Ayaneo Pocket Air Assessment: A promising inaugural step.

In recent years, there has been a significant surge in the number of devices dedicated to mobile gaming on-the-go. While the Steam Deck may have contributed to this trend, it’s worth noting that alternative Android-based gaming handhelds have emerged as a viable option.

Ayaneo has emerged as a leader among these corporations by leveraging its expertise in Windows handhelds to make a significant impact in the competitive Android handheld market. The Pocket Air marks Ayaneo’s inaugural foray into portable gaming, offering an innovative amalgamation of multiple features in a single device.

The Ayaneo Pocket Air had its initial unveiling in August 2023, preceding its official launch in September 2023. Initially, the product debuted through a successful Indiegogo crowdfunding campaign, offering several distinct versions. Now, the Pocket Air is available for direct purchase on the Ayaneo website.

Three distinct configurations debuted initially: a 6GB/128GB variant available for $299, followed by an 8GB/256GB option, and finally culminating in a top-tier model featuring 12GB of RAM and 512GB of storage. Although the 8GB/256GB version has been available for some time, the 12GB/512GB variant was still priced at $399.

While the Pocket Air wasn’t the first gaming handheld to market, its 5.5-inch OLED display sets it apart from competitors. This pairing of nostalgic aesthetics and tactile gameplay potential creates a captivating portable gaming experience.

With its sleek design, this product features subtle bump-outs on both the left and right sides, fostering exceptional ergonomic comfort. While it falls short of matching the Steam Deck and Lenovo Legion Go in terms of performance, it’s certainly no match for the Nintendo Switch either.

The Pocket Air boasts a comprehensive array of buttons typically found in a gaming handheld, with a judicious selection of additional features. Initially, two buttons located in the rear corner serve as convenient shortcuts. As the larger of two prompts, a panel effortlessly slides into view, allowing for swift inspection and modification of efficiency or fan profiles with ease. In the intervening period, a tiny button simply redirects you back to AyaSpace’s own proprietary launcher.

Finally, but certainly not least, among the Pocket Air’s arsenal of features lie a few additional nuances to further enhance your experience. With its dual functionality, the ability button seamlessly integrates as a fingerprint scanner, allowing swift and secure access to your desired game without the hassle of PIN entry or manual biometric authentication.

The most ingenious aspect of the Pocket Air’s design is its cleverly hidden pull-out tray located beneath the device. The device also features a microSD card slot, crucial for storing extensive gaming libraries. Flip the retractable tray, and you’ll notice a petite cutout designed specifically to accommodate smaller cards. With its removable SIM card, the Pocket Air allows users to insert their preferred carrier and access gaming content anywhere, without relying on a stable Wi-Fi connection.

The MediaTek Dimensity 1200 processor is impressively efficient, handling even the most demanding tasks with ease. The system houses a diverse range of games from consoles like PS2, GameCube, as well as select titles from the Nintendo Wii’s Virtual Console, especially when opting for more advanced models equipped with increased RAM storage capabilities.

While it may not be expected to rival Tears of the Kingdom in demanding games, the Dimensity 1200 processor still excels at handling more casual titles with ease. Considering the massive fan cutout and advanced cooling system, I never once felt the Pocket Air become excessively hot during use.

The idea of emulating Swap games on the Pocket Air is definitely viable? While it’s accurate to say that, the Dimensity 1200 falls short of being a suitable choice for demanding games in the Swap ecosystem. The limitations imposed by MediaTek’s processor are further exacerbated by the scarcity of third-party driver assistance solutions.

While MediaTek processors offer a more affordable option compared to Qualcomm, the latter’s reputation for superior community support and ecosystem prevails. Despite being relatively “locked down”, MediaTek’s processor architecture presents a significant challenge in developing customized drivers to support their diverse range of chips.

It’s disheartening to witness such a disparity, especially considering that some MediaTek processors have been known to outshine their Qualcomm counterparts in raw processing power. Despite this, any inability to optimise capacity accurately will render such efficiencies irrelevant and unworthy of consideration in your decision-making process?

While it’s possible you won’t strive to fully exhaust the Pocket Air’s capabilities, there is still a decent chance you’ll refrain from testing its maximum potential. Despite this, it remains crucial to recall that understanding what’s possible is key.

Although the lack of a higher refresh rate may not deter enthusiasts seeking a nostalgic gaming experience, it’s still disheartening that the refresh fee is limited to a mere 60Hz. While the Pocket Air fell short in certain areas, it’s reasonable to expect a 90Hz refresh rate as the bare minimum, given the competitive landscape and Razer Edge’s impressive specs.

A notable shortcoming of the initial Pocket Air release was the inability to customise on-screen controls to seamlessly integrate with the built-in controller’s functionality. Fortunately, subsequent software updates have effectively resolved this issue. Although I have mixed feelings about the AyaSpace launcher and interface. Fortunately, a limited number of translation tools operate efficiently, including the ES-DE, Beacon, and Daijisho options.

The controls of the Pocket Air ultimately fell short of meeting my tactile preferences, with the D-Pad’s slight softness failing to provide the precise directional input I crave. At opposite poles, the Pocket Air and Pimax Portal occupy distinct extremes in their respective approaches to virtual reality experiences.

With a worn-out directional pad, I’ve encountered frustrating moments while playing classics like Apotheosis or older Tetris titles, where the pieces would shift by one or two slots from my intended positioning, disrupting the flow of gameplay. While this level isn’t overly challenging in its early stages, frustration can quickly set in as items begin to drop rapidly, with even a single misstep ending a run abruptly.

Ayaneo seems poised to disrupt the Android gaming handheld market, starting with its inaugural offering, the Pocket Air. Since its launch, the company has expanded its product line to include the innovative Pocket S, seamlessly complementing the. Despite being at a lower price point, Ayaneo’s toughest rivals stem from the AYN Odin 2 and Odin 2 Mini models within their category.

The Odin 2 and Odin 2 Mini boast impressive performance, thanks to their powerful innervation by the MediaTek Dimensity 8000, which significantly surpasses the capabilities of the Dimensity 1200. This enables better support for emulator drivers. The Odin 2 and Odin 2 Mini do not boast an OLED display, thereby granting the Pocket Air a distinct advantage with its OLED feature.

Additionally, there’s the Oculus Quest Pro, which debuted last year and is one of the few devices to harness the power of the Qualcomm Snapdragon G3x Gen 2 processor? Despite its compact size, the Pocket S presents a more premium aesthetic. With this new collection comes a more competitive price point, starting at $589 for our entry-level mannequin model.

• Are you on the hunt for an exceptional and ultra-efficient starting point for your Android gaming journey? 
• Consider upgrading to a high-tech device featuring an eye-catching OLED display that provides crisp visuals and vivid colors. 
• You don’t need to break out your wallet for a Steam Deck or Razer Rog Ally X.
• You’re looking for a ruggedized smartphone with advanced wireless capabilities and flexibility in terms of storage capacity? 

• You’re on a tight budget.
• Are you looking for a top-of-the-line Android gaming experience?

Ayaneo faced numerous complaints regarding the Pocket Air due to its exclusive OLED display being a rare feature among handhelds. One of the unique features of this handheld is its ability to accommodate a SIM card, making it an attractive option for those seeking mobile gaming on-the-go. In contrast, the Razer Edge is the only other device that offers this capability. Notwithstanding its evident popularity, the Edge’s eventual obsolescence appears increasingly likely, as purchasing options dwindle without a clear successor in sight.

For new entrants to the Android handheld market, the Pocket Air offers an excellent gateway, catering particularly to novices and those with limited interest in advanced emulation capabilities. This portable device provides a comfortable grip while offering extended battery performance. Even without being an AyaSpace enthusiast, you can still acquire a unique launcher.