The wait for one of the most ambitious gaming handhelds on the horizon might finally be coming to an end. After a development cycle filled with significant revisions, Ayaneo has shared fresh insights into its behemoth project, the Next II. Newly surfaced footage suggests this isn't just another portable PC; it's a statement piece that pushes the very boundaries of what a handheld can be.
For those who haven't followed its journey, the Ayaneo Next II was first announced back in mid-2022. Since its initial debut, it has been a project in constant evolution. The company has been remarkably transparent about the device's turbulent path, which has included everything from full physical redesigns to fundamental switches in its processor architecture. This willingness to go back to the drawing board has built anticipation, but also left many wondering when—or if—the device would ever materialize.
While Ayaneo's official line remains that the Next II is "coming soon," a recent and detailed video from Frandroid offers the most compelling evidence yet that a launch is imminent. The device isn't just in a prototype stage; it appears to be a near-finished product, giving us our clearest look yet at its staggering proportions and potential.
A New King of Size: Dwarfing the Competition
If there's one immediate takeaway from the new visuals, it's the sheer scale of the Ayaneo Next II. The handheld gaming market has seen its share of large devices, but the Next II seems poised to claim the crown.
To put it in perspective, let's consider Ayaneo's own current flagship for size, the Kun. The Kun is a massive device, featuring an 8.4-inch display and dimensions of 325 mm wide by 140 mm tall. It already overshadows popular models like the ASUS ROG Ally, the Steam Deck, and even the Lenovo Legion Go, which itself packs an 8-inch screen. The Next II, based on side-by-side comparisons, looks to be even larger than the Kun.
This immense footprint comes with inevitable heft. The Kun weighs in at over 900 grams, and given the Next II's expanded dimensions, it's highly unlikely it will tip the scales at anything less than a full kilogram. This positions it firmly in the "desktop replacement" category—a device you'll likely want to rest on your lap or a table during extended gaming sessions.
For a true sense of its imposing presence, the recent hands-on video is essential viewing.
Raw Power Justifies the Bulk
Why create such a colossal handheld? The answer lies in the hardware it's designed to house. Ayaneo is using every cubic millimeter of the Next II's chassis to accommodate a next-generation AMD Strix Halo APU. This isn't the same class of chip found in most current handhelds; it's a high-performance platform designed to deliver desktop-class gaming performance in a mobile form factor.
We're looking at APUs like the rumored Ryzen AI Max+ 395, which are also slated for competitors like the OneXFly Apex and GPD Win 5. This chipset represents a significant leap forward, with a vastly more powerful integrated GPU that aims to compete with discrete mobile graphics cards. For the Next II, this means the potential to play the most demanding AAA titles at high settings and smooth frame rates, a feat that current handhelds can only achieve with compromises.
This strategic move aligns with a growing niche in the market: gamers who want the flexibility of a handheld without sacrificing the peak performance of a desktop or high-end laptop. While devices like the Lenovo Legion Go (curr. $693 on Amazon) offer a fantastic balance of screen size and portability, the Ayaneo Next II is targeting an audience for whom raw power is the ultimate priority.
The Final Verdict: An Impending Titan
The Ayaneo Next II is shaping up to be a fascinating and niche-shattering device. It's no longer just a teased concept but a tangible piece of engineering that's almost ready for prime time. Its monumental size will certainly make it a divisive product, but for the segment of gamers craving maximum performance in a (theoretically) portable package, it could very well be the holy grail.
The final details on pricing, battery life, and thermals remain under wraps, but the message is clear: Ayaneo is not just iterating; it's attempting to redefine the high-end ceiling for PC gaming handhelds. The launch can't come soon enough for power users eager to see if this titan can deliver on its immense promise.
