THE portable consoles from the AYANEO brand have an undeniable charm. Two retro models will soon complete the range.
Compactness, autonomy and power are the strengths of many portable consoles, but apart from the second version of the Steam Deck (OLED), these machines remain focused on IPS screens.
There were of course a few other exceptions, but AYANEO seems to want to place more emphasis on the quality of the panel with a new console that smells like the Game Boy. A more classic model is also announced.
Pocket DMG: the Game Boy format returns
These two new machines were presented during a small, even larger event by the Chinese firm. AYANEO has therefore opened hostilities with the Pocket DMG, a machine which brings up to date the Game Boy format used, for example, on the GPi Case and GPi Case 2.
Oddly, if AYANEO insists on the compactness of its console, it does not give the precise dimensions of the machine. On the other hand, we know that the screen has a diagonal of 3.92 inches for a definition of 1240 x 1080 and that it integrates an OLED panel for exceptional image quality.
We also know that the machine has the inevitable directional cross as well as a mini-stick and a touch zone for a wide variety of controls. Two triggers are cleverly integrated into the back of the machine and the overall design looks very pleasing.
AYANEO specifies that it is the Snapdragon G3x Gen 2 SoC signed Qualcomm which is used to animate the beast which will obviously raise the question of the software, but there too, no precision from AYANEO which is content to present the console, without release date or price.
Pocket Micro: a beautiful panel, but IPS
Following the announcement of the Pocket DMG, AYANEO presented a second Nintendo-inspired retro portable console, the Pocket Micro. This time, it is logically a question of reminding fans of the design of the Game Boy Advance or, even more, of the Game Boy Micro.
The Pocket Micro seems very compact, but not yet as compact as the Game Boy Micro – which was perhaps too compact – and AYANEO has not yet communicated on the dimensions of its machine anyway. In fact, the brand prefers to focus on the screen.
If AYANEO speaks of a slab “ of high quality ” And ” true color », it is not a question of OLED, but of IPS. The screen has a diagonal of 3.5 inches, much more than the 2 inches of the Game Boy Micro and the definition is much higher too: 960 x 640 compared to 240 x 160.
Unlike the Pocket DMG, no touch control area, but two mini-sticks are instead integrated into a machine of which we know nothing about the power: AYANEO does not mention the on-board chip, nor the release date, nor the introductory price. Still a lot of unknowns, therefore.
Read the test
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- Beautiful object, beautiful finishes
- Quality 7″ Full HD screen
- Top performance
If portable consoles inspired by the PC world were imagined well before the release of the Steam Deck, there is no doubt that Valve’s machine gave a good kick in the anthill. Still very active, Chinese manufacturers like AYANEO or GPD then increased their announcements, taking advantage of the light provided by the Steam Deck.
A light that gives pretty colors to the AYANEO 2S and not just because it features a sparkling B.Duck as a mascot! This machine has everything of a Steam Deck on steroids: the format is very similar, the ergonomics too, but at all levels, AYANEO has decided to offer us more. More power and more options, more features via USB4 and more openness with the M.2 2280. Finally, “more” finishing with this beautiful borderless screen and these Hall effect sticks.
Unfortunately, while Valve is already forced to charge €680 for its 512 GB Steam Deck, AYANEO is even more expensive. Excluding customs fees, you need to count on at least €850 on Indiegogo for another week. Then, prices will range from 1,000 euros to almost 1,800 €. At Clubic, the addition seems justified to us, but the real question is whether there is an audience for small machines at this price level? Valve doesn’t seem to believe it.
If portable consoles inspired by the PC world were imagined well before the release of the Steam Deck, there is no doubt that Valve’s machine gave a good kick in the anthill. Still very active, Chinese manufacturers like AYANEO or GPD then increased their announcements, taking advantage of the light provided by the Steam Deck.
A light that gives pretty colors to the AYANEO 2S and not just because it features a sparkling B.Duck as a mascot! This machine has everything of a Steam Deck on steroids: the format is very similar, the ergonomics too, but at all levels, AYANEO has decided to offer us more. More power and more options, more features via USB4 and more openness with the M.2 2280. Finally, “more” finishing with this beautiful borderless screen and these Hall effect sticks.
Unfortunately, while Valve is already forced to charge €680 for its 512 GB Steam Deck, AYANEO is even more expensive. Excluding customs fees, you need to count on at least €850 on Indiegogo for another week. Then, prices will range from 1,000 euros to almost 1,800 €. At Clubic, the addition seems justified to us, but the real question is whether there is an audience for small machines at this price level? Valve doesn’t seem to believe it.
Source : AYANEO
Having fallen into video games at a time when it took a great imagination to see here a football match, there a tank fight in these few bars represented on the screen, I have followed all the developments for forty years. Loyal to the PC, but a fan of all genres, I only have trouble with JRPGs. Otherwise, from the driest turn-based strategy to the most spectacular FPS, including sports simulations or musical games, I can do it all... with a preference for management and games combining several styles. My video game pantheon would consist of three series: Elite, Civilization and Max Payne.
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