AYANEO, a prominent player in the handheld gaming market, has unveiled the Pocket S Mini, a compact device powered by the Snapdragon G3x Gen 2 chipset.
For the first time, the Chinese manufacturer is offering its latest handheld for direct purchase, bypassing its traditional crowdfunding launch model.
The AYANEO Pocket S Mini is available now at an introductory price of $319, further solidifying the company's position as a key competitor in the expanding handheld gaming ecosystem. Historically, AYANEO has followed a well-established formula for hardware releases: an initial teaser, a formal announcement, and then a crowdfunding campaign.
This approach has been a defining characteristic of the company's strategy, with many of its previous devices seeing strong backing on platforms like Indiegogo.
However, in response to recent industry feedback and critiques, AYANEO has opted for a more streamlined launch for the Pocket S Mini, allowing customers to place orders immediately without waiting for a crowdfunding initiative—a notable shift from the company’s past operations. The Pocket S Mini stands out with its premium design, reminiscent of the original Pocket S, while implementing a user-friendly 4:3 aspect ratio that is ideal for both retro and modern titles.
The entry-level model is equipped with 8GB of RAM and 128GB of storage, priced at $319.
Customers seeking enhanced performance can opt for the 12GB RAM/256GB storage variant at $399, or the top-tier 16GB RAM/512GB storage model for $479.
AYANEO has confirmed that these introductory prices are valid only until the end of January, after which each configuration will see an $80 price increase. In a revised statement reflecting the company's new approach, AYANEO indicated that pre-orders are expected to ship within the next week—an unusually fast turnaround for the brand.
This expedited shipping provides an appealing proposition for gamers looking to experience handheld gaming outside of the established platforms like the Nintendo Switch and other PC-based handhelds. AYANEO’s willingness to break from tradition and respond to its community demonstrates the company’s adaptive strategy in an increasingly competitive landscape.
With the Pocket S Mini’s direct-to-consumer launch and competitive early-bird pricing, AYANEO is making a clear statement—flexibility and responsiveness are paving the way for its continued growth in the rapidly evolving handheld gaming market.
For the first time, the Chinese manufacturer is offering its latest handheld for direct purchase, bypassing its traditional crowdfunding launch model.
The AYANEO Pocket S Mini is available now at an introductory price of $319, further solidifying the company's position as a key competitor in the expanding handheld gaming ecosystem. Historically, AYANEO has followed a well-established formula for hardware releases: an initial teaser, a formal announcement, and then a crowdfunding campaign.
This approach has been a defining characteristic of the company's strategy, with many of its previous devices seeing strong backing on platforms like Indiegogo.
However, in response to recent industry feedback and critiques, AYANEO has opted for a more streamlined launch for the Pocket S Mini, allowing customers to place orders immediately without waiting for a crowdfunding initiative—a notable shift from the company’s past operations. The Pocket S Mini stands out with its premium design, reminiscent of the original Pocket S, while implementing a user-friendly 4:3 aspect ratio that is ideal for both retro and modern titles.
The entry-level model is equipped with 8GB of RAM and 128GB of storage, priced at $319.
Customers seeking enhanced performance can opt for the 12GB RAM/256GB storage variant at $399, or the top-tier 16GB RAM/512GB storage model for $479.
AYANEO has confirmed that these introductory prices are valid only until the end of January, after which each configuration will see an $80 price increase. In a revised statement reflecting the company's new approach, AYANEO indicated that pre-orders are expected to ship within the next week—an unusually fast turnaround for the brand.
This expedited shipping provides an appealing proposition for gamers looking to experience handheld gaming outside of the established platforms like the Nintendo Switch and other PC-based handhelds. AYANEO’s willingness to break from tradition and respond to its community demonstrates the company’s adaptive strategy in an increasingly competitive landscape.
With the Pocket S Mini’s direct-to-consumer launch and competitive early-bird pricing, AYANEO is making a clear statement—flexibility and responsiveness are paving the way for its continued growth in the rapidly evolving handheld gaming market.
