In the fiercely competitive world of retro gaming handhelds, companies typically choose one of two paths: affordable accessibility or uncompromising premium quality. Ayaneo, however, seems determined to blaze its own trail, and its latest project is a direct shot across the bow of the industry's most revered names. After a tantalizing initial announcement in July, the company has finally pulled back the curtain on the Pocket Vert, a vertical handheld that isn't just aiming to compete—it's aiming to redefine what a retro device can be.
Positioned as the spiritual successor to last year's Pocket DMG, the Pocket Vert enters a space crowded with popular devices like the Retroid Pocket Classic. But in a new teaser video, Ayaneo makes its ambitions crystal clear: this is not a device for the budget-conscious. This is a luxury instrument for the discerning gamer, and it draws a direct line of comparison to the hallowed Analogue Pocket.
A Display to Rival the Very Best
The centerpiece of any great retro handheld is its screen, and this is where the Pocket Vert makes its first bold statement. Ayaneo has confirmed the device will feature a stunning 3.5-inch IPS display with a native resolution of 1600 x 1440. This pixel density results in an astronomical 615 PPI (Pixels Per Inch).
For those in the know, those specs are instantly familiar. They are identical to the legendary screen found in the Analogue Pocket, widely considered the gold standard for playing classic Game Boy, Game Boy Color, and Game Boy Advance titles. The clarity, color accuracy, and sharpness of this panel are unparalleled, allowing for incredibly crisp integer scaling of retro games without any blurry filters. If Ayaneo has indeed sourced the same panel, or one that is truly comparable, the Pocket Vert will immediately establish itself as a top-tier device for visual purists.
Crafted from Metal: The Premium Feel
But a beautiful screen is only part of the story. Where the Pocket Vert truly diverges from the pack and even the standard Analogue Pocket is in its construction. Ayaneo has crafted the Pocket Vert's housing from CNC aluminium, a process that involves milling a solid block of metal to create a unibody chassis. This is the same technique used by brands like Anbernic for its RG477M and, more notably, by Analogue itself for its limited and notoriously expensive $499.99 Aluminium Edition of the Pocket.
The teaser video showcases this manufacturing prowess, highlighting the device's sleek lines and impeccable finish. Adding to the premium feel are the meticulously machined diamond-cut shoulder buttons, a small but significant detail that screams high-end craftsmanship. This combination of materials and finishing strongly suggests that the Pocket Vert will command a premium price, likely placing it in a different league than its plastic-bodied competitors.
The Analogue Pocket, But Supercharged?
Visually, the Pocket Vert is a dead ringer for the Analogue Pocket's iconic vertical design, and that's certainly by design. However, the fundamental difference between the two devices could be their core philosophy. The Analogue Pocket is a masterpiece of FPGA hardware, designed for perfect hardware-level replication of original consoles.
Ayaneo's approach with the Pocket series has been based on emulation through more traditional chipsets. While the company has yet to officially reveal the silicon powering the Pocket Vert, they have dropped a significant hint: the device is capable of emulating Game Boy games at a 10x resolution. This level of upscaling power strongly implies that the Pocket Vert will be significantly more potent than Ayaneo's own MediaTek Helio G99-powered devices like the Pocket Micro.
This opens up a world of possibilities. A more powerful chipset wouldn't just handle classic 8 and 16-bit systems with ease; it could comfortably emulate later consoles like the PlayStation Portable (PSP), Nintendo DS, and even certain Nintendo 64 and PlayStation 1 games at enhanced resolutions. This potential for a broader emulation scope, combined with the Analogue Pocket-tier screen, is a compelling proposition.
The Lingering Questions
For all the exciting details, Ayaneo is still keeping a few critical cards close to its chest. The official pricing and release date remain a mystery, though the premium materials all but guarantee a cost far above budget handhelds like the Retroid Pocket Classic (currently available for $134 on Amazon).
Check the current price of the Retroid Pocket Classic on Amazon to see the competition.
The unanswered question of the chipset is also huge. The final price and performance will live or die by this component. Will Ayaneo use a high-end MediaTek Dimensity processor, a Snapdragon chip, or something else entirely?
The Verdict: A New Premium Contender Emerges
The Ayaneo Pocket Vert is shaping up to be one of the most intriguing handhelds of the year. It looks set to combine the best-in-class display of the Analogue Pocket with the versatile power of an Android-based emulation machine, all wrapped in a luxurious metal shell. Ayaneo is not just creating another retro handheld; it is attempting to create the ultimate fusion of form, function, and fidelity. If the company can nail the performance, software, and—crucially—the price, the Pocket Vert may well become the new aspirational device for retro gaming enthusiasts worldwide.
The creation for retro handheld enthusiasts 🔥#AYANEO Pocket VERT
— AYANEO (@AYANEO__) November 5, 2025
Crafted for vertical retro handheld lovers
CNC-machined body
Diamond-cut shoulder buttons
3.5" LCD, 1600×1440, 615 PPI
A premium collectible for retro gamers
Coming Soon🎮
The video 🔗 ⬇️https://t.co/6nNZ2Gakhl pic.twitter.com/4ScJhWWPuM
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