Tag: Android Handheld

  • Ayaneo Pocket Micro 2 Handheld Announced & Coming Soon

    Ayaneo Pocket Micro 2 Handheld Announced & Coming Soon

    Key Takeaway

    – Ayaneo has confirmed the Pocket Micro 2, a successor to the Pocket Micro, with a more powerful processor than the Helio G99.
    – The Pocket Micro 2 will likely feature a premium aluminum shell and glass front, similar to the original Pocket Micro.
    – A separate device, the Ayaneo Bitwave (polycarbonate, no thumbsticks), is speculated to be a more affordable version, possibly under the Konkr sub-brand.
    – Ayaneo is expected to hold a live sharing session to reveal both the Pocket Micro 2 and the Bitwave.
    – Another upcoming device, the Konkr Pocket Block (vertical handheld), was unveiled in May but lacks revealed specs, price, or availability.


    It has been over two years since Ayaneo released the Pocket Micro, an Android-based handheld reminiscent of the Game Boy Micro. In 2025, Ayaneo released a more affordable version called the Pocket Micro Classic whose major difference from the Pocket Micro is its lack of thumbsticks. Now, it has confirmed a true successor, called the Pocket Micro 2, is coming.

    Processor and performance hints from social media

    The announcement, which was made across its social media channels, doesn’t include any images of the horizontal handheld, but hints at the Pocket Micro 2 packing a more powerful processor than the Helio G99 inside the Pocket Micro (available on Amazon for $239.99) and Pocket Micro Classic. If we could take a guess, we’d say it is probably the Snapdragon G2 Gen 2 like the one in the discontinued Retroid Pocket G2.

    Speculation around the Ayaneo Bitwave and materials

    Last month, a horizontal handheld called the Ayaneo Bitwave appeared online. Sporting a polycarbonate case and lacking thumbsticks, the Bitwave is speculated to be a more affordable version of the Pocket Micro Classic. Although Ayaneo is yet to officially announce the device, it most likely isn’t the Pocket Micro 2 since the original Pocket Micro has an aluminum shell and a glass front, and these materials are expected to be used for the successor.

    Upcoming live sharing session and possible Konkr branding

    We expect Ayaneo to announce a live sharing session soon where it will reveal the Pocket Micro 2 as well as the device currently known as the Ayaneo Bitwave. There’s a chance that the latter might actually be a more affordable version of the Pocket Micro 2, maybe even launching under the Konkr sub-brand. Anyway, time will tell if our guess is right.

    • The Pocket Micro 2 is confirmed as a true successor.
    • Processor could be Snapdragon G2 Gen 2.
    • Bitwave might be a cheaper version of the Classic or Micro 2.

    The Konkr Pocket Block and future devices

    In addition to the Pocket Micro 2, there’s also the Konkr Pocket Block to look forward to. The vertical handheld was unveiled in May, but Ayaneo is tight-lipped on its specs, price, and availability.

    Sources
  • New Ayaneo Vertical Handheld Surfaces: Cheaper than the Pocket Vert

    New Ayaneo Vertical Handheld Surfaces: Cheaper than the Pocket Vert

    Key Takeaway

    – Ark: A new Ayaneo handheld, the Pocket Block (also called Bitwave in renders), is emerging with a compact vertical form factor and a plastic shell.
    – Design cues suggest a cheaper Pocket Vert alternative, featuring marked ABXY buttons, a large D-Pad, three bottom pill buttons, and a likely Android OS with an overview/options button.
    – Hardware layout includes right-side power and volume, left-side two customizable buttons plus microSD, bottom-mounted speakers, USB-C, and a headphone jack; heat dissipation grille behind the display.

    Ayaneo hasn’t announced a new handheld in months, and that shouldn’t be surprising considering it is yet to begin shipping the Konkr Fit Windows handheld that was unveiled in January. However, that doesn’t mean it hasn’t been working on new products, as a report has revealed details of a new vertical handheld called the Ayaneo Pocket Block.

    Unconfirmed design details emerge for Ayaneo Pocket Block

    First reported by RetroDeadFred, evidence of the handheld was discovered on manuals.plus. The manual provides several images of the handheld, but for the real deal, RetroDeadFred was able to find renders of the handheld from another source, although the images show the handheld is called Bitwave and not Pocket Block. There’s a chance “Bitwave” is a codename, since Ayaneo handhelds that actually fit into the pocket have “Pocket” in their names.

    Cheaper feels, plastic shell and visible display glass

    With respect to the design, the Ayaneo Pocket Block seems like a cheaper alternative to the Pocket Vert. Its shell is made of plastic, and so are the buttons; and the only place that has glass is the display. Below the display is a triple-slit grille, which the manual says houses a microphone. Next to the microphone is the AYA button (AYAWindow interaction button) and on the far right is a power indicator LED.

    Controls hint at a familiar layout with a twist

    Unlike the Pocket Vert whose action buttons are not marked, the ABXY buttons are marked on the Pocket Block. There’s even a pill-shaped outline around the buttons that is reminiscent of the SNES controller. The D-Pad looks fairly large, and below it are three large pill-shaped buttons. Two of the buttons are Start and Select, while the third button is simply labelled as “=”. If we could take a guess, it would be that this is probably an overview button or options button considering the device runs Android.

    Front and side button placement described

    The Pocket Block has its power button and volume rocker on the right side while the left is home to two customizable buttons and the microSD card slot. The back of the handheld directly behind the display has a grille for heat dissipation. The shoulder buttons are placed where your fingers would naturally rest when holding the handheld. The images also show that the Ayaneo Pocket Block has its speakers at the bottom, and they flank the USB-C port and headphone jack.

    What we know about specs and timing

    There are no technical specifications of the Pocket Block yet, but it is only a matter of time before that surfaces.

    • No official specs released yet
    • Renders suggest a pocket-friendly vertical form
    • Android likely, given the overview button hypothesis

    RetroDeadFred on X

    Sources
  • OnePlus Developing FPS Gaming Handheld Device for Gamers

    OnePlus Developing FPS Gaming Handheld Device for Gamers

    Key Takeaways

    1. OnePlus is reportedly developing a gaming handheld device that operates on Android, aimed at standing out from regular Android devices.
    2. The device is expected to be tailored for first-person shooter games, featuring multi-finger touch capabilities and a high refresh rate display.
    3. Design insights suggest a unique control layout with recessed joysticks, sizable buttons, bumpers, and potential triggers.
    4. The ergonomics of the device may resemble the ROG Ally X but with more comfortable grips.
    5. The launch of this handheld device is uncertain, as it is based on unofficial mock-ups and leaks from Digital Chat Station and the OnePlus Club.


    With the rise of gaming handhelds, a smartphone brand is said to be developing a handheld device that operates on Android. Reports suggest that OnePlus is preparing to launch a gaming handheld that will stand out from regular Android devices, particularly in the control layout. While specifics are scarce, early insights from a reliable source provide some details about this upcoming gadget.

    Source of Information

    The details come from Digital Chat Station on Weibo. This leaker has indicated that a smartphone company is indeed creating an “Android handheld console.” Although the post does not specify which company, many fans and industry insiders believe it to be OnePlus. This device is said to be tailored for first-person shooter games like Delta Force and PUBG Mobile. As an Android device, it’s expected to have multi-finger touch capabilities along with a display that boasts a high refresh rate. Reports also mention flagship-level performance.

    Design Insights

    That’s pretty much all the info shared by Digital Chat Station. However, the OnePlus Club account on X has posted an image that imagines what the OnePlus handheld may look like, based on the leaks. The design does not display the usual button layout; instead, it appears to have recessed joysticks and two sizable buttons underneath. The photo also hints at the presence of bumpers, and it’s reasonable to think that triggers will be included on this device.

    Ergonomics and Anticipation

    Regarding ergonomics, it seems to resemble the ROG Ally X design but comes with slightly more comfortable grips. Of course, this is just an unofficial mock-up of the speculated device, making it difficult to predict what the final product will actually be like, should it ever launch. Meanwhile, OnePlus is set to introduce its compact powerhouse, the OnePlus 15T, shortly, showcasing its ability to pack a significant amount of performance into a smaller design.

    Source:
    Link


     

  • Retroid Pocket 6 Gameplay: Batman Arkham Asylum at 60fps

    Retroid Pocket 6 Gameplay: Batman Arkham Asylum at 60fps

    Key Takeaways

    1. Emulation Capability: The Retroid Pocket 6 can effectively emulate PC games, similar to its predecessor, the Retroid Pocket 5, using apps like GameHub and Winlator.

    2. Stable Gameplay: The device runs games like Batman: Arkham Asylum at a steady frame rate of 60fps and 720p resolution, thanks to its 8GB of RAM.

    3. Versatile Gaming Performance: The handheld can emulate popular Nintendo Wii U titles, though it may struggle with some games like Breath of the Wild, which can run at 30fps.

    4. Advanced Specifications: Key features include a 5.5-inch AMOLED screen at 120Hz, Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 processor, and options for 8GB or 12GB of RAM with expandable storage.

    5. Pre-Order Details: Pre-orders are available starting at $229 for the basic model, with shipping expected in March, offering various color options and D-Pad placements.


    After showcasing a video that features the Retroid Pocket 6 with the Retroid Dual Screen Add-on, YouTuber Chris Covers, affiliated with Retroid, has put out another video highlighting the new Android handheld, this time demonstrating its ability to play a PC game.

    Emulating PC Games

    The capacity to emulate PC games is an important aspect for many consumers when selecting an Android handheld, thanks to applications like GameHub and Winlator. The previous model, Retroid Pocket 5, which is currently priced at $213 on Amazon, was quite effective in this regard, so it’s not surprising that its newer version can perform similarly.

    Gameplay Experience

    In the latest video, the Retroid Pocket 6 is seen emulating the 2009 action title Batman: Arkham Asylum. Throughout the gameplay, the Retroid Pocket 6 appears to keep a steady frame rate of 60fps. Chris mentions in the comments that the game is running at 720p resolution and that this variant of the handheld is equipped with 8GB of RAM.

    Other Gaming Capabilities

    Besides the PC gaming content, Chris Covers has also posted several additional videos showcasing the handheld’s capabilities in emulating Nintendo Wii U titles like The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, Mario Kart 8, and Mario 3D World. While the video featuring Breath of the Wild indicates the handheld struggles a bit, Chris later clarified in the comments that he managed to get it to run at a steady 30fps. However, the other games are demonstrated to run smoothly in their individual videos.

    Device Specifications

    The Retroid Pocket 6 is an Android-based gaming handheld boasting a 5.5-inch AMOLED screen with a refresh rate of 120Hz. It is powered by the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 processor and comes with options of either 8GB or 12GB of RAM. Storage options include 128GB or 256GB, with the possibility for expansion using a MicroSD card slot.

    Connectivity and Battery

    This device also supports Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 5.3, equipped with a 6,000mAh battery that can fast charge at 27W. Additionally, it features an audio jack and a USB-C port that supports DisplayPort (4K at 60Hz).

    Pre-Order Information

    Retroid is now taking pre-orders for the second batch ahead of the anticipated shipping in March. The starting price is $229 for the basic model with 8GB of RAM and 128GB storage, while the version with 12GB RAM and 256GB storage is available for $279. Buyers can choose from five different colors and decide whether they want the D-Pad positioned at the top or bottom.

    Source:
    Link