AYANEO Pocket Air Review: A Powerful Android Handheld for Retro Gaming

AYANEO · 2023-09-01

AYANEO Pocket Air Review: A Powerful Android Handheld for Retro Gaming

The AYANEO Pocket Air is a premium Android handheld gaming device featuring a 5.5-inch AMOLED display, MediaTek Dimensity 1200 chipset, and up to 12GB RAM. It offers excellent performance for emulating GameCube, Wii, and PS2 games, with active cooling and a 7350mAh battery.

Overview

The AYANEO Pocket Air is a compact yet powerful Android handheld gaming device designed for retro gaming enthusiasts. It features a 5.5-inch AMOLED touchscreen with 1920x1080 resolution and 60Hz refresh rate, delivering vibrant colors and sharp details. Powered by the MediaTek Dimensity 1200 processor (Cortex-A78/A55 cores up to 3.0 GHz) and Mali-G77 MC9 GPU, it handles demanding emulators like GameCube, Wii, and PS2 with ease. The device comes with 6/8/12 GB RAM and storage options of 128/256/512 GB, expandable via MicroSD.

Key Specs Highlights

  • 5.5-inch AMOLED display (1920x1080, 400.5 PPI)
  • MediaTek Dimensity 1200 (8-core, up to 3.0 GHz)
  • Mali-G77 MC9 GPU @ 850 MHz
  • 6/8/12 GB RAM, 128/256/512 GB storage + MicroSD
  • 7350 mAh battery, active cooling fan
  • WiFi 6, Bluetooth 5.2, 4G, USB-C video output
  • Hall effect triggers and joysticks, fingerprint sensor, gyroscope
  • Weight: 380g, dimensions: 224 x 89.5 x 18-26.7 mm

Who It Is For

The Pocket Air is perfect for retro gaming fans who want a portable device capable of emulating GameCube, Wii, and PS2 games. It also suits Android gamers looking for a dedicated handheld with physical controls, active cooling, and long battery life. The premium build and AMOLED screen make it a great choice for those who value display quality.

Buying Notes

The AYANEO Pocket Air launched in September 2023 with a price range of $279 to $519 depending on configuration. It is available in Retro White color. Ensure you check current pricing and availability from official retailers. The device supports USB-C video output and has a 3.5mm headphone jack.

Specifications
CPUCortex-A78 / Cortex-A55
GPUMali-G77 MC9
NameAYANEO Pocket Air
BrandAYANEO
Memory6 GB / 8 GB / 12 GB
Weight380 g
Battery7350 mAh
CoolingActive cooling fan, air vents
StorageBuilt-in 128 GB / 256 GB / 512 GB & External MicroSD
SpeakersDual stereo
Grip TypeHorizontal
ProcessorMediaTek Dimensity 1200
VibrationYes
Body ColorRetro White
Dimensions224 mm x 89.5 mm x 18 - 26.7 mm
Screen PPI400.5
Price Range$300 - $400
Screen Size5.5 inches
Screen TypeAMOLED touchscreen
Audio Output3.5mm headphone jack
ConnectivityWiFi 6, Bluetooth 5.2, 4G, USB-C OTG
Release Date2023 / 09
Screen Ratio16:9
Video OutputUSB-C video output
CPU Frequency2.0 GHz - 3.0 GHz
Other SensorsFingerprint sensor, gyroscope, Hall effect triggers and joysticks
Shell MaterialPlastic
Starting Price$279 - $519
Operating SystemAndroid
Screen Resolution1920 x 1080
GPU Core Frequency850 MHz
Screen Refresh Rate60Hz
CPU Cores and Threads8 cores 8 threads
Emulator Game SupportGamecube, Wii, PS2 playable