The AYANEO Pocket S2 is the most powerful Android handheld I've ever tested, but is it the best?

When it comes to really premium Android gaming handhelds, AYANEO virtually owns the market. Its gadgets are admitedly area of interest in comparison with the likes of Retroid and ANBERNIC, but they provide premium gadgets with efficiency that blows away the competitors.

So when it was introduced that the Pocket S2 can be one in all the first devies to get the Qualcomm’s new handheld-focused G collection chips, I used to be instantly intrigued. May this be the first of a brand new technology of extremely powerful Android gaming handhelds?

After per week of testing, I’m assured that the reply is sure. Does that imply it is best to truly purchase it? That’s nonetheless up for debate.

Earlier than I get to the chipset, let’s discuss the design of the AYANEO Pocket S2. At first look, the all glass entrance and flat form-factor make it look an terrible lot like a cellphone, which doesn’t sound like excellent news for ergonomics.

But I’m pleased to say that it truly feels nice to carry. The aluminum body is completely curved and clean, with the plastic again offering a bit of additional grip in your fingers. It makes use of the identical flat design philosophy as the Nintendo Change, but with a extra premium construct.

The different factor that makes it comfy to carry are the stacked triggers. Like the Nintendo Change, they flare out from the again, and supply a pleasant little ledge to relaxation your fingers on. They’re way more pronounced than the triggers on my OG Change, and the triggers themselves have a pleasant, grippy texture.

In contrast to the Change, the remainder of the controls are additionally nice. The buttons provide a satisfying quantity of resistance, though I did discover them a bit on the small aspect. The sticks are additionally on the smaller aspect and I’d extremely advocate selecting up larger stick caps or changing the sticks altogether in case you’re going to play FPS video games. They pop proper off, so it’s a fast repair.

Dimension apart, they’re high-end TMR electromagnetic sticks. This expertise is primarily the successor to Corridor impact sticks, offering a lot of the identical advantages but with higher precision, decision, and battery effectivity. I’m positive these won’t ever drift as badly as my Change sticks do, even after changing them as soon as.

The D-pad, on the different hand, is good. It’s an absolute pleasure to make use of, and in case you swing for the Pocket S2 Professional, it comes with a second, shield-style various. There’s a small device to pluck out the D-pad to put in the different one, and it’s simply as simple as swapping the keys on a mechanical keyboard. It’s utterly pointless and nobody else does it, but it does spark pleasure.

Talking of sparking pleasure, the Pocket S2 marks the return of a fan favourite characteristic: a headphone jack. I’m glad AYANEO determined to hearken to the followers on this one, as a result of it doesn’t make a lot sense to omit them on gaming handhelds. On telephones you’ll be able to argue it helps with water resistance, but I’m not taking the Pocket S2 anyplace near the pool, irrespective of how sizzling it will get this summer season.

My solely criticism, apart from the smaller sticks, is the display. It’s a beautiful, 6.3-inch 1440p IPS show with nice colours and brightness, but at this value, it seems like it ought to be extra. Don’t get me incorrect, I like gaming on this display, but OLED ought to be the normal right here. Or at the very least, a 120hz refresh-rate to allow black body insertion on retro titles. That’s accessible on cheaper gadgets like the Odin 2 Portal and even the ANBERNIC RG 477M.

Nonetheless, the complete bundle seems to be and feels premium. It’s additionally comparatively gentle for the measurement, weighing in at 440g. That’s similar to the Odin 2 Portal (430g) and considerably lower than one thing like the Steam Deck OLED, which weighs a whopping 640g.

Clearly the Steam Deck is a unique class of machine, but there’s a motive I’m evaluating them, and it’s as a result of the Pocket S2 packs far more energy than another Android handheld launched till now.

I ran the Pocket S2 via our normal suite of benchmarks, and it confirmed what I already knew: this factor is a beast. Let’s evaluate the scores to different fashionable handhelds, together with the AYANEO Pocket ACE (Snapdragon G3 Gen 2), AYN Odin 2 Portal (Snapdragon 8 Gen 2), ONEXSUGAR SUGAR 1 (additionally the Snapdragon G3 Gen 3), and the Retroid Pocket Flip 2 (Snapdragon 865).

When it comes to multi-core CPU efficiency, we’re taking a look at a greater than 25% improve over the earlier chief, the AYN Odin 2 Portal. It even outperforms the SUGAR 1, which has the identical chipset. That machine has two screens and a less-than-ideal cooling setup, but it is also chalked as much as AYANEO’s years of expertise with Android handhelds.

Shifting on to GPU efficiency, we see much more drastic outcomes. The Snapdragon G3 Gen 3 is primarily a gaming-oriented Snapdragon 8 Gen 3, so it is sensible that it outperforms the competitors. Nonetheless, I wasn’t anticipating the delta to be so giant. It scored 20% increased than the Pocket ACE, and greater than 40% increased than the Odin 2 Portal. For sure, the Retroid Pocket Flip 2’s older chipset is utterly outclassed right here.

It isn’t simple to see in the graphs, but the G3 Gen 3 on the Pocket S2 additionally made features by way of sustained efficiency. These exams price gadgets for stability, primarily evaluating the greatest and worst outcomes after 20 runs, and the G3 Gen 3 scored roughly 91%. That’s up from 85% on its predecessor, but nonetheless lower than the 99% on mainline chips.

Temperatures have been additionally properly inside management, peaking at simply 42 levels celcius. In comparison with 46 levels on the Pocket ACE, that’s remarkably cool. These temperatures are additionally centered in the heart of the machine, so I by no means felt any warmth on my palms whereas holding it.

In different phrases, it’s the new most powerful Android gaming handheld on the market by a heathly margin when taking a look at the uncooked information. But how does it carry out in Android video games and emulators? Spoiler: additionally nice.

This factor ran actually the whole lot I may throw at it. Clearly retro video games play like a dream, even with very heavy shaders. Revisiting a few of my favourite retro titles with the CRT-Royale shader is an unimaginable expertise, even with the black bars on the sides. PS2 with widescreen hacks additionally ran at 3X decision with out breaking a sweat.

When it involves extra trendy stuff, it nonetheless will get the job finished. I used to be truly shocked how properly Nintendo Change emulation labored on this machine. Practically each recreation was playable, together with some titles that don’t work on the earlier technology of powerful handhelds. It’s nonetheless not good and video games nonetheless play higher on authentic {hardware}, but this is the first time that I wouldn’t thoughts enjoying via a complete Change recreation on non-Change {hardware}.

For these sorts of emulators, it all actually comes all the way down to drivers. When the Snapdragon G3 Gen 2 debuted on the Pocket EVO and DMG, it was a significant difficulty, even with Android video games. Now, it’s a complete non-issue. You’ll be able to spoof different gadgets in settings, but I doubt you’ll ever must.

AYANEO introduced that it’s working carefully with Qualcomm on drivers beginning with this launch, and it actually reveals right here. The firm additionally despatched check gadgets (together with the Pocket S2) to the builders behind the Nintendo Change emulator Eden, which could clarify why it works so properly proper out of the field.

I’ll additionally observe that this chipset is nice for recreation streaming, with WiFi 7 and Bluetooth 5.3 supported. Nevertheless, the smaller sticks on the Pocket S2 made it a bit of uncomfortable to play trendy PC video games, so I wouldn’t essentially advocate it for that. There are cheaper gadgets with bigger sticks that carry out each bit as properly.

One other huge promoting level for the Pocket S2 is battery life. The normal mannequin comes with a large 8,000mAh battery, whereas the Professional mannequin ups that to 10,000mAh. That was sufficient for properly over 5 hours of intense gaming, or greater than a dozen in lighter retro titles.

Charging is additionally speedy, leaping from 20% to 90% in about 75 minutes. The 60W max charging speeds I examined are unique to the Professional mannequin, nonetheless, with the normal maxing out at 40W. Even so, you gained’t must spend a lot time tethered to a charger with the Pocket S2.

Whereas I used to be very impressed all through my testing interval with this machine, the occasions of the previous week have made it significantly more durable to advocate. Don’t get me incorrect, it’s a unbelievable machine and you’ll in all probability love it in case you determine to purchase it, but the premium price ticket is powerful to abdomen, particularly when AYANEO itself is releasing compelling alternate options.

The normal model of the AYANEO Pocket S2 comes with 8-12GB of RAM and 128-256GB of inside storage. The Professional mannequin bumps that as much as 16GB of RAM and 512GB-1TB of storage, plus a bigger battery and a swappable D-pad. Personally, I feel the lowest tier of the Professional mannequin is the greatest worth, because you’ll have the ability to play the whole lot at the highest high quality. That stated, it will run you $559 throughout the crowdfunding marketing campaign, and $619 retail. That’s properly into Home windows handheld territory by way of pricing.

The downside is that except you completely want the most quantity of energy, there are many gadgets that price rather a lot much less or have extra attention-grabbing designs. Simply this week AYANEO introduced the dual-screened Pocket DS, which has the earlier G3 Gen 2 but pairs it with a large 7-inch 165Hz OLED panel and a 5-inch LCD panel on the backside. That makes it a particularly distinctive handheld, and though full pricing hasn’t been revealed, we already know it’s going to be cheaper than the Pocket 2S.

It additionally introduced a sub-brand known as KONKR, and its first machine, the Pocket FIT, seems to be like a strong various to the Pocket S2. It has a 6-inch 144Hz LCD show, and it’s powered by the the identical G3 Gen 3 as the Pocket S2. Which means you will get the identical unimaginable efficiency for what’s going to absolutely over 100 {dollars} much less, though there shall be different tradeoffs in construct high quality.

Neither of these merchandise have launched but, so that you gained’t have the ability to get your palms on them till fall or winter. We additionally don’t have all of the particulars but, so there could also be downsides that make the Pocket S2 look extra enticing in hindsight.

Outdoors of AYANEO’s choices, you’ve bought dependable gadgets like the AYN Odin 2 Portal ($329 at Manufacturer site). You’re buying and selling the additional energy of the newer chipset for a 120Hz AMOLED show, albeit at 1080p as an alternative of 1440p. That machine has been accessible for greater than six months now, so you will discover it for $200 lower than the Pocket S2.

That stated, in case you do need energy, the AYANEO Pocket S2 is the most powerful Android gaming handheld you will get proper now. This machine is at the absolute bleeding fringe of efficiency, and in case you can’t anticipate different gadgets to catch up, your greatest guess is to purchase one earlier than the crowdfunding marketing campaign ends in mid-August.