The AYANEO Pocket S, powered by the Snapdragon G3X Gen 2 chipset, has emerged as one of the most powerful Android gaming handhelds on the market. In our AYANEO Pocket S review we learn this premium device boasts impressive performance for emulation and Android gaming, along with a sleek design and high-quality build. However, its high price point compared to other options has sparked debate about its overall value proposition for consumers.
AYANEO Pocket S Design and Display Options
We begin our AYANEO Pocket S review with a close look at the design and the two display options. The AYANEO Pocket S boasts a sleek, premium design that draws comparisons to high-end smartphones. With dimensions of 213.9 x 85 x 14mm / 8.42 x 3.3 x 0.55 and weighing just 350g 0.77 lbs, it offers a compact and portable form factor. The AYANEO Pocket S features a metal frame and an all-glass front panel, exuding quality and durability. Available in Obsidian Black and Ice Soul White color options, the Pocket S caters to different aesthetic preferences.
AYANEO offers two display choices for the Pocket S: a 6-inch touchscreen 1080p IPS panel with 368 PPI, and a more premium 1440p IPS panel with 490 PPI. Both screens feature a bezel-less design, providing an immersive visual experience with 400 nits of brightness and 120% sRGB color gamut coverage. While the 1440p option offers higher pixel density, some suggest the 1080p version may be more practical for battery life and performance considerations. Regardless of the chosen resolution, the Pocket S’s display quality is praised for its vibrancy and clarity, enhancing the overall gaming experience on this Android-powered handheld
Controls, Buttons and Ports
Next in our AYANEO Pocket S review, we test the game controls for their feel and responsiveness. The AYANEO Pocket S features a comprehensive control layout designed for optimal gaming experience, ensuring that every retro game can be enjoyed to its fullest. It includes RGB hall effect analogue joysticks and linear hall triggers, providing precise and responsive inputs ideal for retro gaming. The device also incorporates a master Android controller setup with standard face buttons, D-pad, and shoulder buttons. A unique “Turbo Button” and dedicated “Home Button” offer quick access to performance modes and system functions.
For connectivity, the Pocket S is equipped with a full-featured USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-C port, which supports charging, data transfer, and video output. Additionally, it includes an SD 3.0 micro SD card slot for expandable storage The device features dual noise-canceling microphones, enhancing voice clarity during online gaming sessions. Notably, the power button integrates fingerprint recognition for added security. These carefully designed controls and ports contribute to the Pocket S’s versatility as a high-end Android gaming handheld.
Technical Specifications and Models
We continue our AYANEO Pocket S review with a look at the specifications of the device.The AYANEO Pocket S comes in two main variants, differentiated primarily by their display resolutions. Both models are powered by the Snapdragon G3x Gen 2 chipset, featuring an 8-core Kyro CPU and Adreno A32 GPU, designed specifically for mobile gaming devices.
The gaming Android handheld offers configurations with either 12GB or 16GB of LPDDR5X RAM. Storage options range from 128GB (UFS 3.1) to 512GB and 1TB (UFS 4.0), with the higher capacity models benefiting from faster storage technology. Connectivity is robust, with Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 5.3 support across all models. The Pocket S houses a 6,000 mAh battery, which provides around 5-7 hours of gaming time, depending on usage and settings.
The key difference between the models lies in their displays. The 1080p edition features a 6-inch IPS panel with 1920×1080 resolution and 368 PPI, while the 1440p “Advance Edition” boasts a 2560×1440 resolution with 490 PPI. Both screens offer 400 nits of brightness and 120% sRGB color gamut coverage.
Comparison with AYN Odin 2 models
The AYANEO Pocket S, AYN Odin 2 and AYN Odin 2 Mini Pro are both top contenders in the Android handheld gaming market, each with its own strengths. The Pocket S features a more premium build quality with a sleek, bezel-less design and options for a higher resolution 1440p display, appealing to those who prioritize aesthetics in their gaming Android handheld. However, the AYN Odin 2 offers better battery life with its larger 8000 mAh battery compared to the Pocket S’s 6000-7350 mAh.
Performance-wise, both devices are capable of handling demanding emulators and Android games, though the AYANEO Pocket S may have a slight edge in GPU-intensive tasks. The Odin 2 is generally considered to offer better value for money, with a lower starting price and similar overall performance. Ultimately, the choice between the two may come down to personal preferences regarding design, battery life, and budget constraints.
AYASpace Software Features
AYASpace is the official frontend software for AYANEO gaming handhelds, designed to enhance the user experience on both Windows and Android platforms. It features an intuitive interface that can be operated directly with a controller, eliminating the need for a mouse and keyboard
The software includes a Quick Tool that provides easy access to performance settings like TDP adjustment, fan speed control, and screen resolution changes AYASpace also offers game management capabilities, allowing users to import games from various platforms and utilize AI-powered game recognition.
Additionally, it provides real-time system monitoring, custom vibration adjustment, and the ability to create and share gaming configurations. While some users have reported occasional bugs, many appreciate how AYASpace makes AYANEO devices feel more like dedicated gaming handhelds rather than traditional Windows devices
Benchmark Performance Analysis
A brief look at some benchmark tests and results as part of our AYANEO Pocket S review. The AYANEO Pocket S demonstrates impressive performance in various benchmarks, showcasing the capabilities of its Snapdragon G3x Gen 2 chipset. In Geekbench 5, the Android gaming device achieved scores of 1427 single-core and 4172 multi-core at 1440p resolution, with slightly higher scores of 1535 and 4739 respectively at 1080p. Geekbench 6 results show single-core scores ranging from 1922 to 2574 and multi-core scores around 5175.
The Pocket S excels in Antutu benchmarks, scoring 1,690,726, which is 45% higher than the AYN Odin 2 and 123% better than the Retroid Pocket 4 Pro. However, 3DMark results are surprisingly lower, with a score of 4382, less than half the performance of the Odin 2 and only 10% better than the RP4 Pro. This discrepancy between Antutu and 3DMark scores makes it challenging to predict real-world gaming performance accurately, especially for emulation scenarios
Native Android Gaming and Screen Mapping with AYA SPACE
The AYANEO Pocket S demonstrates impressive capabilities when it comes to native Android gaming. Its powerful Snapdragon G3x Gen 2 chipset allows it to run demanding titles like Genshin Impact, Diablo Immortal, and Call of Duty Mobile at high settings with smooth framerates.
The device’s high-resolution display options (1080p or 1440p) enhance the visual experience for mobile games.To improve compatibility with touch-based Android games, AYANEO has implemented a “No Feeling” button mapping function in their AYASpace software. This feature allows users to map on-screen touch controls to the device’s physical buttons and joysticks, enhancing playability for games not originally designed for controller input. The mapping interface can be customized for transparency, allowing for an unobstructed view of the game screen.
Additionally, AYANEO has announced plans to introduce a “Device Spoofing” feature, which will allow the Pocket S to mimic other Android gaming consoles, potentially unlocking higher performance settings in certain games.While the button mapping feature is a welcome addition, some reviewers have noted that it’s not as refined as similar solutions on others, including the AYANEO Pocket Air. AYANEO has committed to continuous software updates, with plans to improve and expand these features in future OTA updates
Emulation Performance Insights
The AYANEO Pocket S demonstrates impressive emulation capabilities across a wide range of systems. For older consoles like SNES, Genesis, and PlayStation 1, performance is flawless with options for enhanced visuals and resolution upscaling, making it perfect for retro game enthusiasts.
More demanding systems like the GameCube emulator Dolphin and PlayStation 2 emulator AetherSEX2 run exceptionally well, with many games again playable at higher resolutions and frame rates. Even some titles on YuZu (now discontinued) and are surprisingly functional, though performance varies. The device handles PPSSPP and Citra emulators with ease, allowing users to emulate their favorite retro games smoothly.
While not perfect across all games, the AYANEO Pocket S Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chip provides enough power to tackle most emulation tasks admirably. Overall, the AYANEO Pocket S stands out as one of the most capable Android-based emulation handhelds currently available, especially for those who love retro titles!
Final Verdict on the AYANEO Pocket S Review
Time to sum up our AYANEO Pocket S review with our thoughts. The AYANEO Pocket S stands out as a premium Android gaming device, offering impressive performance and build quality. Its Snapdragon G3x Gen 2 chipset delivers strong emulation capabilities and smooth native Android gaming. The device’s sleek design, featuring a bezel-less display available in 1080p or 1440p, has been widely praised for its aesthetic appeal and build quality. Compared to the AYN Odin 2 and Odin 2 Mini Pro, the Pocket S offers some advantages and drawbacks:
Pros:
- Superior build quality and premium feel
- Higher resolution display option (1440p)
- Best GPU performance for demanding games
Cons:
- Higher price point
- Smaller battery capacity (6000 mAh vs 8000 mAh in Odin 2)
- Less ergonomic design for extended gaming sessions
While the AYANEO Pocket S impresses with its performance and design, the AYN Odin 2 and Odin 2 Mini Pro remain strong competitors, offering similar capabilities at a lower price point and with better ergonomics for long gaming sessions The choice between these for the best Android handheld ultimately depends on individual preferences for design, performance needs, and budget considerations.
Share Your Thoughts
We hope you have found our AYANEO Pocket S review helpful? We’d love to hear your thoughts on the AYANEO Pocket S! Have you had a chance to try out this premium Android gaming console? Share your experiences with its performance, design, and how it compares to other devices like the AYN Odin 2. What features do you find most appealing, and are there any areas where you think it could be improved? Whether you’re a seasoned handheld gaming enthusiast or new to the world of portable gaming, your insights can help others make informed decisions. Drop a comment below to join the discussion on this exciting addition to the mobile gaming landscape
