 |
| The Ayaneo Pocket Play in black. |
In a move that bridges nostalgic design with modern mobile gaming power, Ayaneo has dropped significant new details about its first-ever smartphone, the Ayaneo Pocket Play. Known for its popular lineup of Android gaming handhelds, the company is now taking direct aim at the dedicated gaming phone market with a device that openly nods to a cult classic: the Sony Xperia Play.
Following an initial design tease, the latest reveal zeroes in on the screen—a critical component for any serious gaming device. According to an official social media poster, the Pocket Play will be outfitted with a sizable 6.8-inch OLED display boasting a 2400 x 1080 resolution. This puts it slightly larger than the screen on the recent ASUS ROG Phone 9 Pro, though matching its FHD+ sharpness.
Where it aims to pull ahead is in smoothness. Ayaneo has equipped the Pocket Play with a blistering 165Hz refresh rate. This gives it a tangible spec advantage over competitors like the RedMagic 11 Pro, which maxes out at 144Hz. For fast-paced titles, every extra frame counts, and Ayaneo is clearly pushing for the upper hand. You can check out that competing device for comparison on Amazon.
 |
| The Ayaneo Pocket Play will have a 165Hz refresh rate. |
But the revelations aren't just about numbers. A newly shared image of the phone in use reveals a bold, retro-futuristic design choice. In an era of disappearing bezels and hole-punch cameras, the Ayaneo Pocket Play is sporting a noticeably thick chin at the bottom of its display. More intriguingly, there's no front camera cutout on the screen itself. Instead, Ayaneo has resurrected a substantial top bezel to house the selfie camera and earpiece speaker. This design likely serves a dual purpose: offering an unimpeded, immersive view for gaming and potentially providing a more comfortable grip landscape mode.
While the final product isn't slated to hit the market until next year, Ayaneo is getting a head start on gauging interest. True to its established modus operandi, the company has set up a Kickstarter page for the Pocket Play. Ayaneo has successfully funded numerous handhelds through crowdfunding, and this smartphone venture appears to be following the same playbook. The campaign isn't live yet, but potential backers can expect it to launch soon. For the most official specs and renders, keep an eye on the Ayaneo product page.
 |
| The Ayaneo Pocket Play has thick top and bottom bezels. |
In related news, Ayaneo's hardware ambitions extend beyond the phone. The company has also teased a Ayaneo Gaming Pad, a dedicated gaming tablet currently in development. Details have been scarce since its initial mention, suggesting 2025 could be a big year for the brand's expansion into new mobile gaming form factors.
The Ayaneo Pocket Play shapes up to be a fascinating entry in the gaming phone arena. It combines top-tier display specs for competitive play with a distinctive, purpose-driven design that dares to be different. If you're keen to support its journey from concept to reality, the upcoming Kickstarter campaign will be the place to watch.