Review of the AYANEO Pocket AIR, a thin and lightweight portable gaming console, comfortable for "Harakami" for Android and mirrored play on Steam!

A lightweight, thin, portable gaming machine weighing approximately 380g

The other day, I wrote an article for Akiba Research Institute reviewing the AYANEO KUN, a Windows-compatible portable game console featuring a large 8.4-inch screen and an imposing appearance created by its weight of approximately 950 g. This portable gaming console allows users to play online FPS games that require complex graphics processing without any difficulty. The "A" is a very compact and lightweight machine with an 8.4-inch screen. On the other hand, the "AYANEO Pocket AIR" introduced here does not have such a massive feel. The device measures 224 (W) x 89.5 (H) x 17 (D) mm, and is compact overall, as indicated by its 17 mm thickness. Although the target market is different from the original Android-compatible device, a quick look at the device gives the impression of a low-priced version of the "AYANEO KUN".

Overall size: 224 x 89.5 x 17 mm

The processor installed is the "MediaTek Dimensity1200," which is completely designed for mobile devices such as Android. The number of buttons is much smaller and simpler than that of "AYANEO KUN.

Cross keys and joystick on the left side, 4 buttons and another joystick on the right side

The main input devices are the cross-shaped keys on the left hand side, a joystick on each side, A/B/X/Y buttons on the right hand side, and four trigger buttons on the top (two on each side).

A total of four trigger buttons on the left and right upper surfaces

The "AYANEO Pocket AIR" is not equipped with the rear buttons that were present on the "AYANEO KUN. The grip connected to the left and right trigger buttons is also swollen to fit the palm of the hand, so it is less tiring to play for long periods of time.

The left and right edges of the back of the device are bulged to fit in the palm of the hand.

Equipped with a 5.5-inch 1080P AMOLED display

The display on this device is a 5.5-inch 1920 x 1080 AMOLED (OLED). In addition to an air-cooling system with a powerful fan, the device is also equipped with dual 6-axis gyroscopes that sense the device's movement; it is safe to say that the hardware performance is in a league of its own for an Android-compatible portable gaming device.

As some of you may have noticed, the color scheme of the device is "Retro White," a red and white color scheme reminiscent of the "Family Computer" game hardware of yesteryear. Depending on the generation, this color scheme may be a source of inspiration for some people.

Retro White" coloring reminiscent of the family computer

Playing games with "AYANEO Pocket AIR

Let's try playing some games with the "AYANEO Pocket AIR.

Open World RPG "Genshin Impact

First is the popular title "Genshin Impact. The mobile version of this game is known for its extremely heavy processing, and one measure of the processing speed of today's gaming devices is how well they can run this game.

The recommended specifications for the Android version of "Genshin Impact" are as follows

AYANEO Pocket AIR is available in two models, 8G/256G and 12G/512G, depending on the combination of memory and storage capacity, but if you want to play "Genshin Impact," you should use the higher-end 12G/512GB version. With the 256GB capacity, there is a possibility that you will run out of space before you know it if you download other games as well.

Also, installing "Genshin Impact" puts a heavy burden on the processor, which may cause excessive heat generation depending on the product, such as smartphones. However, the AYANEO Pocket AIR, with its solid airflow, did not seem to need to worry about this, and we did not find any problems with heat generation during downloading or subsequent play.

The 5.5-inch 1920 x 1080 AMOLED display has a positive impact on the game's visuals. Although 5.5 inches is not large for today's handheld gaming devices, it is more than adequate for the expressive power of the game. It is safe to say that the 5.5-inch screen is not large for today's handheld game consoles.

The ability to play "Genshin Impact" with the physical buttons is very nice. Since "Genshin Impact" is an action game, it is better to use the physical buttons for more reliable control. The buttons on the "AYANEO Pocket AIR" are much more comfortable than the touch display on a smartphone when playing for long periods of time.

Steam Remote Play" allows Steam games to be played in conjunction with a PC.

Next, let's try "Steam Remote Play," which allows you to play Steam games in conjunction with your PC, rather than mobile games for Android.

Action game "Mega ManX DiVE Offline"

The game we will play is "Mega ManX DiVE Offline" by Capcom. In addition to Steam, the game is also available for Android and iOS. This time we want to play this Steam version remotely using "Steam Remote Play".

What we need to look at here is the compatibility between the controls of "Mega ManX DiVE Offline," a traditional 2D action game, and the button layout of "AYANEO Pocket AIR.

The basic actions of the "Mega Man" series are much the same today as they have been in the past. Jumping, sliding, and attacking with the rockbuster. Some people may prefer to use the cross keys instead of the joystick. Of course, all these operations can be handled by the buttons on the "AYANEO Pocket AIR.

In the first place, "Mega Man" is easier to operate with physical buttons than with the touch screen of a smartphone. Therefore, the button layout of the "AYANEO Pocket AIR" is a perfect match.

Wireless communication with the PC is also excellent, and there was no delay even during intense action. The problem with remote play is the delay of the game, but if the network environment is good, there is no delay at all. The performance can be evaluated as "comfortable play.

Experiencing the high cooling performance

Through these test plays, we were again strongly impressed by the "low heat generation".

Mobile device processors are designed to automatically reduce processing performance when temperatures exceed a certain level in order to avoid excessive heat generation. In other words, "slowdown due to heat generation" is a self-protection function of the processor, but in the case of this device, the cooling system mentioned above seems to be working well, and I never felt that the device became so hot that it slowed down while playing a game (see ......). This is an excellent point. This is a great point.

Dual speakers built into a small body

The sound is also surprisingly full-fledged. According to the product introduction, the "HyperSound Stereo Dual Speaker" system incorporates dual-chamber speakers in this small body. I felt the power of the sound especially strongly when playing the above-mentioned "Mega ManX DiVE Offline.

Signs of a Rising Star

The AYANEO Pocket AIR is not yet officially available in Japan, but if it does land, it is likely to be a big hit. It may become a turning point in the "state of portable gaming devices.

Official release in Japan has not yet been decided.

AYANEO Pocket AIR" had been seeking investment through the crowdfunding site "Kibidango" until January. As of February 2024, when that period ended, the official sales schedule for this product in Japan has not yet been determined. The sales price has not been decided either.

The product is eagerly awaited for its official release as soon as possible.

Specifications

Official website: ##