AYA Neo Air Plus Intel, for USD $249 (or less) for the i3-1215U Processor. It was even better than the AYN Loki Mini Pro for $280 with the same processor. And I commend both companies IF they did deliver. They could NOT. Both companies delayed then cancelled the ordered and the projects. Eventually AYA Neo decided to bring it back, but they reduced the quantity/orders and increased the price by almost x3. It was not worth it. So ya.... they never really stacked up well.
Cheers Russ. If I moved in more exalted circles, this is the handheld I'd want to pull out. Classy.
Thanks for doing the size comparison!
I love this design, looks like one of the first of these handhelds that I could see being sold on store shelves.
Yet the Steam Deck isn't even at stores like Best Buy. It's a nice idea, but doubtful.
Rog ally already is
Great video as ever mate 🙂
"I think 6 inches is just about perfect."
"The best thing I've ever done is to convince my wife that this is six inches"
We're talking about phallus?
Because for handhelds it is the worst size! It is way too big to be pocketable, and so must compete with other portables which have much nicer/bigger screens to look at. Currently the ideal portable screen size is around 8.5 inches, whereas the ideal pocketable size is around 5.0 inches.
That "mere" difference of 3.5 inches is actually pretty huge in real world, but my partner doesn't agree 😂
😩
@@ekinteko most definitely 👍
That's what she said
I'd like to see you try to sit down on that couch behind you when you're doing a pocketability test. It's one thing to fit one of these bricks in your giant man pockets while standing, but checking how it looks and feels in a pocket when you're sitting down would also be helpful
@@anmalaag1225 Exactly. I don't know why Russ insists on comparing these "mini portables" against actual "pocketable" devices. They are a separate category. You wouldn't compare the iPad Mini against an iPhone Max.
Also, it's good that he does this test AT ALL. Most other people barely gloss over the subject, or skip it completely. However, his test is severely limited by using those baggy pants, and not really manoeuvring in them. For example, the Samsung S24 Plus is a BIG phone but feels decent when carried in your pocket. Meanwhile the Samsung S24 Ultra is just a monster. It sticks out, feels uncomfortable, and barely qualifies for the "pocketable" moniker. It's fine for carrying in a purse though.
On top of this, I have a hunch that, I know and Russ knows, a lot of these review devices aren't worth your attention. But he isn't being as honest, or critical, or as unbiased as he should be. That is because if he did so, it would put him at a disadvantage compared to other websites and TH-camrs. Getting exclusive access and early devices is a pretty useful advantage.
Would love to see a lag test compared to the Odin 2, similar to the one you did in that video. If this is more responsive (hopefully all but guaranteed), I may upgrade.
Touching up the d-pad, amoled screen (for power efficiency, contrast, and color), and adding a case/cover for the face of the device when pocketing/taking out would make this an absolute buy for me for daily portable gaming. Makes me excited to see potential changes before release and if the retail model doesn't hit, then rev 2. Kudos to the design team. I've got my eye on this impressive design. Any chance to have to have the joysticks flash a color to represent the changing of power profile?
It's exciting to see something so small do so much! I can't wait tonsee what the future holds! 💚
This might be a good device for me to use,thanks for making this video
Great review! Always wanted a more sleek switch lite, so this looks ideal. I think for many of us, something thin is great for packing in bags and slings, it doesn't need to be pocketable. The thickness matters, which is why it can be difficult travelling with a steam deck (where a laptop is fine). On that, I think something helpful to add to your reviews is showing how a device packs in a sling or bag for travel, as that's something many of us use our handhelds for.
My hands feel cramp from seeing it!
Thanks for insight review as usual! Russ
This handheld is gorgeous!
If they can get a couple of your observations on board, that one is going to be a best seller, and probably have me in. Thanks for showcase
It’s a beautiful handheld for sure
I love the edge to edge display!
That's not an edge to edge display...
Laminated glass top. How would it look with a screen protector on top?
Man ayaneo keep innovating in months they are fast
Wow, this device is beautiful! It looks nice
I can't wait! This is gonna be my #1 device. I'm excited to watch it develop. Hope it doesn't take too long to release 😅
2 steps forward 1 step back. Oled screen would of made this perfect.
Love your content. Love from India. ❤
Russ, thanks for the great review as always. Does it look like there will be video out options? I am either buying this or the Odin 2 and video out is very important
This looks sweet, is that a fingerprint sensor as the power button? 15:54 should be the thumbnail! LOL! Hey ladies!
That protective case looks nice, man! It looked OLED to me until you mention it wasn't, deep blacks from what I can tell.
I wish Ayn learned from Ayaneo when it comes to their software like Ayaspace.
Given all this power, and it's slimness, how's the battery life? How big is the battery? Strange how we're not seeing that... Is it 6000mah? I think it's kinda like the RP4+ so much power but.. ya know.
Great preview, Russ! Thanks!
I'm planning to get a handheld in the next 2 - 3 months. It was the Odin 2 handsdown until I picked up on this in development. I'm going to wait and see where this ends up though. Looking forward to the review / second look at the final model (or close to finalised model)
I genuinely wish AYANEO could do something about their pricing, it's always been the thorn in their side. If this costs too much (and sadly I know it will), it's dead in the water from the out.
I do like the design here to a point. I like better ergonomics these days, but there's no denying the looks here are nice indeed. Hopefully they can fix the foibles you mentioned, it may be necessary for this to even survive before it's even available. Great job as always Russ, glad they're listening to you!
I really like this device, but I do wish Aya would focus on bringing down the price on just a few particular devices instead of making and releasing a new one seemingly every month. Nothing will ever stick like that.
They would have to just price this handheld below the base Odin 2, and this would be an instant cop in every enthusiasts eyes. That or retail this at the same price as the base Odin 2.
I would say that if it's sold below $250USD then it'll do reasonably well, at least for a Chinese handheld. If it's above $250USD, then it's starts to fall off pretty substantively.
If it's above $300USD, it's straight up dead on arrival as you're now competing with the far more capable X86 handhelds, like the Steam Deck (you can literally get a 64GB model for $350USD right now).
@@pieceofschmidtgamer I understand that Steam Deck is cheaper and more powerful in general. However, all x86 battery life is still rubbish due to the design of the x86 itself. One of the reasons why I'm not even taking a look at Ally or Legion Go is due to the awful battery life; why would I want a handheld device whose battery life is only 2-3 hours? I do agree even at $300, Odin 2 is a tad expensive, but I don't see any x86 device that can match ARM battery life.
@@romeocharliegolf You do realize that with X86 you gain access to your PC games library, right?
And as for battery life... You do realize that 2-3 hour battery life is for AAA games right? If you're doing old games or retro emulation you can easily double that battery life.
Was genuinely waiting for this review 👀
Damn that looks so clean.
RGC and ETA releasing videos on the Pocket S only a few minutes apart... and of course RGC is the one that doesn't feel like an advertisement and actually helps you to make an informed decision.
who is ETA?
@@antoniospoulis5285ETA Prime.
Prime 💪 🤖
Optimus that is 😂
@@antoniospoulis5285some dude who says everything is the best and also a console, pc and a beast.
Did he make a new one, last one was a day ago
that design, super sick!!!
with EmuDeck for Android currently in beta, by the time this launches and if it isnt priced stupidly it could be the GOAT of retro handhelds
It’s Aya, it will be priced stupidly.
I agree, if they stick the landing, I’m honestly the most impressed by the design of this handheld over everything else I’ve seen.
@@awesomereviews1561 unfortunately yeah 😓
I'm not very familiar with EmuDeck. I'm a single device user, so I have Daijisho on my Android handheld. Is the hype over EmuDeck because of how easy is to sync between multiple devices? Or would there be other advantages over Daijisho even for single device users like myself?
@@awesomereviews1561- yeah totally this, they seem to think they're the Gucci of handheld manufacturers. I wouldn't be surprised if this is £600, for the lowest config.
I'd totally be interested because of how gorgeous it is, but the sticks on the RP4/2s/Odin 2 are just so good that I don't want to use anything that doesn't have them. They're just perfect for these android handhelds.
Try playing any FPS on the Odin 2. The placement of the sticks, and the ergonomics are terrible.
Don't get me wrong tho. I adore mine.
@@Game4Lord Yeah, I don't play FPS games on these devices, mostly retro w/ filters and racers. I leave FPS for my PC :)
@@Game4Lordyea bro I get your gripes about it, but I’m glad I grew up on Xbox so it isn’t that bad for me lol
@@Game4Lord mine is a jrpg machine, and man is it perfect for that.
@@Game4Lord I mean it's serviceable for cod mobile. Tbh I've never had a good fps experience on any handheld including steam deck. Even splatoon in handheld mode on a switch is meh. That being said I am mostly a M&K player on PC for fps.
As always nicely done Russ👍🏼 its nice and sleek and I agreed it needs some changes!
I’m very excited about this device. I might not get it for a while after it releases, especially if it’s expensive, but I I think this is the perfect handheld retro device I’ve been looking for that is powerful and still technically pocketable. The only other device I think it compares to as far as personal appeal is the retroid pocket 4 pro, but this is in totally different leagues
I was waiting for this! ❤
Just a quick unrelated topic but are you bringing out the RG556 full review this week? I'm keen to hear your final thoughts and maybe even a comparison against the RP4 Pro!
I'm curious if Russ has a video or article listing out his gold-standard for the various components; dpad, face buttons, joysticks, triggers, etc.?
Can't wait for a Minisforum V3 review. Please try and get a one in from them! :) That'll probably be my OG Deck upgrade that does everything without compromise.
I love the size of this
I'm definitely waiting for that one.
Love your Content ❤ Greetings from Germany
We need an updated video :)
Now it’s up for preorder.
Very tempting. They used a 16:9 screen, unlike the idiots at Razr.
If this could take a SIM card, I wouldn’t hesitate in buying.
The chip doesnt come with a modem (that's why the chip price is low compared to the performance), using an external modem will need a license and the hardware and thus increasing the price. sim card is a trade off for this.
Edit: just saw the price, with those price we deserve a sim slot and much more
@@notweewee right. The razer sans modem is on sale for $300 right now. Though the 5g version is still $600
AWESOME REVIEW 😊!!! I want them to add LTE Sim Card!!! U didn’t mention the new rumble feature? Or Video out to TV?
I ordered a 1440p 16Gb 1Tb model and cannot wait for it to ship. It's nice to see a device this powerful look so similar to a Switch Lite, especially in size. Ayaneo have been absolutely fantastic with orders and interactions so far. The price is definitely high end but the early bird sale brought it down enough for me to go big. And $399 for the most basic model is lower than I was expecting.
As for emulation I'm actively testing the active switch emulators for android in prep. If nothing else I still have the last build for Yuzu and Suyu. I can't wait for delivery.
I would love to see more 7-inch screens on these devices. I can't wait to see what they market does next.
Awwwwwe yeah! Let's jump right in!
I love the glass front but i wonder how best add a screen protector it
I love the design, I am sure there will be 3rd party case grip for this
I have Vita and Switch Lite
maybe this is going to be my first android handheld
Man, this would be perfect for psp and switch. Something of this size that's also capable of shaders is a dream, too. That's where the power and resolution will really shine, imo. I know it'll be out of my budget, though.
i will immediately buy this. I have odin lite and zfold 5 but i cant be putting that much use on my fold and this carries the same level of sleek. Must have
Something I would like to see when it comes to testing D-Pad on handheld devices is trying to run and slide under the one block gap in World 1-2 of SMB1 as big Mario/Luigi and trying to duck jump and moving left or right. The Anbernic devices that I have fail at both of those and that's kind of killer for playing older platformers.
Wow that thing is beautiful
Its beautiful and the absolute perfect size compared to emulating on my steam deck... definitely buying day one
Celeste looks amazing on this device!
Great video! I'd love to see how well Moonlight and Steam Link work on these Android devices.
Russ, I've been meaning to say it for a while now, but your taste in music is impeccable; love that mewithoutYou shirt and the Rites of Spring one is always appreciated. Great review as well obviously!
I've been looking forward to this one for awhile. After using the RP4 for a while though I'm kinda over regular switch sticks...
People always say the gaming handhelds before this that they are just phones with controllers built in, but this one is the really look like it.
This is the most beautiful android device ive seen so far. Looks very sleek and premium. If price isnt stupid high, i think this will be the best device onbthe market for awhile
Really hope theyll do the whole driver thing. I really want this just for the fact of switch emulation
Thank you for including Sega Saturn with Beetle core.
Would have liked a quick comparison with its predecessor the AYANEO Pocket Air !
Given how similar it is to the Odin 2, I think you could look at comparisons between that and the Pocket Air.
From what I know MediaTek CPUs struggle with Switch and other higher emulators.
The realest reviewer out there
Hey Russ, any information about video output? With these potentials I would consider even the possibility to use the Pocket S as a console (hoping that the price could be not so far from Odin 2 or Pocket Air)
damn this looks good just hope something similiar will reach 250 as time passes
Can you do some input latency testing like you did with the Odin 2?
It's beautiful
Its this one i want !!! I hope they release this month. White color for me
If they price this competitively to the Odin 2 Pro, we could see a lot of them being sold. But this is AYANEO, so it would probably be more towards the expensive side.
I feel like this thing's gonna be $1000
@@DanWhiteT at that price steamdeck is reasonable choice no ?
Looks nice, but a full glass front is not a good idea. Smugs are the least to worry about, if the glass cracks near the control area. It would be hard to use it without getting glass in your fingers. A cracked screen alone can still be used.
Still getting the Odin 2 pro (waiting for mine) but damn this looks great!
Bout time they announce a new handheld.
This thing is the perfect middleground between something beefy like the deck and the little ambernics. It running ps2 on a sleek portable is just what I'd want. The price is gonna be tough though
They need to make pop-out-able grips for these flat devices, it would be nice to see some type of system like that can give you more grip but then be pushed down to be sleek and slim again
Knowing AYANEO's pricing i'm expecting this to be quite a bit more expensive than the Odin 2 but I'd love to see where this goes!
we like oled not just for the contrast, but for the gaming, the instantaneous pixel response times are far better than ips for motion clarity
That is a beautiful handheld device I wish the playstation Vita 2 would look something similar to this it is so beautiful
*I'm very interested in this one.*
Hello Russ, thanks for the great video again. I hate that they release devices so often and every time they get better that I want to upgrade to the next one. This brings me to one issue or request I have to you. Do you mind to look into the options for switching from one to the other device by using Android backup and reinstalling on another device if you understand what I mean. Best regards from Germany, Tommy
Great video Russ. Is there a way save Wii U game progress..?
This formfactor is exactly how I would want the future iteration of the psp to look like, just in matte black and with both analog sticks on the bottom like a regular playstation controller
I would say that companies should start making this handhelds with ergonomic handles out of the gate. Considering the size and the stacked shoulder buttons, you are already sacrificing portability, why not go with a fully ergonomic design? And can be something subtle like the RGB10 Max 3 that you recently reviewed. Just a thought, but other than that I'm really liking this device, let's see how they improve it before release.
How do you think this will compare to the Pocket Air Retro? I have one and it is my go to handheld at the moment (I started with a Retroid and like/understand the android emulation ecosystem). While this new Pocket S looks so, so slick I worry that it will be significantly less ergonomic with a not particularly noticeable upgrade in performance. What do you think?
Curently I'm using my Mix fold 3 with a backbone or gamesir x2 controller as my emulation device but I'm definitely getting this!
I'm on the same board you were playing on Prince of Persia.. trying to beat this damn game! It is a very good game, tho..oh, and I like the Pocket S as well, lol
I hope they'll make the 'case' have proper sized grips that extends down (just like the rp3+/rp4pro grips) instead of just the slight bumps shown in the image
I usually set the graphics output to 720p on 1440p displays like this and you can get 5x the graphical power out of the GPU at that setting(plus 3x battery life).
Thanks to the display being 1440p, meaning 4 pixels per pixel at 720p, what you get is a 720p display with no screen-door effect. Perfect for handheld gaming.
Math nuts know that a single rendered 720p frame uses 2,764,800 GPGPU threads to output, while a 1440p frame uses 11,059,200 threads. Nearly 5 times the GPU usage for a barely perceivable image quality increase.
this build quality looks awesome! I'm definiteily looking out to see the price, understanding it will be a premium one... how do you think this stacks up against the Odin 2 Pro specfiically, if someone already has one?
If this was an actual phone with the same built-in controls and a 720p screen it would be a must buy
What’s the screen refresh rate? Is it somewhat smeary in motion like the Odin 2?
"Premium" Word. Always make me think other wise. After hearing it flat out on the Anbernec rg405m and device fell apart. Saying that. Really looking forward to this!