A gaming handheld that rivals a budget gaming laptop in raw power has landed on Indiegogo, and AYANEO’s NEXT 2 is now officially priced from $1,799. The device, which has been teased for over a year, combines a massive 9.06-inch OLED display with AMD’s latest Ryzen AI Max processors—though whether that translates to smooth gameplay in demanding titles remains an open question.
The pricing structure reflects a tiered approach, with the base model (32GB RAM + 1TB storage) starting at $1,799 under early-bird discounts. At the high end, a 128GB/2TB configuration with the top-tier Ryzen AI Max+ 395 will cost $3,499 early-bird or $4,299 after the promotion ends. Mid-range options sit at $2,299 and $2,699 for 64GB/2TB and 128GB/2TB setups, respectively.
Specs: A High-End Handheld with Caveats
The NEXT 2’s standout feature is its 9.06-inch OLED display, boasting a rare resolution of 2400x1504 and a peak refresh rate of 165Hz. While competitors like ASUS’s ROG Ally X2 max out at 144Hz, AYANEO’s choice of resolution—neither 4K nor traditional 1080p—raises questions about scalability. Most modern games struggle to run at native resolution on integrated graphics, even at lower refresh rates.
- Display: 9.06-inch OLED, 2400x1504 resolution, up to 165Hz
- Chip: Ryzen AI Max 385 (12-core/24-thread) or Max+ 395 (8-core/16-thread) with Radeon 8050S or 8060S integrated graphics
- Memory: LPDDR5X up to 8533 MT/s (32GB, 64GB, or 128GB options)
- Storage: NVMe PCIe 4.0 (1TB or 2TB)
- Battery: 116Wh (heavier than most handhelds at ~1.5kg)
- Pricing: Starts at $1,799 (early-bird) for 32GB/1TB; tops out at $4,299 for 128GB/2TB
The inclusion of Ryzen AI Max+ 395—AMD’s most powerful integrated graphics chip—suggests AYANEO is targeting enthusiasts. However, the Radeon 8060S (40 Compute Units) will face challenges pushing modern titles beyond 60–80 FPS at 1080p, let alone the device’s native resolution. The 116Wh battery is a step up from most handhelds, but the resulting weight (~1.5kg) may deter portability-focused users.
Who’s It For?
The NEXT 2 isn’t just another gaming handheld—it’s a Windows-powered powerhouse aimed at users who prioritize display quality and raw specs over portability. The 165Hz OLED and high-refresh options make it appealing for competitive or fast-paced games, but the lack of dedicated GPU means heavy titles like Cyberpunk 2077* or Starfield* will likely require heavy compromises. For emulation or lighter games, however, it could be a compelling alternative to Steam Deck or ASUS ROG Ally.
AYANEO’s pricing strategy—with early-bird discounts—hints at a long-term play, but the $1,799–$4,299 range positions it as a niche product. Whether it justifies the cost over a high-end laptop remains to be seen, especially with Intel’s upcoming Panther Lake chips potentially entering the handheld space later this year.
Availability is now via Indiegogo, with shipping expected in the second half of 2026.
