Ayaneo unveiled its Pocket Play smartphone back in December, but the reveal was minimal in specs. The company showed off the hardware design, yet stayed quiet on key details like the processor, display, and battery. 

Almost two months later, Ayaneo has finally confirmed the chip powering its first smartphone.

Ayaneo Pocket Play is powered by MediaTek Dimensity 9300

The Ayaneo Pocket Play is powered by MediaTek’s Dimensity 9300, a flagship processor launched in 2023 and one that’s more than capable of handling demanding games. Still, it’s a curious choice. 

Ayaneo could have opted for a newer SoC — like the Dimensity 9500 or a year-old Dimensity 9400+ — to deliver more consistent long-term performance and better future-proofing.

Because a chip isn’t just about raw power. It also plays a big role in how long a device stays relevant. Older processors tend to lose manufacturer support sooner, which can affect software updates and long-term stability — something that matters even more for a niche, enthusiast-focused device like this.

Ayaneo also hasn’t backed up the announcement with any hard data. There are no frame-rate figures, no benchmark scores, and no real-world performance claims yet. For now, much of the Pocket Play’s actual gaming capability remains a mystery.

What is Ayaneo Pocket Play

What we do know is that the Pocket Play is trying to blur the line between smartphone and handheld console. It uses a side-sliding mechanism that reveals a full physical controller hidden beneath the display. Inside, there’s a familiar layout with a D-pad, ABXY buttons, shoulder triggers, and dual analog sticks.

Ayaneo has also included dual smart touchpads, which can be customized to function as virtual joysticks or standard touchpads, giving players the flexibility to tailor controls to their liking.

The Pocket Play draws inspiration from the Sony Ericsson Xperia Play, which launched in 2011 with a similar sliding controller design.

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The post Ayaneo confirms the chipset powering its first handheld smartphone appeared first on Gizmochina.

Ayaneo has finally launched the Pocket S Mini, the compact 4:3 Android handheld designed for retro gaming enthusiasts. The device features a 4.2-inch LCD screen with a 1280×960 resolution and a true 4:3 aspect ratio, making it ideal for rendering classic games without stretching or cropping.

Ayaneo Pocket S Mini Specifications

The Pocket S Mini is powered by the Snapdragon G3x Gen 2 platform, built on a 4nm process with an octa-core Kryo CPU and Adreno A32 GPU. It offers up to 16GB of LPDDR5X RAM and 512GB of UFS 4.0 storage, backed by active cooling with a biomimetic fishbone-style vent design.

The build uses a seamless high-strength glass panel on the front and a CNC-machined all-metal frame. The handheld weighs around 305g and measures 167.1 x 77.85 x 18.5mm.

In terms of controls, the Pocket S Mini includes RGB Hall-effect joysticks, Hall-effect linear triggers, and a six-axis gyroscope. The device also features crystal-textured ABXY buttons and a D-pad with conductive rubber internals. Ayaneo allows key customization through its software ecosystem, including AyaSpace for game management, AyaHome for desktop customization, and AyaSetting for performance tuning and real-time translation.

The device packs a 6000mAh high-density battery and supports PD fast charging. For connectivity, it includes USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-C with DP 1.4 output, a microSD card slot, Bluetooth 5.3, high-speed Wi-Fi, and a fingerprint scanner built into the power button. It ships with Android 14 out of the box.

Pricing and Availability

The Pocket S Mini is available in three colors: Ice Soul White, Obsidian Black, and Retro Power. Early bird pricing starts at $319 for the 8GB+128GB model and goes up to $479 for the 16GB+512GB Retro Power edition. Pre-orders are live on Ayaneo’s official store with an exclusive accessory bundle for early buyers.

In related news, Ayaneo has recently launched the Pocket DMG Aura Yellow Limited Edition.

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The post Ayaneo launches Pocket S Mini retro handheld with premium build and Snapdragon G3x Gen 2 appeared first on Gizmochina.