With Android and a Qualcomm chip, they’re looking to compete with the Steam Deck and the Asus ROG Ally

Ayaneo draws the first: the first Android console equipped with the Qualcomm Snapdragon G3x Gen 2 SoC will be the Pocket S.

It was expected, it is here: Ayaneo, a Chinese manufacturer, unveils the Pocket S, a portable console-PC that risks overshadowing its direct competitors such as the Razer Edge and the Logitech G Cloud. If until now, the competition was mainly played with the Steam Deck and the Asus ROG Ally, the Pocket S falls into another category: consoles under Android.

It is interesting to note that the Pocket S is based on the SoC (System on Chip) Qualcomm Snapdragon G3x Gen 2, a new version that Razer has not yet exploited, preferring to confine itself to the first generation for its Edge just marketed in France.

The advantages of the Snapdragon G3x Gen 2

What makes this SoC so special? Featuring eight CPU cores, it promises smooth performance. But the real asset lies in its graphics solution, the Adreno A32. This combination guarantees games with excellent fluidity, regardless of their graphic requirements.

Although it is an Android console, the Pocket S is not only dedicated to Android games. Its versatility allows it to support retro emulators and offer an optimal cloud gaming experience, compatible with services such as Steam Remote Play, Nvidia GeForce Now, Xbox Game Pass Cloud or Shadow. Not to mention, compatibility with Android applications which confirms its position as a versatile machine.

In terms of design, the Pocket S is largely inspired by the format of the Nintendo Switch. All the buttons, triggers and sticks are cleverly integrated into it, surrounded by thin borders reminiscent of their previous creation, the Ayaneo 2S.

The openings visible on the pictures suggest the presence of an active cooling system with fans, comparable to that of the Razer Edge.

Towards a promising future?

With Qualcomm having worked hand in hand with Ayaneo, the Pocket S is envisaged as the reference platform for this category of machines. Users can therefore expect considerable optimizations in terms of performance. However, although described as “a pocket computer”, it is more reminiscent of an Android tablet with dedicated gaming buttons.

There is still a lot to discover, including the final specifications and the price of this new machine.