Antec has stepped into the realm of gaming handhelds with the release of the Core HS, which is essentially a rebranded version of the Ayaneo Slide. Following this, the company has now unveiled the Core Micro, which also serves as a rebranding of another Ayaneo product. More precisely, it's the Pocket Micro but under a new moniker.
Similarities to Previous Models
Just like the Core HS, there are no changes to the specifications of the Core Micro apart from its name. This means that Antec's latest device carries the same specifications as Ayaneo's Pocket Micro, which is primarily designed for emulation on Android rather than competing with devices such as the Asus ROG Ally or Legion Go.
Performance Specs
Inside, this Android gaming handheld is powered by the MediaTek Helio G99, placing it in the same performance category as other devices like the KT-R1. As stated by Ayaneo, this SoC supports up to PS2 emulation, and with the inclusion of an active cooling fan, the G99 is said to maintain stable performance even when put under significant stress.
Storage and Battery
The MediaTek SoC comes with 8 GB of RAM and 256 GB of built-in storage; however, the Antec Core Micro includes an SD card slot that allows for further storage expansion. Its internals are powered by a 2,600 mAh battery, which is claimed to provide about 6 hours of gameplay (there's also a 24,000 mAh Anker 737 power bank available for $106.48 on Amazon). Regarding the display, the handheld features a 3.5-inch IPS screen with a resolution of 960 x 640 pixels, a 3:2 aspect ratio, and covers 100% of the sRGB color gamut.
Additional Features
Other notable features of this gaming handheld include WiFi 5, Android 13, Hall effect joysticks, and a body made from CNC aluminum. Antec has not yet released any pricing information, but the Ayaneo Pocket Micro, which includes 8 GB of RAM and 256 GB storage, is priced at $249.
