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| The Ayaneo Pocket Air Mini now costs more than it did when it launched. |
If you’ve been eyeing the AyaNeo Pocket Air Mini as your entry ticket into the world of high-quality retro gaming, you might want to pull the trigger sooner rather than later. AyaNeo has just confirmed a price increase for its cheapest and most accessible handheld yet, citing the rising costs of components.
A few weeks ago, we reported that AyaNeo was feeling the heat from the global market due to the skyrocketing prices of RAM and storage components. Unfortunately, that pressure has now trickled down to the Pocket Air Mini.
According to a statement issued by AyaNeo on their official Weibo, the company has officially raised the price of the Pocket Air Mini lineup in its home market. The news was shared via the following announcement:
Official AyaNeo Statement
The price adjustment takes effect today, April 9, impacting the entire line of Android-based retro handhelds. The baseline 2GB RAM + 32GB storage model has moved from CNY 599 (~$87) to CNY 699 (~$102). Similarly, the 3GB RAM + 64GB storage configuration has jumped from CNY 699 to CNY 799 (~$117). If you are a fan of the quirky yellow design, the B.Duck special edition is also taking a hit, rising from CNY 799 to CNY 899 (~$131).
This roughly translates to a $15 increase across the board—a modest bump, but a notable one for a device that relied heavily on its "budget king" status.
What About the Global Version?
For those of us outside of China, the situation is a little different—but not necessarily safer. As of the time of writing, the global version listed on AyaNeo’s official website still shows the original MSRP: $89.99 for the base model and $99.99 for the 3GB version. The B.Duck edition is currently listed at $119.99.
However, AyaNeo has not yet confirmed if the global prices will remain untouched. Given that the Chinese market—which usually has lower local pricing—has already seen an increase, it is likely only a matter of time before the international price tags get updated.
For now, if you want to secure the device before a potential global price adjustment, your best bet is Amazon. While the base model appears to be out of stock on the official AyaNeo website, you can find the B.Duck special edition available on Amazon for $119.99.
Why the Price Hike?
This isn't just an AyaNeo problem. The entire handheld industry is currently wrestling with volatile supply chains. Over the past few months, the cost of memory chips has spiked due to global demand, forcing several manufacturers to either discontinue models or raise prices just to keep production sustainable.
Despite the price increase, the Pocket Air Mini remains one of the best-looking retro handhelds on the market. It features a sharp 4.2-inch LCD display with a 1280x960 resolution and a perfect 4:3 aspect ratio, making it an absolute dream for playing classic PlayStation and Nintendo 64 titles. Powered by the MediaTek Helio G90T chipset, it strikes a great balance between battery efficiency and emulation performance.
Final Take
It is always a bummer when a device gets more expensive, but AyaNeo has assured buyers that existing orders will be honored at the original price. If you were on the fence about picking up this charming little retro machine, the window of opportunity at the old price might be closing fast.
You can check the current stock and pricing for the global version directly on the [official AyaNeo website] or grab the B.Duck edition on Amazon while supplies last.
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| Specifications of the Ayaneo Pocket Air Mini. |