The AYANEO Pocket MICRO Classic is a new handheld game console designed for portability. With a 3.5 inch, 960 x 640 pixel, 400 nit IPS LCD display centered between a simple set of game controllers, the console measures just 156 x 63 x 18mm (6.14″ x 2.48″ x 0.71″) and weighs just 227 grams (8 ounces).
In other words, it’s a lot like the AYANEO Pocket MICRO that launched last summer. But, as expected, the new model has a simpler controller design: there are no analog sticks. Instead there’s just a D-Pad on the left, action buttons on the right, and some shoulder buttons. The new model is also a little cheaper… with an emphasis on “a little.”
While the new model is the same size and shape, leaving out the joysticks makes it a few grams lighter weight. And AYANEO has reduced the starting price by a whole $10. Early Bird rewards will start at $179 during pre-orders for a model with 6GB of RAM and 128GB of storage or $209 for a 8GB/256GB model.
All versions feature MediaTek Helio G99 chips, LPDDR4x-4266 memory, UFS 2.2 storage, and microSD card readers for removable storage.
Retail prices are expected to start at $209 and $239 after pre-orders end, but I’d take those prices with a grain of salt, as the original Pocket MICRO with joysticks currently sells for less than that.
| Pocket MICRO Classic | Pocket MICRO | |
| Display | 3.5 inches 960 x 640 pixels 3:2 aspect ratio IPS LCD 400 nits | |
| Processor | MediaTek Helio G99 | |
| Memory / Storage | LPDDR4x-4266 + UFS 2.2 | |
| Battery | 2600 mAh | |
| Ports | 1 x USB 2.0 Type-C OTG 1 x microSD card reader | |
| Wireless | WiFi 5 BT 5.2 | |
| Cooling | Fan | |
| Game controllers | D-Pad 4 action buttons L1, L2, R1, R2 shoulder buttons | Dual analog sticks D-Pad 4 action buttons L1, L2, R1, R2 shoulder buttons |
| OS | Android 13 AYAHome Launcher AYASpace management front-end | |
| Other | Six-axis gyroscope Linear vibration motor Fingerprint sensor (in power key) | |
| Dimensions | 156 x 63 x 18mm 6.14″ x 2.48″ x 0.71″ | |
| Weight | 227 grams 8 ounces | 233 grams 8.2 ounces |
| Starting price | 6GB + 128GB for $179(Early Bird) 8GB + 256GB for $209 (Early Bird) | 6GB + 128GB for $189 (Early Bird) 8GB + 256GB for $219 (Early Bird) |
While AYANEO has a long track record of using crowdfunding campaigns to launch new produts, the company is taking a different approach for the Pocket MICRO Classic. It’s already available for pre-order directly from the AYANEO website, and it’s expected to begin shipping in mid-April.
