Tag: AYN

  • AYN Thor and Odin 3 Drop UFS 4.0 for UFS 3.1 Storage Due to Rising Costs

    AYN Thor and Odin 3 Drop UFS 4.0 for UFS 3.1 Storage Due to Rising Costs

    Key Takeaway

    1. AYN has switched from UFS 4.0 to UFS 3.1 storage for the Thor and Odin 3 handhelds due to rising component costs and supply shortages.
    2. The storage downgrade affects all models except the Thor Lite, which already uses UFS 3.1.
    3. The change takes effect starting with the next pre-order batches for both devices, with shipping expected to begin in mid-June.

    Recently, AYN has made some significant changes concerning their handheld consoles. Not long ago, they increased the prices for their popular dual-screen Thor and their flagship Odin 3, citing rising component costs, and these changes had to be implemented sooner than expected, moving from April to March. Now, there’s more challenging news for consumers.

    Changes in Storage Options

    In a message shared on their Discord channel, AYN explained that the escalating costs for parts led to a reconsideration of their storage choices. The company revealed that shortages in supply chains coupled with huge price hikes made it unfeasible to keep using the latest UFS 4.0 storage in their devices. Because of that, they will now go with a more budget-friendly but slower storage standard UFS 3.1.

    Impact on Thor Devices

    For the Thor series with Snapdragon 8 Gen 2, this switch impacts models like the Thor Base with 8GB RAM and 128GB storage, Thor Pro with 12GB RAM and 265GB storage, and Thor Max with 16GB RAM and 512GB storage. The Thor Lite, which already features the Snapdragon 865 chip, uses UFS 3.1 storage and remains unchanged.

    Odin 3 Storage Switch

    The Odin 3 lineup, powered by Qualcomm’s Dragonwing Q8 chip, will also see changes, affecting all four models: the Base with 8GB RAM and 128GB storage, the Pro with 12GB RAM and 256GB storage, the Max with 16GB RAM and 512GB storage, and the Ultra with 24GB RAM and 1TB storage. The transition to UFS 3.1 applies across these variants.

    Pre-Order and Shipping Details

    This shift begins from the upcoming batches of pre-orders: the Thor will start with Batch 6 and the Odin 3 with Batch 7. AYN did not specify the exact date for pre-order entries but confirmed that it will be soon. According to their website, the shipment for Batch 6 pre-orders of the Thor and Batch 7 pre-orders of Odin 3 are scheduled to commence in mid-June.

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  • Retroid Increases Pocket 6 Price, Discontinues 12GB RAM Model

    Retroid Increases Pocket 6 Price, Discontinues 12GB RAM Model

    Key Takeaways

    1. Retroid announced a price increase for the Pocket 6 handheld device due to rising costs and shortages of RAM and storage.
    2. The entry-level Pocket 6 will see a $15 price increase, bringing its new price to $244 starting March 2.
    3. Retroid will discontinue the 12GB RAM model of the Pocket 6, citing new supplier costs as the reason.
    4. The 12GB RAM version is currently out of stock, but Retroid will honor all outstanding orders at the original price of $279.
    5. Other models, like the Pocket G2 and Pocket 5, remain at their current prices, but potential future price changes are expected.

    Right after AYN revealed their plans to raise prices for the Thor and Odin 3 handheld devices, Retroid followed suit with a similar announcement for its latest model, the Pocket 6. Along with the price hike, they will also stop producing one of their versions.

    Price Increase Announced

    Today, Retroid shared the news of the price increase via their social media platforms. Like AYN, they pointed to the rising costs and shortage of RAM and storage as the main reasons behind the price adjustment.

    Starting on Monday, March 2, the entry-level Retroid Pocket 6, which comes with 8GB of RAM and 128GB of storage, will see its price rise by $15, bringing the total to $244, up from $229.

    Discontinuation of the 12GB Model

    Sadly, Retroid has decided not to raise the cost of the 12GB RAM version but will instead be discontinuing it. The company explained that due to the new supplier costs, they can’t keep that version available at a reasonable price. They also mentioned that absorbing the price increase is not feasible.

    The 12GB RAM model, which has 256GB of storage, is currently priced at $279. At this time, it is listed as “out of stock” on the Retroid website, so customers can’t place new orders before it’s discontinued. Nevertheless, Retroid assured that they will still honor all outstanding orders for the 12GB RAM model at the original price.

    Other Models Remain Stable

    Interestingly, both the Pocket G2 and the older Pocket 5, which is available on Amazon for $249, will not be affected by these changes. However, it is only a question of time before their prices also get revised.

    Retroid (via Discord)

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  • AYN Thor and Odin: New Pricing Announced for March 2024

    AYN Thor and Odin: New Pricing Announced for March 2024

    Key Takeaways

    1. AYN has moved the price increase for the Thor and Odin 3 from April to March 8, 2026, due to supplier cost hikes.
    2. The increase is driven by rising DRAM and storage component prices, along with exchange rate fluctuations.
    3. The Thor Lite will not see a price increase, while the Base model will increase by $10, and the Pro and Max versions by $30 and $40, respectively.
    4. The Odin 3’s Base model will have a $10 increase, with Pro and Max models rising by $40 each.
    5. Existing orders will be honored at the original price, and new pre-orders will start on March 1, 2026.

    Just a few days after revealing plans to hike the price of its dual-screen handheld, Thor, in April, AYN has now changed its mind and will implement the increase in March instead. The new pricing details for both the Thor and the Odin 3 were also shared in this announcement.

    Reason for the Price Change

    AYN used its Discord channel to share the reason for this change of plans. The company revealed that the supplier of the DRAM and storage components for the Thor and Odin 3 has informed them that the price hike for these parts will take effect this February. Moreover, the issue with memory pricing is anticipated to last until the next year.

    Furthermore, AYN mentioned that they face challenges with fluctuations in exchange rates and increased costs for materials. The mix of these issues has forced AYN to move the price increase date forward. Instead of the initially planned April 2026, the new prices for the AYN Thor and AYN Odin 3 will now be effective on March 8, 2026.

    Pricing Details

    Here are the launch prices, current prices, and the upcoming new prices that will be applied on March 8.

    As noted, AYN is not increasing the price of the Thor Lite, which will stay at its launch price of $249. However, the Base model will see a $10 increase, and the Pro and Max versions will go up by $30 and $40, respectively.

    In contrast, the Odin 3 is experiencing its very first price hike. The base model will see a $10 increase, while the Pro and Max models will both increase by $40. AYN also mentioned that the Ultra model, equipped with 24GB of RAM and 1TB of UFS 4.0 storage, is currently ”out of stock”. It’s unclear whether this means it won’t be produced anymore.

    Pre-Order Information

    All existing orders will be processed at the original price. If you haven’t placed your order yet, the next round of pre-orders will start tomorrow, March 1.

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  • AYN Thor Price Increase Alert: New Costs Coming Soon

    AYN Thor Price Increase Alert: New Costs Coming Soon

    Key Takeaways

    1. AYN’s dual-screen handheld, the Thor, is facing another price hike due to rising memory costs.
    2. The price increase is expected in April 2026, although the exact date and amount are unspecified.
    3. Component cost increases are driven by high demand from AI companies, affecting retail prices.
    4. The Thor has four versions: Lite ($249), Base ($309), Pro ($369), and Max ($450), with varying price hikes.
    5. No price changes were announced for the Odin 3, which did not face a hike in January.

    Fresh from the Chinese New Year break, AYN brings some not-so-great news regarding their dual-screen handheld, the Thor. Launched in August 2025, this Android gaming device started shipping its initial orders to customers in October that same year.

    Price Hikes On The Horizon

    When AYN announced that they would begin taking new orders in January 2026, they also mentioned that the Thor’s price would rise due to increasing memory costs affecting the tech market. Now, AYN is warning of another impending price hike.

    According to a post on Discord, AYN shared that their DRAM and storage supplier indicated that memory prices continue to climb, largely due to strong demand from AI companies. Consequently, the costs for the components used in the AYN Thor will also go up.

    Impact On Consumers

    Sadly, this rise in component costs will be passed on to consumers, leading to a higher retail price for the Thor.

    AYN indicated that this price increase is anticipated to occur in April, though a specific date was not provided. They also refrained from stating the exact amount of the price hike, noting it will depend on how much the component costs increase.

    Variant Pricing Information

    To recap, the AYN Thor comes in four different versions — Lite, Base, Pro, and Max. The Thor Lite is listed at $249 and didn’t experience a price hike in January. However, the Thor Base rose from $299 to $309, while the Thor Pro’s price increased from $349 to $369. Meanwhile, the Thor Max saw its price jump from $430 to $450.

    AYN did not mention any price change for the Odin 3, which also did not face a price adjustment in January.

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  • AYN Discontinues Odin 2, Now $249 for a Limited Time

    AYN Discontinues Odin 2, Now $249 for a Limited Time

    Key Takeaways

    1. AYN has discontinued the Odin 2 handheld device, which was released in late 2023, and it has been succeeded by the Odin 3.
    2. The Odin 2 is no longer available for purchase on the AYN website, though it still appears on the homepage, leading to a 404 error when clicked.
    3. There is no confirmation from AYN regarding the future of software updates for the discontinued Odin 2.
    4. AYN announced a limited-time sale on the Odin 2 Portal, which is available with significant discounts until February 25.
    5. The Odin 2 Portal offers competitive pricing and specs, including a Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 processor and various RAM/storage options, making it comparable to the Retroid Pocket 6.

    AYN has shared that its well-liked handheld device, the Odin 2, has come to the end of its life cycle and has been discontinued. This device, which made its debut in the latter part of 2023, was succeeded last year by the Odin 3.

    Availability Issues

    An official announcement on their Discord channel confirmed that the Odin 2 is no longer up for sale on the AYN website. At the moment, the device can still be seen on the homepage, but clicking on it leads to a 404 error page.

    There’s been no word from AYN on whether the discontinuation of the Odin 2 means it will stop receiving software updates.

    Specs of the Odin 2

    The AYN Odin 2 was launched in 2023, featuring a 6-inch 1080p LCD display, and powered by a Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 processor, similar to the new Retroid Pocket 6. It offered up to 16GB of RAM and up to 512GB of expandable storage, along with an 8,000mAh battery.

    Alongside the discontinuation of the Odin 2, AYN announced a limited-time sale on the Odin 2 Portal, which was released in 2024. The sale has already started and will continue until February 25 on the AYN website.

    Pricing Details

    During this sale, the Odin 2 Portal Base with 8GB RAM and 128GB of storage is priced at $329 but will be available for $249. The Odin 2 Portal Pro, which comes with 12GB RAM and 256GB of storage, will be sold for $369 instead of the regular price of $399. Furthermore, the Max model with 16GB RAM and 512GB of storage will see a $50 price drop, bringing it down to $449.

    The discounts on the Odin 2 Portal make it a competitor to the Retroid Pocket 6, which starts at $229 for the base version with 8GB RAM and 128GB storage. While both devices are powered by the same Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 processor, the Odin 2 Portal features a larger 7-inch 120Hz AMOLED display and an 8,000mAh battery, in contrast to the Pocket 6’s smaller 5.5-inch 120Hz AMOLED display and a 6,000mAh battery.

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  • AYN Launches Odin 3 in 3 Colors + Community Choice for 4th Color

    AYN Launches Odin 3 in 3 Colors + Community Choice for 4th Color

    Key Takeaways

    1. AYN’s new Odin 3 handheld will be available in four colors: Black, White, Rainbow, and a community-chosen color.
    2. The Rainbow option features an off-white design with gray thumbsticks and colorful ABXY buttons.
    3. The community is voting for the fourth color, with options of Clear Blue and Clear Purple, currently leaning towards Clear Purple.
    4. The Odin 3 boasts a 6-inch 120Hz FHD AMOLED display, Snapdragon 8 Elite processor, and a strong 8,000mAh battery.
    5. Pricing details are not yet available, but it may be higher than the Konkr Pocket Fit Elite, which is expected to start below $399.

    AYN has recently disclosed some color choices for their new Odin 3 handheld, following their earlier announcements about its design and processor specifics. The handheld will come in four vibrant colors, with one color determined by the official AYN community.

    Color Variants of Odin 3

    So far, AYN has shown off the handheld in a sleek Black color. Besides this, it will also be offered in a crisp White that has matching buttons. The third option, named Rainbow, features an off-white shade combined with gray thumbsticks and D-pad, along with colorful ABXY buttons in red, yellow, green, and blue.

    Community Choice for Fourth Color

    For the fourth color, AYN is letting the community decide through a poll on their official forums (Discord and QQ). The options are either Clear Blue or Clear Purple, both showcasing a see-through design. Currently, 51% of the voters on Discord have selected Clear Purple, while 49% prefer Clear Blue. The voting will last for 24 hours, and the final color decision will be announced tomorrow, September 3.

    Specifications Recap

    To summarize, the Odin 3 features a 6-inch 120Hz FHD AMOLED display, powered by a Snapdragon 8 Elite processor and a robust 8,000mAh battery. This Android-based handheld is equipped with asymmetrical thumbsticks that have RGB lighting, dual back buttons, front-facing speakers, an audio jack, a MicroSD card slot, and a USB-C port. Its dimensions are reported as 224.8 x 87.5 x 16.6 mm, and it weighs approximately 390 grams.

    There’s currently no pricing information available, but it’s yet to be revealed if it will be more affordable than the Konkr Pocket Fit Elite, which is expected to start below $399 and is rumored to run on the same Snapdragon 8 Elite chip. Unlike the Konkr Fit Elite, which boasts a 144Hz 1080p LCD, the Odin 3’s 120Hz 1080p OLED display might drive the price higher.

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  • AYN Unveils New Thor Handheld, Confirms Long-Awaited Odin3

    AYN Unveils New Thor Handheld, Confirms Long-Awaited Odin3

    Key Takeaways

    1. Ayaneo has launched the Pocket DS, featuring the Qualcomm Snapdragon processor found in its other devices.
    2. AYN Technologies has returned with announcements after a quiet period, including plans for the Odin3 and a new device named Thor.
    3. The Odin2 Portal, AYN’s last device, has a 7-inch 120 Hz OLED display and is powered by the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chipset.
    4. Both the Odin3 and Thor are set to be launched simultaneously, but details are currently limited.
    5. The Thor is suggested to be a smaller version of the Odin3, and more information about these devices is expected to be revealed soon.

    Anbernic and Ayaneo have recently overwhelmed the Android gaming handheld scene with a bunch of new devices. Just yesterday, Ayaneo unveiled the Pocket DS, which carries the same Qualcomm Snapdragon processor that powers its other latest Android products, such as the Pocket EVO. Meanwhile, AYN Technologies, known simply as AYN, has made a comeback after being quiet for a while.

    AYN’s Recent Launches

    To give a bit of background, AYN’s last device was launched back in October 2024, when they introduced the Odin2 Portal. This device features a 7-inch screen with a 120 Hz refresh rate and a 1080p OLED display, also equipped with the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chipset that is common across the entire Odin2 gaming handheld lineup. Now, the company has announced that it is working on a new version of the well-received Odin2, which currently retails for $379 on Amazon and is nearing its two-year mark.

    New Developments Ahead

    The teaser image shared below indicates that AYN is not just focusing on the Odin 3 or Odin3. Furthermore, they have disclosed the existence of the AYN Thor. According to today’s announcement, it seems that AYN intends to launch both the Odin3 and Thor at the same time.

    At this moment, there is very little information available about these two devices, except for the fact that they won’t utilize x86 architecture. Some members on AYN’s Discord have suggested that the Thor could serve as a smaller counterpart to the Odin3, which makes sense considering Thor is known as Odin’s son. It is expected that AYN will begin revealing more information about both products later in the month.

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    AYN Unveils New Thor Handheld, Confirms Long-Awaited Odin3

     

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