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| The Pocket Play will be powered by an old flagship SoC. Pictured: a promo picture showing the black version of the gaming phone. |
Gamers, get ready to slide into a new era of mobile play. Ayaneo has just dropped a crucial piece of the puzzle for its highly anticipated Xperia Play-inspired gaming phone, the Pocket Play. After teasing its unique slide-out design last year, the company has now officially confirmed the beating heart of the device: the MediaTek Dimensity 9300 chipset.
This announcement, detailed in a recent teaser on Ayaneo's official Weibo channel, solidifies the Pocket Play’s ambition to be a serious contender in the handheld Android space. But the choice of processor is already sparking conversations among emulation enthusiasts.
The Power Play: Dimensity 9300 Takes the Stage
The Dimensity 9300 is MediaTek’s all-out flagship chip from 2023, known for its raw CPU power and unique all-big-core architecture. Ayaneo’s decision to equip the Pocket Play with this silicon confirms it’s targeting peak performance. The company points out that Mali GPU driver support and emulation performance have seen significant improvements recently, suggesting they’re confident in the experience.
However, the reveal comes with a side of debate. Many in the community can’t help but wonder: would the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 from the same year have been the better pick? Qualcomm’s Adreno GPUs have traditionally enjoyed broader support from emulator developers, often leading to better compatibility and performance in demanding titles. A device like the Pocket Play, built explicitly for retro and cloud gaming, lives or dies by its emulation prowess.
For a closer look at the official specs and teaser imagery, you can check out Ayaneo's detailed announcement here: Ayaneo Reveals Pocket Play SoC and Control Details.
The Main Attraction: Slide-Out Tactile Controls
Beyond the chipset, Ayaneo is doubling down on what makes the Pocket Play unique: its slide-out gaming controls. The latest teaser highlights the tactile ABXY buttons and D-pad, promising a physical, clicky feedback that virtual touchscreen controls can’t match.
Interestingly, Ayaneo is also incorporating a smart touchpad above the buttons, which can double as a virtual analog stick for precision aiming. It’s a clever solution for a slim slide-out design, though it inevitably invites comparison. As Ayaneo itself notes, dedicated physical joysticks – like those found on excellent add-on controllers such as the 8BitDo Ultimate Mobile Controller – typically offer a more intuitive and responsive experience for 3D games.
When Can We Get Our Hands On It?
Patience will be key for eager fans. Ayaneo has recently announced a delay in the crowdfunding campaign for the Pocket Play. The reason? A company-wide restructuring to place a major emphasis on improving customer support. While a delay is never welcome news, a focus on better post-purchase service is a promising sign for potential backers.
With core specs like the display and SoC now public, the timeline is coming into focus. While no firm date is set, it’s highly likely we’ll see the Ayaneo Pocket Play launch and begin shipping within the first half of 2026.
What do you think? Is the MediaTek Dimensity 9300 the right choice for a flagship gaming handheld, or will the lack of Snapdragon-level emulation optimization hold it back? Let us know in the comments below.
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| The SoC reveal announcement of the Pocket Play |