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| Ayaneo confirms a successor to the Pocket Micro (pictured) is coming. |
It’s been more than two years since Ayaneo first wowed retro gaming fans with the Pocket Micro, an Android-powered handheld that wore its Game Boy Micro inspiration on its sleeve. Since then, the company has refined the formula, released budget-friendly variants, and kept the rumor mill spinning. Now, Ayaneo has finally confirmed what many enthusiasts have been hoping for: a true successor called the Pocket Micro 2 is officially on its way.
The announcement quietly landed across Ayaneo’s social media channels over the weekend, and while it stopped short of showing actual images of the horizontal handheld, the teaser text alone has been enough to spark intense speculation. According to the company, the Pocket Micro 2 will pack “a more powerful processor” than the MediaTek Helio G99 found inside the original Pocket Micro and the budget-oriented Pocket Micro Classic.
For context, the Helio G99 is no slouch – it handles PSP, Dreamcast, and even some lighter Switch emulation with grace. But Ayaneo’s wording suggests they’re aiming higher. If we had to put money on it, the most likely candidate is the Snapdragon G2 Gen 2, the same chip that powered the short-lived Retroid Pocket G2 before it was abruptly discontinued. That chipset would bring better driver support, improved GPU efficiency, and smoother performance for higher-end Android games and emulators.
What We Know So Far (And What We’re Guessing)
| Feature | Pocket Micro (Original) | Pocket Micro 2 (Rumored) |
|---|---|---|
| Processor | MediaTek Helio G99 | Snapdragon G2 Gen 2 (likely) |
| Thumbsticks | Yes (dual) | Expected to return |
| Shell Material | Aluminum + glass front | Likely same premium build |
| Screen | 3.5-inch IPS | Unknown (hopefully 4-inch+) |
| OS | Android 13 | Android (likely 14 or higher) |
Of course, Ayaneo hasn’t confirmed any of those specs yet. The teaser deliberately keeps things vague, but the promise of “more power” is enough to get the community buzzing. The original Pocket Micro launched on Amazon for $239.99 and quickly became a favorite among gamers who wanted something smaller than an Anbernic RG405M but more premium than a Retroid Pocket 2S. The Pocket Micro 2 will almost certainly cost more – but if it brings flagship-level performance in a sub-4-inch package, many will happily pay the premium.
A Curious Side-Project: The Ayaneo Bitwave
Just last month, a mysterious horizontal handheld called the Ayaneo Bitwave appeared online, courtesy of leaked renders and a few FCC filings. Sporting a polycarbonate (plastic) case and – notably – no thumbsticks, the Bitwave looks like a stripped-back version of the Pocket Micro Classic. Some wondered if it might be the Pocket Micro 2 in disguise, but that seems unlikely. The original Pocket Micro is defined by its premium aluminum unibody and glossy glass front. Ayaneo would be foolish to abandon that design language for a successor.
Instead, the Bitwave is widely believed to be an even more affordable entry point – possibly launching under Ayaneo’s Konkr sub-brand, which focuses on budget-friendly devices. If the Pocket Micro Classic removed thumbsticks to hit a lower price point, the Bitwave could remove the aluminum shell and glass front to go even lower. Think of it as the “Nintendo Switch Lite” to the Pocket Micro’s standard Switch. We expect Ayaneo to officially unveil the Bitwave alongside the Pocket Micro 2 during a live sharing session in the coming weeks.
We’ve embedded the original teaser announcement below – you can see Ayaneo’s exact wording for yourself.
👉 Ayaneo’s official Pocket Micro 2 teaser on X (Twitter)
Don’t Forget the Konkr Pocket Block
The Pocket Micro 2 isn’t the only iron Ayaneo has in the fire. Back in May, the company teased a vertical handheld called the Konkr Pocket Block. Designed to compete with devices like the Anbernic RG35XX H and Miyoo Mini+, the Pocket Block has a classic Game Boy-style vertical orientation and a surprisingly modern spec sheet – at least according to the early renders.
Unfortunately, Ayaneo has been tight-lipped about the Pocket Block ever since. No processor details, no price, no release window. Some speculate it will use an older Unisoc T610 or Tiger T618 to keep costs down, while others hope for a Snapdragon 6-series chip. Given that the Konkr brand is meant for value-focused products, don’t expect the Pocket Block to rival the Pocket Micro 2 in raw power. But for fans of vertical handhelds (and there are many), it could be a compelling option if priced right.
Why the Pocket Micro 2 Matters Right Now
The Android handheld market has become surprisingly crowded in 2025. Ayn’s Odin 2 series dominates the high end, Retroid’s Pocket 5 and Pocket 5 Mini are duking it out in the mid-range, and Anbernic releases what feels like a new device every other month. But very few companies are focusing on the ultra-portable segment – handhelds with screens smaller than 4 inches that can still play GameCube, PS2, and Android native games.
That’s exactly where the Pocket Micro 2 aims to sit. The original Pocket Micro measured roughly the size of a deck of cards, making it one of the most pocketable Android handhelds ever made. If the sequel can deliver 1.5x the performance while keeping the same footprint, Ayaneo will have a genuine winner on its hands. The lack of thumbsticks on the Classic model was a controversial move, but the Pocket Micro 2 is expected to bring them back – along with improved ergonomics and maybe even Hall-effect joysticks.
When Can You Buy One?
Ayaneo hasn’t announced a release date yet, but the company typically follows a pattern: teaser → live stream → Indiegogo crowdfunding campaign → retail launch. Based on that timeline, we could see the Pocket Micro 2 hit crowdfunding by late Q3 2025, with first units shipping before the end of the year. The original Pocket Micro raised over $800,000 on Indiegogo, so there’s clearly demand.
Pricing is anyone’s guess. The Pocket Micro Classic currently sells for around $199, while the original Pocket Micro (with thumbsticks and more RAM) launched at $239. Given the expected processor upgrade and inflation, don’t be surprised if the Pocket Micro 2 starts at $279–$299. That would put it in direct competition with the Retroid Pocket 4 Pro, but the Micro 2 would offer a much smaller form factor in exchange for a slightly smaller screen.
The Bottom Line
Ayaneo is playing its cards close to the chest, but the teaser alone is enough to get excited about. The Pocket Micro 2 promises to fix the one criticism of the original – performance – while keeping everything fans loved: the premium build, the compact horizontal design, and that gorgeous glass front. Whether the Bitwave and Pocket Block will join it in 2025 remains to be seen, but one thing is clear: Ayaneo isn’t done shaking up the retro handheld space.
We’ll update this article as soon as Ayaneo announces a live sharing session. In the meantime, if you’re itching for a premium small handheld right now, the original Pocket Micro is still a fantastic option – you can grab it on Amazon for $239.99 while waiting for the sequel.
What do you think – is the Pocket Micro 2 worth the wait, or are you happy with your current handheld? Drop your thoughts in the comments (and yes, we’ll be watching Ayaneo’s X feed closely for more clues).
Sources: Ayaneo official social media, FCC listings, community speculation.
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| Ayaneo teases Pocket Micro 2 horizontal handheld. |