Ayaneo Pocket S Review: A Premium Android Gaming Experience
After a lengthy wait, the Ayaneo Pocket S has finally launched, positioning itself as a leader in the premium Android gaming sector. Although it was announced in December 2023, consumers had to wait until April 2024 to purchase it, with shipping beginning in June. As of September 2024, the Pocket S is available directly from Ayaneo, and it remains one of the most powerful handheld gaming devices on the market.
Design and Build Quality
The Pocket S boasts a striking industrial design, utilizing a combination of aluminum, glass, and a bit of plastic. This construction not only gives the device a premium feel but also ensures durability during intense gaming sessions. The borderless 6-inch display, available in either 1080p or 1440p, is particularly impressive, with my model featuring the latter resolution that delivers stunning visuals.
Ayaneo has packed the Pocket S with features. It includes a microSD card slot, a power button that doubles as a fingerprint scanner, and a dedicated switch for performance modes.
Performance
Under the hood, the Pocket S is powered by the Snapdragon G3x Gen 2, paired with 16GB of RAM and 512GB of storage in my configuration. This processor is an overclocked version of the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2, which enhances its performance capabilities. The Pocket S excels at emulating demanding games, comfortably running titles up to Switch-level and even handling some Windows emulation through Winlator. However, users might need to adjust settings or experiment with different drivers for optimal performance.
In terms of native gaming, the Pocket S performs well, although there were initial issues with games like COD: Warzone Mobile, which experienced frame drops and poor image quality. Thankfully, these problems appear to have been resolved through updates.
Control Mapping and Comfort
One of the standout features of the Pocket S is its “No Feeling” button mapping, which allows users to easily map touchscreen controls to physical buttons. This is particularly useful for games that do not natively support controller inputs.
However, despite its premium design, the ergonomics leave something to be desired. The flat edges and lack of curves can lead to discomfort during extended play sessions. Ayaneo offers an Ergonomic Case, designed to enhance grip and comfort, but it’s not available directly from their website, which limits accessibility.
Price and Competition
With a starting price of $509 for the base model (12GB RAM, 128GB storage), the Pocket S is not cheap. In fact, for just $40 more, consumers could opt for a more powerful Steam Deck OLED or ROG Ally, both of which offer optimized performance and superior displays. The price increases significantly for the Pocket S when upgrading storage and RAM, making it less competitive compared to alternatives in the market.
Additionally, Ayaneo has plans to release the Pocket EVO later this year, which aims to address some of the Pocket S’s shortcomings, such as offering an OLED display and enhanced ergonomics. Meanwhile, AYN has also announced the Odin 2 Portal, featuring a 7-inch OLED display and competitive pricing.
Conclusion
You should consider the Ayaneo Pocket S if:
- You’re looking for the most powerful Android gaming handheld available.
- You appreciate a premium design.
- You need a device capable of handling a wide range of gaming needs.
- You want a handheld that allows easy remapping of controls.
However, it may not be for you if:
- You’re on a budget.
- You prefer using a controller with your phone.
- You’re only interested in cloud gaming services.
- You desire an OLED display or faster refresh rates.
While I have some concerns regarding the Ayaneo Pocket S, it still delivers a fantastic gaming experience. If it weren’t for the upcoming Pocket EVO and Odin 2 Portal, I would confidently recommend the Pocket S. It’s a powerful, sleek device that continually benefits from software updates, despite its launcher needing improvement. If you’re eager to dive into a dedicated gaming experience and can stomach the price, the Pocket S is certainly worth considering.
