The handheld PC gaming market is extra aggressive than it’s even been, which suggests any new entrant must do one thing particular to face out. The upcoming Ayaneo 3 is out to just do that with a top-spec that features a 144Hz OLED display, an RDNA 3.5 GPU for top-tier gaming efficiency, and a singular modular design. It begins at $699 for the bottom model and jumps to $1,299 for one of the best efficiency and better specs. My early impressions are constructive – it’s shaping as much as be not simply probably the greatest Steam Deck alternate options, however probably the greatest handhelds in the marketplace – however you’d higher begin saving now.
The More Things Change
Ayaneo was one of many first corporations making fashionable handheld gaming PCs, and although competitors is far fiercer than it was then, I nonetheless suppose it makes a few of the most snug handhelds out there. It has had extra time to hone its craft, which has allowed it to nail issues like its grips and the place and really feel of its controls.
Holding the Ayaneo 3 in my fingers, it’s fairly much like the Ayaneo 2. That’s a wholesale constructive in my ebook, as a result of the Ayaneo 2 was simply one of the vital snug handhelds I’ve used, simply besting the Steam Deck and Lenovo Legion Go. I’d even put it a smidge greater than the Asus ROG Ally X, although that handheld can be wonderful. The grips have a fine-tuned chunk to them that nestles simply completely in my palm and the load is nicely balanced for gaming in a lap or resting your fingers on a desk.
I take into account myself fairly common, and for my medium-sized fingers, the controls fall proper beneath my thumbs. Everything feels very pure and nicely thought of. Though, when you’d somewhat swap out for Steam Deck like touchpads or an eight-way D-pad, that’s additionally an choice due to its new modular controls.
The keyboard and mouse controls have additionally been fine-tuned. Ayaneo has at all times provided mouse pointer emulation and shortcut keys, nevertheless it now options three totally different modes that may be swapped between utilizing a button on the underside. Mouse management is one of the best it’s ever been and controlling the pointer with a joystick now feels very pure. It’s one other instance of the refinement that’s potential from having produced a number of generations of handhelds.
Swap It Up
In a primary for handheld gaming PCs, the Ayaneo 3 permits you to swap the management scheme with interchangeable modules – Magic Modules, Ayaneo calls them. It’s a cool function, not in contrast to that provided by some premium console controllers, just like the Turtle Beach Stealth Pivot.
By default, it comes with the standard offset sticks, cross-style D-pad, and ABXY face buttons. These modules may be ejected utilizing an choice in AyaSpace 3, the newest model of the hand-held line’s configuration software program, or by holding the management button on the underside of the system. Once they’re out, they are often changed with any mixture of 4 different modules and two totally different types of sticks.
Right now, the choices embrace two modules that change the joysticks with clickable touchpads for all sides, one other that adjustments the D-pad to the round eight-way, and a closing module that appears tailored for combating video games with two columns of three buttons.
There are additionally two pairs of swappable sticks that friction match onto the module’s stems. The inventory sticks are the identical wide-top concave variations used final technology. The Magic Module equipment (out there individually) supplies a pair of convex sticks, in addition to a second, smaller set of concaves.
It’s a neat idea, however the early equipment I used to be despatched didn’t present any choice for symmetrical sticks, which looks as if an odd omission for a modular system like this. I used to be additionally stunned that all the joysticks are the identical top as a substitute of providing taller and shorter variations such as you discover on premium controllers just like the Xbox Elite Controller Series 2.
Still, it’s a cool thought and, as we’ve come to anticipate from Ayaneo, is designed to push the boundaries. Instead of getting a bodily push-button eject, it makes use of mechanical actuators that pop the modules out of their sockets.
Ayaneo warned me that this portion of the system was nonetheless being finalized and my prototype didn’t have the ultimate model precise clients can anticipate. I occurred to be holding the system out in entrance of me after I tried it and it actually launched the module at me. This shouldn’t be the case on any model you’ll be able to really purchase, nevertheless it was actually good for an sudden snort.
Long-term, not having a bodily launch may very well be an issue, however solely time will inform.
Premium Hardware, Premium Performance
In its prime configuration, the Ayaneo 3 comes with an AMD Ryzen AI 9 HX 370 CPU, 64GB of reminiscence, and a whopping 4TB of storage. Once you hit the HX 370 tier, you’ll be able to select between LCD and OLED, however imagine me, OLED is the model you need with its midnight blacks, beautiful colours, and 800-nit peak brightness.
This explicit model will set you again $1,800 and contains the Magic Module equipment. But, let’s be actual, for gaming you completely don’t want 64GB of reminiscence and 4TB of storage is overkill (particularly since you’ll be able to add a microSD card).
Instead, I like to recommend the 32GB, 1TB model, a.ok.a., the primary model with the HX 370, at $1,299. It’s nonetheless very costly, nevertheless it’s similar to a laptop computer with related specs and has devoted gaming {hardware}. Connect it to a docking station, and you possibly can simply use it as a transportable desktop or laptop computer alternative in school or work.
For gaming, it’s been phenomenal thus far. Ayaneo has lastly delivered what followers have been asking for: excessive refresh fee shows with VRR assist. The OLED model I’ve been testing has been a deal with for the eyes: silky-smooth, coloration wealthy, vast dynamic vary, and total nice efficiency.
I’m nowhere close to performed with my testing – I’ll be spending lots of time with it earlier than I repeat my testing with the retail model in a month or two – however thus far, it has been my favourite handheld PC gaming expertise, bar none.
The Ryzen AI 9 HX 370 makes use of AMD’s Radeon 890M graphics, which is constructed on RDNA 3.5. The Ryzen 7 8840U, and most different PC handhelds proper now, use RDNA 3, which is why I like to recommend saving up for the HX 370 model when you’re contemplating this handheld. We already know that the enhancements to gaming efficiency are incremental, however once you’re taking part in on a small display like this, 5-10% uplift is noticeable.
So far, I’ve examined Elden Ring, Baldur’s Gate 3, Spider Man 2, Red Dead Redemption 2, World of Warcraft, and a handful of indies. Each of these AAA video games was in a position to keep no less than 45 FPS between 800p and 1080p at medium to excessive settings. Easier to run indie video games are trivial. Just as importantly, they give the impression of being wonderful and really feel simply pretty much as good on the brand new OLED show.
Taking the time to tune the graphics settings and benefiting from AMD Fluid Motion Frames (AFMF), FidelityFX Super Resolution (FSR), and Radeon Super Resolution (RSR), pushes that even additional. As at all times, it’s a matter of adjusting settings to search out the candy spot between efficiency.
World of Warcraft, for instance, makes for an ideal instance of how highly effective tweaking may be and simply how significant the correct CPU is to the efficiency of a handheld. It’s an previous recreation however a dynamic one with numerous variation in body fee relying on what you’re doing. Without FSR or AFMF, the Ayaneo 3 ran round 45 to 55 FPS in dungeons on extremely settings. With each enabled, that bumped to 95 to 105, even with plenty of particle results, gamers, and enemies crowding the display.
Outside of gaming, I plan to convey the system into work to switch my employer-provided laptop computer for productiveness. Truth be advised, the HX 370’s CPU cores are much more succesful than its GPU cores, and it’s greater than as much as any productiveness process you’ll encounter within the common day of labor or college. You may simply use it for modifying photographs and movies, graphic arts, and even streaming.
Final Thoughts
All of that is true of most gaming handhelds as of late, however the mixture of show, efficiency, ergonomics, and the kinesthetic pleasure of participating with it make the Ayaneo 3 really feel like one thing particular in these early days. We’ll see if that wanes or adjustments as I spend extra time with it.
I secretly hope that they launch a decrease price model with out swappable modules however retaining the HX 370 and OLED display. $1,299 is tremendous costly for a handheld when you don’t plan to switch one other system with it. It’s a neat thought, however when you’re proud of the format, it will be good to see a model with one of the best display and processor with out paying for options you don’t want.
Christopher Coke has been an everyday contributor to IGN since 2019 and has been protecting video games and expertise since 2013. He has lined tech starting from gaming controllers to graphics playing cards, gaming chairs and gaming displays, headphones, IEMs, and extra for websites similar to MMORPG.com, Tom’s Hardware, Popular Science, USA Today’s Reviewed, and Popular Mechanics. Find Chris on Twitter @gamebynight.
