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| The Ayaneo Pocket Block is expected to be cheaper than the Pocket Vert. |
After months of silence on the new product front, Ayaneo appears to be cooking up something fresh — and it’s a vertical handheld that trades glass for plastic, marked buttons for clarity, and a whole lot of SNES nostalgia.
The Chinese handheld maker hasn’t officially announced a new device since January’s Konkr Fit Windows handheld, which still hasn’t shipped to eager backers. But that hasn’t stopped the rumor mill from churning. Leaked renders and a recently surfaced product manual have now pulled back the curtain on what looks to be Ayaneo’s next release: the Ayaneo Pocket Block — or as some clues suggest, possibly a device codenamed “Bitwave.”
Let’s break down everything we know so far about this intriguing new vertical handheld.
From Manuals.plus to Renders: How the Pocket Block Leaked
The story begins with eagle-eyed handheld enthusiasts. The leak was first reported by RetroDeadFred, a known figure in the retro gaming and handheld community, who spotted a product listing on manuals.plus — a site that hosts user manuals for various electronics. The manual included several schematic-style images of an unannounced Ayaneo device.
But the real treasure came later. RetroDeadFred managed to obtain higher-quality renders from another undisclosed source. Those renders, however, labeled the device as “Bitwave” rather than Pocket Block.
“There’s a chance ‘Bitwave’ is a codename, since Ayaneo handhelds that actually fit into the pocket have ‘Pocket’ in their names,” RetroDeadFred noted in their post.
This naming theory holds water. Ayaneo’s existing compact lineup includes the Pocket Air, Pocket S, and the recently revealed Pocket Vert — all of which carry the “Pocket” prefix. So while the renders say Bitwave, expect the final retail name to be Ayaneo Pocket Block.
For a closer look at the original leak and the discussion around it, check out RetroDeadFred’s post here.
Design: A Cheaper, More Practical Alternative to the Pocket Vert
Ayaneo’s Pocket Vert was a head-turner when it was teased — a vertical handheld wrapped in glass front and back, with unmarked buttons that leaned hard into minimalist aesthetics. The Pocket Block appears to take a different, more pragmatic approach.
Plastic Shell, No Glass Back
The most obvious departure is materials. Where the Pocket Vert is covered in glass (front and back), the Pocket Block is made almost entirely of plastic — shell, buttons, and all. The only glass on the device is the display itself. That’s not necessarily a bad thing. A plastic body means lighter weight, better durability against drops, and likely a lower price point.
Below the screen sits a triple-slit grille, which the manual confirms houses a microphone. Next to that is the familiar AYA button (used for the AYAWindow interaction layer in Ayaneo’s Android-based OS), and on the far right edge of that bottom bezel is a power indicator LED.
Marked Buttons and SNES Vibes
One of the biggest complaints about the Pocket Vert was that its action buttons weren’t marked — a design choice that looked sleek but frustrated gamers who needed to quickly identify ABXY. Ayaneo seems to have listened.
The Pocket Block’s ABXY buttons are clearly marked with their letters. Even better, they’re surrounded by a pill-shaped outline that is instantly reminiscent of the Super Nintendo Entertainment System (SNES) controller — a subtle but welcome retro touch.
The D-Pad appears fairly large and positioned for comfort. Below the D-Pad are three large pill-shaped buttons. Two of these are standard Start and Select. The third button is simply labeled with an equals sign (“=”) .
What does “=” do? Since the device runs Android (more on that later), our best guess is that it functions as an overview or options button — similar to the multitasking or context menu button found on many Android devices. But until Ayaneo confirms, that remains speculation.
Button and Port Layout
The right side of the Pocket Block houses the power button and a volume rocker — a standard placement that feels natural for vertical handhelds.
The left side is more interesting. It includes:
- Two customizable buttons (likely mappable for shortcuts or emulator hotkeys)
- A microSD card slot for expandable storage
Flip the device over, and you’ll find a grille for heat dissipation directly behind the display area. That’s a smart inclusion for a device that will likely emulate higher-end systems.
The shoulder buttons are placed exactly where your index fingers naturally rest — no awkward reaching required.
Finally, the bottom edge features dual speakers flanking a USB-C port and a 3.5mm headphone jack. Yes, Ayaneo kept the headphone jack. Retro gamers, rejoice.
What About the Specs? (Not Yet, But Here’s What to Expect)
As of now, no technical specifications have been revealed for the Ayaneo Pocket Block. There’s no word on the processor, RAM, storage, battery capacity, or display resolution.
However, given that the device runs Android (evidenced by the “=” button and the AYA button’s functionality), and considering Ayaneo’s existing Pocket lineup, we can make some educated guesses:
- Chipset: Likely a Snapdragon or Unisoc Tiger series — possibly the Snapdragon 865 or 8 Gen 2 if Ayaneo aims for high-end emulation (PS2, GameCube, even some Switch). But the plastic build and “cheaper alternative” positioning suggest something more mid-range, maybe a Snapdragon 7-series or Unisoc T618/T820.
- Display: Probably 4 to 5 inches, 480p or 720p — vertical handhelds typically don’t need 1080p for retro games.
- Battery: Likely in the 4,000–5,000 mAh range.
We’ll have to wait for Ayaneo’s official announcement or further leaks for concrete specs. Given the company’s typical cadence, that could come within weeks.
Why the Pocket Block Makes Sense Right Now
Ayaneo has been unusually quiet on the new product front for months. The Konkr Fit, announced in January 2025 (note: this article assumes a 2025/2026 timeframe based on the tweet’s status ID), still hasn’t shipped. Crowdfunding and pre-order delays have become common in the handheld space, but Ayaneo has historically kept the hype train rolling with steady reveals.
So why the silence? Possibly because the company is shifting focus back to affordable, accessible designs. The Pocket Vert, with its glass build and unmarked buttons, felt like a premium niche product. The Pocket Block, by contrast, screams “mass appeal” — durable plastic, clearly labeled controls, retro design cues, and a vertical form factor that’s perfect for Game Boy, NES, SNES, and PlayStation emulation.
Vertical handhelds have seen a resurgence thanks to devices like the Anbernic RG405V, Powkiddy RGB20S, and Ayaneo’s own Pocket Vert. But many of those either cut corners on build quality or went too premium. The Pocket Block could hit the sweet spot: affordable but not cheap, retro-inspired but modern-feeling.
The Bigger Picture: Ayaneo’s 2026 Roadmap
While the Pocket Block appears to be in the late stages of design (complete with manuals and renders), it’s unclear when Ayaneo will officially announce it. The company is still working through Konkr Fit production and shipping logistics. Launching another handheld too close to that release could cannibalize sales.
That said, Ayaneo loves to surprise. They’ve announced multiple devices in a single year before — the Pocket Air, Pocket S, and Pocket Vert all landed within months of each other. A late 2026 or early 2027 release for the Pocket Block seems plausible.
And let’s not forget the “Bitwave” codename. Ayaneo has used codenames before — the Pocket S was internally known as something else. Bitwave might point to a focus on wave-based connectivity (like improved Wi-Fi or Bluetooth) or simply a random internal moniker. Either way, the renders are consistent enough that we’re confident this device is real.
Final Thoughts: A Promising Contender for Retro Fans
The Ayaneo Pocket Block isn’t trying to reinvent the wheel. It’s not a foldable, not a clamshell, not a 4K powerhouse. Instead, it looks like a thoughtfully designed vertical handheld that fixes the Pocket Vert’s biggest flaws (unmarked buttons, fragile glass) while adding welcome touches like customizable side buttons, a headphone jack, and SNES-style button surrounds.
For retro gamers who want a dedicated device for Game Boy Advance, SNES, PlayStation 1, and maybe even some Dreamcast or N64 on the go, the Pocket Block could be exactly what they’ve been waiting for — especially if Ayaneo prices it competitively.
We’ll be keeping a close eye on manuals.plus, RetroDeadFred’s feed, and Ayaneo’s official channels for any mention of specs, pricing, or a release date. In the meantime, the renders and manual images paint a compelling picture of a handheld that prioritizes practicality over prestige — and sometimes, that’s exactly what the retro gaming community needs.
What do you think of the Ayaneo Pocket Block? Would you buy a plastic vertical handheld with marked buttons and an SNES-inspired look? Drop your thoughts below — and stay tuned for updates as this story develops.
Disclosure: This article is based on leaked renders and a product manual. Ayaneo has not officially confirmed the Pocket Block or Bitwave. Specifications and final design may change before release.
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| The Ayaneo Pocket Block isn't covered in glass like the Pocket Vert. |
