AYANEO Pocket DMG review: The Ultimate Retro Gaming Handheld?

The AYANEO Pocket DMG, a modern take on the classic Game Boy design, combines retro aesthetics with cutting-edge technology. In our AYANEO Pocket DMG review we take a closer look at this vertical handheld gaming device featuring a powerful Qualcomm Snapdragon G3x Gen 2 processor and a high-resolution 3.92-inch OLED display, promising to deliver an impressive gaming experience for both retro and modern titles.

Ergonomic Design Features

We begin our AYANEO Pocket DMG review with our thoughts on the design. The AYANEO Pocket DMG features a carefully crafted ergonomic design to enhance comfort during extended gaming sessions. Its body includes chamfered edges and a 3D curved back that seamlessly transitions to fit the palm, providing a natural and comfortable grip. The Android gaming device measures approximately 160 x 75 x 20mm / 6.2 x 2.95 x 0.78 inches and weighs around 300 grams / 0.66 lbs, contributing to its compact and lightweight form factor, which enhances portability while maintaining a premium feel.

Strategically placed buttons, including shoulder buttons with a unique “coastline” design, offer effortless access and improved tactile response. This attention to ergonomics sets the Pocket DMG apart from traditional vertical handhelds, addressing common comfort issues associated with this form factor.

Control Layout and Features

Good or bad gaming controls are an important factor to check, as part of our AYANEO Pocket DMG review we spent a long time testing them. The AYANEO Pocket DMG features a unique control layout that blends retro and modern elements, making it an attractive option for fans of the gameboy inspired retro gaming handheld. At the core of its design is a single analog joystick on the left side, enhanced with Hall Effect technology for improved accuracy and durability. This is complemented by a traditional D-pad, providing precise directional input for classic games. The gaming Android handheld incorporates ABXY face buttons for familiar gameplay across various genres, making it a great choice for any handheld game enthusiast.

A standout feature is the innovative touchpad on the right side, which doubles as a second analog input, offering versatility for modern games and navigation. The Pocket DMG also includes shoulder buttons. Additional controls include Start and Select buttons, positioned to avoid interference during gameplay.

The device also features a unique “MagicSwitch” scroll wheel that can be customized for various functions, including volume control and additional inputs. This combination of controls aims to provide a balance between retro authenticity and modern gaming needs, though the single physical analog stick may limit its compatibility with some contemporary titles.

OLED Display and Resolution

We continue our AYANEO Pocket DMG review with a closer look at the display. The AYANEO Pocket DMG boasts a stunning 3.92-inch OLED display with a resolution of 1240×1080 pixels and an impressive 419 PPI (pixels per inch) density. This high-quality screen ensures vibrant colors, deep blacks, and sharp visuals, enhancing the gaming experience for both retro gaming handheld and modern titles. The OLED technology provides superior contrast and energy efficiency compared to traditional LCD screens.

With its ability to handle FHD+ resolution at up to 144 fps, the chip is well-equipped to run demanding cross-platform gaming titles and provide smooth gameplay experiences on the Pocket DMG. With its high pixel density, the Pocket DMG offers exceptional clarity and detail, making it ideal for emulating classic games with crisp, clear graphics as well as enjoying modern mobile games with rich visuals

Snapdragon G3x Gen 2 Performance

The AYANEO Pocket DMG is powered by Qualcomm’s Snapdragon G3x Gen 2 gaming platform, offering significant performance improvements over its predecessor. This enthusiast-class chip features an octa-core Kryo CPU and an Adreno A32 GPU, delivering approximately 30% faster CPU performance and twice the GPU performance compared to the previous generation.

The G3x Gen 2 supports hardware-accelerated ray tracing, game super resolution, and can sustain peak performance for extended gaming sessions. With its ability to handle FHD+ resolution at up to 144 fps, the chip is well-equipped to run demanding cross-platform gaming titles and provide smooth gameplay experiences on the Pocket DMG.

Technical Specifications Overview

The AYANEO Pocket DMG boasts impressive technical specifications that set it apart in the retro handheld market. At its core is the Qualcomm Snapdragon G3x Gen 2 processor, featuring an octa-core Kryo CPU and Adreno A32 GPU, which delivers substantial performance improvements over previous generations.

The device offers multiple RAM and storage configurations, with options for 8GB, 12GB, or 16GB of LPDDR5X RAM running at 8533 MT/s, and storage options ranging from 128GB to 512GB using UFS 4.0 technology (UFS 3.1 for the 128GB version).

Connectivity is equally robust, with the Pocket DMG supporting Wi-Fi 7 for high-speed wireless connections and Bluetooth 5.3 for low-latency peripheral connections. This combination of cutting-edge components ensures the Pocket DMG can handle a wide range of emulation tasks and modern mobile games with ease, while providing seamless connectivity for multiplayer gaming and accessory support.

Battery Life and Capacity

The AYANEO Pocket DMG is equipped with a substantial 6000mAh high-density battery, which is the largest battery capacity found in any vertical retro handheld device. This impressive battery capacity, combined with the energy-efficient Snapdragon G3x Gen 2 platform, allows the Pocket DMG to deliver exceptional battery life that exceeds expectations for an Android gaming handheld.

The device supports 25W PD fast charging, enabling quick recharging and maximizing the potential of its impressive battery life. The combination of the large battery capacity and the energy-efficient processor suggests that users can expect extended gaming sessions without frequent recharging. For context, when running GBA games, the smaller AYANEO Pocket Micro with its 2600mAh battery can provide over 6 hours of continuous gameplay. Given the Pocket DMG’s larger battery, it’s reasonable to expect even longer playtimes, especially for less demanding retro games.

Native Android Game Capabilities

Now on to some games in our AYANEO Pocket DMG review. The AYANEO Pocket DMG, powered by the Snapdragon G3x Gen 2 platform, is capable of running a wide range of native Android games with impressive performance. With its powerful Adreno A32 GPU, which offers twice the performance of its predecessor, the Android gaming console can handle graphically intensive titles at high frame rates and resolutions.

The handheld supports FHD+ resolution at up to 144 Hz, making it suitable for smooth gameplay in fast-paced action games and competitive titles. Popular and demanding Android titles like Genshin Impact, Call of Duty: Mobile, and PUBG Mobile will run smoothly on the Pocket DMG, at high graphics settings. Additionally, the device’s ability to sustain peak performance for extended periods makes it suitable for lengthy gaming sessions across various genres, including open-world games, racing simulators, and complex strategy games.

With its powerful specs and gaming-focused design, the AYANEO Pocket DMG is positioned to offer a premium Android gaming experience, capable of running virtually any native Android game available on the market with high performance and visual fidelity.

Emulation Capabilities and Range

We could not miss the opportunity for some retro gaming in our AYANEO Pocket DMG review. The AYANEO Pocket DMG’s powerful Snapdragon G3x Gen 2 processor enables it to run a wide range of emulators, covering systems from the earliest consoles to more recent handhelds. For classic systems, it easily handles emulators for NES, SNES, Genesis, and PlayStation, providing smooth gameplay for retro titles as well as being able to upscale the rendering resolution for improved visuals.

The device’s performance extends to more demanding emulators as well, capably running Dolphin, and PlayStation 2 titles via AetherSX2For handheld emulation. The Pocket DMG excels at running Game Boy, Game Boy Color, and Game Boy Advance games, offering a nostalgic vertical gaming experience reminiscent of the original hardware. It also supports emulators for more advanced handhelds like the Drastic emulator and PlayStation Portable emulator PPSSPPS, making it a versatile gaming handheld.

Notably, the device’s powerful hardware allows it to run emulators like Yuzu and Skyline, though performance may vary depending on the specific game and optimization. The Pocket DMG’s Android operating system provides access to a vast ecosystem of emulators, including RetroArch, which offers a unified interface for multiple emulation cores

AYANEO Pocket DMG Review Summary and Verdict

The AYANEO Pocket DMG stands out as a powerful and innovative vertical handheld gaming device, blending retro aesthetics with cutting-edge technology. Its Snapdragon G3x Gen 2 processor delivers impressive performance for both emulation and native Android gaming, while the 3.92-inch 1240×1080 OLED display offers stunning visuals with 419 PPI density.

The device’s ergonomic design, including a chamfered body and “coastline” shoulder buttons, enhances comfort during extended gaming sessions. Pros include the high-performance chipset, premium OLED screen, versatile emulation capabilities up to current handheld consoles, and a large 6000mAh battery with fast charging support.

However, potential cons are the device’s relatively high price point and the unconventional control layout with a single joystick and touchpad, which may limit its appeal for certain modern games. Despite these considerations, the AYANEO Pocket DMG offers a unique and powerful option for retro gaming enthusiasts seeking a premium vertical handheld experience.

Share Your Thoughts

Thanks for reading our AYANEO Pocket DMG review. We’d love to hear your thoughts on the AYANEO Pocket DMG! Whether you’re excited about its retro-inspired design, curious about its performance capabilities, or have concerns about its features, we encourage you to share your opinions in the comments below. Your insights and questions can help other readers make informed decisions and foster a community discussion about this unique handheld device.