AYANEO Pocket S2 is an Android handheld game console with a faster processor, bigger battery, and improved controllers

Last year AYANEO launched the Pocket S handheld game console with a 6 inch display, Qualcomm Snapdragon G3X Gen 2 processor, and support for up to 16GB of RAM and 1TB of storage.

Now the company is back for round two: the AYANEO Pocket S2 is an upcoming handheld with a slightly bigger screen, Qualcomm's next-gen flagship processor for gaming handhelds, and other improvements.

AYANEO hasn't announced pricing or availability details yet, but it's important to keep in mind that by Android handheld standards, the Pocket S was a premium device that sold for $399 and up during crowdfunding. I'd expect the new model to be similarly priced… which will undoubtedly lead some folks to ask whether it makes more sense to just buy an entry-level Steam Deck.

That said, Android-based handhelds tend to be smaller and lighter than models with x86 chips, while offering longer battery life. So there's certainly a case to be made for this style of device.

In terms of improvements, the display has been updated from a 6 inch screen that was available in 1080p or 1440p resolutions to a 6.3 inch 1440p screen. The Hall-effect joysticks have been "upgraded" in some unspecified way. And AYANEO says the Pocket S2 has a "much larger" battery that's "the largest battery among Android handhelds of its size."

The biggest upgrade is most likely going to be the processor though, which Qualcomm says delivers up to 28 percent better graphics performance and 30 percent better CPU performance than the Snapdragon G3x Gen 2.

Here's how the AYANEO Pocket S stacks up against the original, based on what we know so far:

AYANEO Pocket S2 AYANEO Pocket S (1080p) AYANEO Pocket S (1440P) Display 6.3 inches2560 x 1440 pixelsIPS LCD466 ppi 6 inches1920 x 1080 pixelsIPS LCD368 ppi400 nits 6 inches2560 x 1440 pixelsIPS LCD490 ppi400 nits Processor Qualcomm Snapdragon G3 Gen 3)8 CPU cores (1 x Prime, 5 x Performance, 2 x Efficiency)Adreno A32 graphics Qualcomm Snapdragon G3x Gen 28 CPU cores (1 x Kryo Prime Ultra, 4 x Ultra Kryo Prime, 3 x Kryo Silver)Prime Ultra core @ 3.36 GHzAdreno A32 GPU @ 1 GHzUp to 15W sustained performance RAM / Storage ? 12GB LPDDR5x-8533 / 128GB UFS 3.116GB LPDDR5x-8533 / 512GB UFS 4.016GB LPDDR5x-8533 / 1TB UFS 4.0 Battery "Much larger" 6000 mAh Ports 1 x USB-C1 x 3.5mm audio 1 x USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-C (w/USB-PD and DisplayPort Alt Mode)1 x microSD card reader Wireless WiFi 7 WiFi 7Bluetooth 5.3 Controllers & Sensors "Upgraded" Hall JoystickHall Linear TriggerDual X-axis vibration motors Hall sensing joysticksLinear Hall triggersX-axis linear vibration motor6-axis gyroscope Cooling "Ultra large" heat sink + fan VC heat plate + fan Security Fingerprint sensor (integrated with power button) Fingerprint sensor (integrated with power button) Software AndroidAYAHome LauncherAYASpace Management app Android 13AYAHome LauncherAYASpace Management app Dimensions ? 214 x 85 x 14mm8.4″ x 3.3″ x 0.6″ Weight ? 350 grams12.3 ounces Price (Early Bird / IGG standard / Retail) ? 12GB/128GB: $399 / $479 / $55916GB/512GB: $499 / $579 / $66916GB/1TB: $559 / $639 / $72916GB/1TB Unmarked Edition: $629 / $719 / $769 12GB/128GB: $439/ $509 / $58916GB/512GB: $529 / $609 / $69916GB/1TB: $$589 / $669 / $75916GB/1TB Unmarked Edition: $659 / $749 / $799 Availability (estimated) ? Mid May, 2024 Late June, 2024

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