The AYANEO Pocket Micro takes inspiration from the beloved Gameboy Advance Micro, reimagining it as a modern gaming Android handheld with a distinct AYANEO touch. In this AYANEO Pocket Micro review, we’ll dive into its design, performance, gaming capabilities, and how it compares with other Android gaming devices in the market. Let’s find out if this compact powerhouse is worth your investment.
AYANEO Pocket Micro Review
A Closer Look at the AYANEO Pocket Micro
The AYANEO Pocket Micro is designed to be a truly portable Android gaming console, measuring just 6.1 x 2.4 x 0.7 inches (15.6 x 6.3 x 1.8 cm) and weighing 233g (0.51 lbs). Constructed from aluminum alloy, the shell gives the device a premium and durable feel, making it sturdier than its size might suggest. While technically pocketable, the analog sticks protrude slightly, so it’s best carried in a jacket pocket or bag.
The display is a 3.5-inch borderless IPS touchscreen with a 960×640 resolution—exactly four times that of the original Gameboy Advance. The screen delivers vibrant colors and sharp visuals, making it a great fit for retro and modern Android gaming handheld experiences.
In terms of controls, the device includes hall-effect analog sticks, ensuring longevity and precision. Along the bottom edges are pairs of buttons for SELECT and START, AYA Overlay, and Home functions.
At the base, you’ll find a USB Type-C port that supports USB 2.0 OTG, a feature we’ll discuss in more detail shortly. The left side houses a covered microSD card slot, while the right side includes macro buttons. On the top, there are shoulder and trigger buttons, with a power button featuring an integrated fingerprint scanner and volume controls slightly off-center.
I initially thought I had the red-and-gold Gameboy Advance Micro for comparison, but I found my silver model instead! The inspiration is evident, particularly in the shape and the placement of the SELECT and START buttons on the curved sides. However, much like the AYANEO Pocket DMG, this isn’t a direct replica but a modern reimagining of a classic design.
The Unusual USB Port on the AYANEO Pocket Micro
One quirk of the AYANEO Pocket Micro is its USB Type-C port. While it functions as expected for charging, things get a little strange when trying to use external devices. If you want to connect a USB flash drive or use a Type-C to 3.5mm audio jack, you must first disable the internal gamepad via the system settings.
This limitation means you cannot use external storage or wired headphones while gaming, as disabling the gamepad renders the controls unusable. Additionally, there’s no dedicated 3.5mm headphone jack, which is an unusual omission for a gaming Android handheld. While Bluetooth headphones work seamlessly, this design choice feels restrictive, especially considering the many gamers who still prefer wired audio solutions.
AYANEO Pocket Micro Technical Specs
As part of this AYANEO Pocket Micro review we check the technical specifications and run some tests on the battery life, temperatures and fan noise.
| CPU | MediaTek Helio G99 2x Arm Cortex-A76 up to 2.2GHz 6x Arm Cortex-A55 up to 2.0GHz |
| GPU | Arm Mali-G57 MC2 |
| RAM | 6GB LPDDR4x 8GB LPDDR4x |
| STORAGE | 128GB UFS 2.2 256GB UFS 2.2 |
| COMMUNICATIONS | Wi-Fi 5 Bluetooth 5.2 |
| DISPLAY | 3.5″ borderless IPS touchscreen 960×640 resolution 330 PPI 400 nits 3:2 screen ratio 100% sRGB coverage / 115% sRGB volume |
| DIMENSIONS | 6.1 x 2.4 x 0.7 inches (15.6 x 6.3 x 1.8 cm) |
| WEIGHT | 233g (0.51 lbs) |
Powering everything is a 2,600mAh battery, which we tested using the Antutu benchmark on a loop at full brightness in Performance mode. The result? Around three hours of battery life under heavy usage, though normal usage can extend this to about six hours.
During our noise and heat tests, we had to place our ear close to the fan grill to confirm if it was running. It’s whisper-quiet, making it ideal for distraction-free gaming. Temperature-wise, the device reached 46°C, with most of the heat concentrated around the display rather than the exhaust vents.
Performance Benchmarks – How Does It Stack Up?
To assess the AYANEO Pocket Micro’s capabilities, we ran a series of benchmarks and compared it with similar devices, including AYANEO’s premium Pocket S and other budget-friendly Android gaming consoles like the Retroid Pocket 2S and RG Cube.
Geekbench 5 & 6
In Geekbench 5, the Pocket Micro outperformed the Retroid Pocket 2S by 43% but trailed behind the RG Cube by about 14% in single-core performance.
For Geekbench 6, while we lacked data for the Pocket 2S, the AYANEO Pocket Micro showed a 16% lower score compared to the RG Cube in single-core tests and a 19% difference in multi-core performance.
Antutu & 3DMark
On Antutu, the device showed a 56% performance boost over the Pocket 2S but was 15% behind the RG Cube.
With 3DMark Slingshot, the Pocket Micro exhibited decent improvements over the 2S but lagged by 33% compared to the RG Cube. In Wildlife Extreme, the device was roughly 48% weaker than the Anbernic RG Cube.
Benchmark Verdict
Overall, the AYANEO Pocket Micro offers solid performance within its class. It surpasses the Retroid Pocket 2S but is outperformed by the more affordable RG Cube. However, the premium build quality and AYANEO’s software experience give it an edge over cheaper alternatives.
OS Overview
Like other AYANEO Android handhelds, the AYANEO Pocket Micro runs a clean and lightweight version of Android 13, featuring essential apps such as the Google Play Store and AYANEO’s own custom AYA Home software. The operating system is designed to be simple and efficient, ensuring smooth performance while giving users the flexibility to install their favorite apps and games.
With AYA Home, users gain access to a dedicated gaming frontend, allowing them to organize and launch games with ease. The interface includes customization options and system settings to optimize the experience. Setting up game ROMs within the frontend requires some initial effort, but once configured, it provides a seamless gaming hub. Additionally, the AYA Overlay offers a quick-access menu for real-time system monitoring, including FPS, temperature, and fan speed, along with performance and controller settings.
AYANEO’s software ecosystem sets it apart from competitors like Anbernic, AYN, and Retroid, delivering a premium user experience with refined UI elements and enhanced control over system settings.
Android Gaming
While the AYANEO Pocket Micro doesn’t boast the highest-end specs compared to devices like the AYANEO Pocket S, it still offers a strong gaming experience for a wide variety of Android games. Thanks to its MediaTek Helio G99 processor, users can enjoy smooth gameplay on many Android titles, particularly retro and mid-tier games that don’t require extreme processing power.
For games that lack native controller support, the built-in screen-mapping software comes in handy. This feature allows players to assign physical button inputs to touchscreen controls by simply dragging and placing icons on the screen. The setup is quick and intuitive, ensuring that virtually any Android game can be played with a traditional handheld feel, enhancing the gaming experience on this compact device.
Emulation Breakdown
We were genuinely impressed by the emulation capabilities of the AYANEO Pocket Micro. Based on the chipset, we had certain performance expectations, but the results exceeded them in several instances. Classic 8-bit, 16-bit, and 32-bit consoles, computers, and handhelds run effortlessly on the device. Where possible, users can enhance visuals by increasing the rendering resolution and applying graphical improvements, further refining the experience.
PPSSPP
PPSSPP performance was impressive, running God of War at 3x resolution with no frame skipping and 16x anisotropic filtering. The game maintained a solid 60 FPS, making PSP emulation a smooth experience.
AetherSX2
AetherSX2 performance was mixed. OutRun was nearly unplayable even at half resolution, but Gran Turismo 3 fared better at half rendering resolution. Some lower-demand games could reach 0.75x or even 1x resolution with acceptable performance.
Citra
Citra emulation was surprisingly strong. Many 3DS games were fully playable with minimal issues, though shader cache stutters were present in demanding titles.
Vita3K
PS Vita emulation was a highlight. TxK ran flawlessly at 2x resolution, and Street Fighter X Tekken played well at native resolution, with only minor frame drops during shader caching.
Yuzu
Switch emulation using Yuzu was a mixed bag. Cruis’n Blast ran at 30-40 FPS at 1x resolution, improving to 50 FPS when lowered further. While high-end Switch games struggle, some lower-demand titles are surprisingly playable.
Final Verdict – Is the AYANEO Pocket Micro Worth It?
Before getting hands-on with the AYANEO Pocket Micro, I was skeptical about whether such a small Android gaming device could deliver a worthwhile experience. However, after extensive testing, it’s clear that this compact console has a lot to offer.
Performance-wise, despite its mid-range processor, the device holds its own against similarly priced competitors. It performed well in benchmarks and, more importantly, handled emulation better than expected. PSP and PS Vita games ran smoothly, and even some 3DS and Switch titles were playable with minor tweaks.
What sets the AYANEO Pocket Micro apart is its premium build quality. The CNC aluminum alloy frame gives it a solid, durable feel, something rarely seen in this category. Additionally, AYANEO’s software enhancements provide a more polished user experience compared to brands like Anbernic, AYN, and Retroid.
However, the 3.5-inch display is a double-edged sword. While it makes the device highly portable, text in certain games and emulators can be difficult to read. Users who struggle with small screens may find this a limiting factor, particularly for modern emulated systems.
Ultimately, if you’re looking for a premium Android gaming handheld for retro and lightweight modern gaming, the AYANEO Pocket Micro is a strong contender. While it may not offer the best raw performance for its price, the combination of build quality, software experience, and portability makes it a compelling choice for those seeking a pocket-friendly gaming device!
You can learn more about the AYANEO Pocket Micro and order yours here.
