Ayaneo Pocket Micro: One-minute overview
The Ayaneo Pocket Micro actually must be held in your arms to be believed. It’s an extremely small Android pill, weighing below 9oz / 250g and coming in at simply 6.1 x 2.5 x 0.71in / 156 x 63 x 18mm, with in-built thumbsticks, D-pad, face buttons, and shoulder inputs. It sports activities a colourful 960 x 640 3.5in IPS touchscreen75, in a 3:2 facet ratio that’s good for enjoying Recreation Boy Advance video games.
It’s no secret that this has been designed as an emulation handheld at first, because it even comes with a customized Android launcher and Ayaneo app suite helpful for importing a variety of retro video games – even when it’s a bit jagged and unpolished at instances. Hyperlinks to prime emulators on the Google Play Retailer, plus the easy-to-access microSD card slot, make it surprisingly easy to get a library filled with video games up and operating.
Diving into Recreation Boy Advance classics like The Legend of Zelda: A Hyperlink to the Previous and Pokémon Ruby is a deal with, thanks in no small half to the splendidly responsive controls. In case you’ve ever tried your hand at cell emulation, you’ll know that touchscreen inputs really feel nowhere close to nearly as good as the true factor. The buttons and D-pad listed here are pleasantly delicate, with a spongy really feel paying homage to the Nintendo 2DS. GBA video games run completely and look sublimely crisp. This even contains extra demanding titles that skirted with 3D visuals, just like the open-world crime caper Driver 3.
Whereas Recreation Boy titles are the main focus because of the scale of the show, the Ayaneo Pocket Micro can be able to emulating a variety of different methods. Efficiency does start to undergo if you happen to try something extra superior than a PSP, nevertheless, which is to be anticipated given the usage of the extra budget-oriented Helio G99 chipset.
That is additionally the story with native Android gaming. Easy 2D experiences like Stardew Valley or the Vampire Survivors-like 20 Minutes Until Daybreak run beautifully, whereas complicated 3D worlds like these in Genshin Influence or Zenless Zone Zero trigger body charges to tumble. It’s additionally arduous to disregard the standard of the audio system that are fairly poor. It’s cheap to anticipate these sorts of cutbacks at this worth level, however the muddy audio makes headphones nearly a necessity even once you’re gaming at dwelling.
Ayaneo Pocket Micro: Worth and availability
- Presently obtainable by way of IndieGogo
- Costs begin at $189 (round £153) by way of early fowl pricing
- Retail costs begin at $219 (round £177)
The Ayaneo Pocket Micro is presently solely obtainable by way of IndieGogo.
A fundamental mannequin with 6GB of RAM and 128GB of storage will set you again $189 (round £153) by way of early fowl pricing, or $219 (round £177) at retail. You can even seize a extra premium model with 8GB of RAM and 256GB of storage beginning at $249 (round £202) by way of early fowl pricing, or $279 (round £226) at retail. IndieGogo will ship to a variety of areas, however simply keep in mind that costs can range relying on the present trade price.
A number of colours can be found for every model. The extra reasonably priced variant is available in a cute crimson or smooth black, whereas the extra premium mannequin is obtainable in black or a clearly Recreation & Watch-inspired gold and maroon.
This worth is definitely not an enormous quantity to pay for an Android pill, not to mention one with a specialist design like this. It’s roughly the identical worth as different fashionable Recreation Boy successors, just like the premium Analogue Pocket which begins at $129.99 (round £174), so a fairly good worth proposition on the entire.
Ayaneo Pocket Micro: Specs
| Worth | $189 / round £153 (6GB + 128GB) / $219 / round £177 (8GB + 256GB) |
| Dimensions | 6.1 x 2.5 x 0.71 in / 156 x 63 x 18 mm |
| Weight | 8.21 oz / 233 g |
| CPU | MediaTek Helio G99 |
| GPU | MediaTek Helio G99 |
| Reminiscence | 6GB / 8GB |
| Storage | 128GB / 256GB |
| Storage enlargement | microSD Card |
Ayaneo Pocket Micro: Design and options
- Very sturdy metallic shell
- Nice buttons and D-pad
- Full Android performance
Whenever you take the Ayaneo Pocket Micro out of the field, the very first thing you’ll most likely discover is that it’s constructed like a tank. I examined an early manufacturing pattern, however you wouldn’t realize it from the standard of the general really feel. It’s constructed utilizing a CNC aluminum alloy body, lending the skin of the pill an extremely sturdy really feel. It appears significantly extra sturdy than the likes of the Nintendo Change Lite, and will most likely go face to face with the brick-like authentic Recreation Boy in a drop take a look at – although for apparent causes I wasn’t too eager to check that.
The again of the pill is plastic, which helps preserve the load at a manageable 8.21oz / 233g. My mannequin got here within the black colorway, so the entrance is a clear black with a bezel-less 3.5-inch display screen. To the left of the display screen, you’ll discover the well-sized D-pad and left thumbstick. On the best are the face buttons (within the conventional Nintendo structure) and the best thumbstick. Each thumbsticks are very small however are nonetheless able to greater than sufficient movement for 3D gaming.
Beneath all of that, there are two units of small rectangular buttons. The primary set serves as the beginning and choose button in video games, whereas the others are an ‘Aya Button’ (which calls up a floating settings menu) and a button that returns you to the system’s dwelling display screen.
On the highest of the console, there are 4 shoulder buttons, an influence button with an built-in fingerprint reader (a wonderful function that saves you from having to enter passwords on the tiny little display screen), and a easy quantity rocker. That’s not all, although, because the console’s flat proper aspect includes a devoted dwelling button and a mappable ‘RC’ button.
If you wish to increase your storage, there’s a microSD card slot on the left-hand aspect below a bit rubber flap. No microSD card is included, so you’ll need to supply your personal. I discovered that it was extremely tough to insert a card on my mannequin, because the flap was troublesome to open and the cardboard itself simply didn’t appear to click on into place correctly. Fortunately, Ayaneo states that it is a identified subject with pre-production variations of the gadget and ought to be ironed out by the point you get your arms on one.
As you may anticipate, there may be your common USB-C port for charging on the underside of the system.
When it comes to total options, the Ayaneo Pocket Micro is a fully-fledged Android pill. You’ll be able to obtain apps utilizing the Google Play Retailer, although the small display screen will make it troublesome to carry out duties like messaging, doc enhancing, and so forth. Gaming is certainly the place this gadget shines, and the customized Ayaneo software program is designed to make sure a easy gaming expertise. Hyperlinks to really helpful emulators (each paid and free) are simple to entry from the AyaSpace app and the system’s in-built controls have been instantly acknowledged by each one that I attempted.
Ayaneo Pocket Micro: Efficiency
- Good for Recreation Boy emulation
- Additionally performs fundamental cell video games
- Audio system are poor
The Ayaneo Pocket Micro excels at Recreation Boy emulation. Each GB, GBC, and GBA recreation that I examined ran completely. Operating at 4x the unique Recreation Boy Advance decision, the image is extremely crisp. Whereas not OLED, the colours of the IPS display screen are nonetheless very vibrant with nice viewing angles which might be well-suited to moveable play. The display screen can be brilliant sufficient for use comfortably open air with none glare.
You’ll start to come across some efficiency points if you happen to try extra intensive emulation, nevertheless. PlayStation 2 titles are hit-and-miss and I discovered that the display screen dimension really made it troublesome to work out what was happening in detailed environments just like the open world of Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas. PSP video games ran acceptably too, however once more the display screen dimension made it troublesome to learn tutorial textual content within the likes of God of Battle: Chains of Olympus.
Trying to emulate newer consoles leads to a stuttery, laggy mess however that’s to be anticipated given the comparatively modest chipset right here. That is undoubtedly one to purchase if you happen to’re most eager to play Recreation Boy video games.
In contrast to a standard cell phone, the Ayaneo Pocket Micro has an in-built fan for energetic air cooling. It might get barely loud once you crank it as much as the utmost energy within the settings menu, nevertheless it appears very efficient at maintaining the gadget cool when you play.
As an Android pill, the Ayaneo Pocket Micro will also be used for native cell titles however preserve your expectations in verify. This isn’t a high-spec gaming cellphone, so it’s going to battle if you happen to don’t persist with the best titles. All through my testing, I managed to persistently obtain 5-6 hours of battery life which is fairly stable given the pill’s miniscule dimension. It ought to comfortably final during a commute, the place its pocketable nature actually shines.
That mentioned, the oblong form did begin to dig into my palms after I tried longer periods. The corners have been rounded off barely, which undoubtedly helps, however your palms are nonetheless going to get sore after a couple of hours.
There’s one greater downside with the Ayaneo Pocket Micro although: its audio system. They’re very poor, producing a weak, muddy sound that lacks any bass or actual readability. In-game music sounds tinny and generally even a bit crackly.
It’s not massively noticeable once you’re enjoying Recreation Boy titles, as they’ve comparatively restricted audio capabilities within the first place, however is extremely obvious when attempting out extra fashionable video games. Headphones are an absolute should, which makes the dearth of a 3.5mm headphone jack an actual disgrace. Bluetooth is an possibility, however having to fiddle with headphone pairing is an impediment each time you need to play.
Ought to I purchase the Ayaneo Pocket Micro?
Purchase it if…
Do not buy it if…
Additionally think about…
After a tool just like the Ayaneo Pocket Micro? Take into account these two options.
| Row 0 – Cell 0 | Ayaneo Pocket Micro | Modretro Chromatic | Nintendo Change Lite |
| Worth | $189 / round £153 (6GB + 128GB) / $219 / round £177 (8GB + 256GB) | $199 / £159 / $AU 316 | $199.99 / £199.99 / AU$329.95 |
| Dimensions | 6.1 x 2.5 x 0.71 in / 156 x 63 x 18 mm | 5.2 x 3 x 1.2in / 132 x 76 x 30 mm | 3.6 x 8.2 x 0.55in / 91.1 x 208 x 13.9mm |
| Weight | 8.21 oz / 233 g | 6.2oz / 175g | 9.76oz / 275g |
| CPU | MediaTek Helio G99 | N/A | Nvidia Customized Tegra X1 |
| GPU | MediaTek Helio G99 | N/A | Nvidia Customized Tegra X1 |
| Reminiscence | 6GB / 8GB | N/A | 4GB |
| Storage | 128GB / 256GB | N/A | 32GB |
| Storage enlargement | MicroSD Card | N/A | MicroSD Card |
How I examined the Ayaneo Pocket Micro
- Examined for 3 months
- Performed all kinds of Recreation Boy video games
- Tried at dwelling and out and about
I examined the Ayaneo Pocket Micro over a interval of three months. I used the 8GB + 256GB mannequin in its black colorway, accompanied by a case supplied by the producer. Along with the built-in storage, I relied on a SanDisk Excessive microSD card to switch recreation information from my PC.
I performed all kinds of Recreation Boy, Recreation Boy Coloration, and Recreation Boy Advance video games on the Ayaneo Pocket Micro. This included Tetris, Pokemon Pink, The Legend of Zelda: Hyperlink’s Awakening, Wario Land 3, Pokemon Ruby, Driver 3, Metroid Zero Mission, and extra. I additionally examined a small handful of PlayStation, PlayStation 2, and PlayStation Transportable video games along with a couple of different platforms. I used to be additionally cautious to guage the hand held’s efficiency in native cell titles, corresponding to the favored Name of Responsibility: Cellular.
All through my time with the hand held, I always in contrast the enjoying expertise to my hands-on testing of gaming smartphones and a variety of gaming handhelds. For audio, I relied on a pair of Beats Solo Buds.
First reviewed January 2024.
