The Pocket S, developed by AYANEO, has been in development for quite some time, initially showcased as "Project S" back in late August.
Since then, the company has unveiled the gaming handheld on several occasions, with the latest preview just at the beginning of this month. However, until now, AYANEO has kept a tight hold on the device, only sharing gameplay footage directly without allowing third-party videos.
A First Look of AYANEO Pocket S
Recently, AYANEO provided an "early prototype" to ETA Prime, who has offered an exclusive first look in the video below. In the video, the YouTuber also reveals what appears to be retail packaging, emphasizing the device's reliance on a Qualcomm Snapdragon chipset.
Impressive Hardware Specs
AYANEO has equipped the Pocket S with cutting-edge hardware, including the Qualcomm Snapdragon G3x Gen 2 chipset with a 15 W TDP. The device boasts a 6-inch IPS display with a resolution of 2560 x 1440 and 400 nits brightness.
Remarkably, the Pocket S maintains a slim profile, measuring approximately 14 mm thick, excluding its triggers, setting it apart from other Android gaming handhelds.
Enhanced User Experience
Building on the success of its predecessor, the Pocket Air, the Pocket S features various UI enhancements through AYASpace and AYAHome software. These modifications provide users with a tailored gaming experience, optimizing performance and usability.
Exceptional Gaming Performance
In terms of gaming capabilities, ETA Prime demonstrates that the Pocket S can handle demanding titles such as Devil May Cry: Peak of Combat, Genshin Impact, and Real Racing 3 at 60 FPS in 1440p resolution. Moreover, the device seamlessly integrates with the Google Play Store, with many games recognizing the Pocket S as an Xbox controller.
For titles that do not offer native controller support, AYANEO includes a key mapper service for effortless gameplay.
Versatile Compatibility
The Pocket S offers compatibility with Gamecube and Wii games, delivering crisp visuals at 1080p and beyond using the OpenGL backend. Additionally, PlayStation 2 titles benefit from 3.5x native resolution, enhancing the gaming experience further.
However, GPU driver issues may arise when attempting to emulate Nintendo Switch titles on YUZU, an area that AYANEO continues to address.
When is AYANEO Pocket S Coming?
AYANEO has hinted at an April 2024 release for the Pocket S, although specific pricing and availability details are yet to be confirmed, per Notebookcheck.
Every gamer, especially those who regularly use Android devices for gaming, knows that AYANEO is cooking something big. Regardless, all we need to do is wait for further updates from the company regarding the release of the Pocket S.
If you're an avid AYANEO fan, you can explore its other handhelds, including the AYANEO 2S.
