AYANEO Introduces New Pocket S Mini and KONKR Fit

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AYANEO is preparing to launch two upgraded versions of products that have recently found success. The Pocket S Mini aims to offer an enhanced 4:3 experience by improving the specs and build quality of the recently released Pocket AIR Mini, while the KONKR Fit appears to be a major overhaul of the KONKR Pocket Fit, featuring a 7-inch OLED screen, a more powerful processor, and full Windows support.

AYANEO has become almost synonymous with pushing the boundaries of build quality in handhelds. While most companies rely on plastic molds and release devices that only slightly tweak retro standards, AYANEO often uses metal casings and packs in processors that exceed expectations. Take the AYANEO Pocket DMG, for example. It is primarily built for Game Boy and Game Boy Color emulation with its nearly 10:9 screen, yet it includes a processor capable of handling Switch-level emulation.

The New KONKR Fit Upgrades the KONKR Pocket Fit

Recently, AYANEO introduced a sub-brand aimed at more consumer-friendly pricing, KONKR. So far, the brand has released only the Pocket Fit, a 16:9 handheld designed to compete in the mid to high-end range with a 6-inch 1080p screen. While the Retroid Pocket 5 retails for $199 and has a smaller 5.5-inch screen, the KONKR Pocket Fit exceeds $299, and the Retroid Pocket 6, as a major upgrade, sits at just $229.

The KONKR Fit further improves and upgrades the performance of the KONKR brand-related handhelds by going from a 6-inch screen to a 7-inch, utilizing a full AMD Ryzen chipset, and running full-fledged Windows. It retains an OLED panel similar to its little brother, so the contrast and deep blacks will still be standout features whenever in use.

Pocket S Mini Refines the Pocket S, Improves on AIR Mini

The AYANEO Pocket AIR Mini (not to be confused with the Pocket S Mini shown below) features a 4.2-inch 4:3 screen and a design reminiscent of the Anbernic RG Cube and Cube XX. The RG Cube uses a 1:1 screen, which is nearly perfect for Game Boy and Game Boy Color titles, and its processor slightly outperforms the Pocket AIR Mini's. Still, the AIR Mini is better tuned for retro emulation, particularly on consoles with a 4:3 aspect ratio.

The Pocket S Mini is expected to offer another 4:3 option from the company by deviating from the 16:9 standard style of the flagship Pocket S. The Pocket S Mini has a stronger processor, improved cooling, and refined build quality, offering smoother performance and better battery management over the cheaper Pocket AIR Mini. In that same light, the AIR Mini is also noticeably less powerful than the Pocket S Mini, but comes with the same 4:3 aspect ratio, perfect for retro emulation.

Full specs have yet to be shared for either handheld, but on the basis of presentation alone, the above devices look to be upgrades for the respective devices their names draw from. So far, we know the KONKR Fit will utilize the AMD Ryzen AI 9 HX 470, which is a similar APU to the Ryzen AI 9 HX 370 in the AYANEO 3, and the Pocket S Mini will run the Snapdragon G3x Gen 2, which should get decent performance out for GameCube and PS2 emulation, but not as strong as the aforementioned Retroid Pocket 6, or the recently released Odin 3.

With these new releases, AYANEO continues to challenge how retro handhelds are typically conceived. Most devices stick to standard designs with plastic shells and generic implementations of Android or Linux. AYANEO prioritizes premium-feeling devices with metal casings, Android as a base, and their own AYA Space and AYA Home software, along with a fast-access slide-down menu found on many Android-based handhelds.

For the latest AYANEO news, follow the company on their official Twitter and keep an eye on their Discord for real-time updates.

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