Ayaneo, known for its portable gaming consoles, has entered new territory by officially introducing its first smartphone, the Pocket Play. This hybrid device features a slider form factor with a full gaming controller hidden beneath the display. The idea is clearly inspired by classics like the Sony Xperia Play, but with modern hardware and a strong focus on mobile gaming.

Design and Key Feature

The Pocket Play follows a minimalist design with a traditional side-sliding mechanism. It features a 6.8-inch OLED display with a resolution of 2400×1080 pixels and a 165 Hz refresh rate. The manufacturer deliberately avoided a punch-hole front camera to prevent distractions during gameplay.

The standout feature is the slide-out control module. Pushing the screen upward reveals:

  • A D-pad
  • ABXY buttons
  • Two analog sticks
  • L1/L2 and R1/R2 shoulder buttons
  • A dual touchpad

The controls work in all games that support gamepads. For tactile feedback, the device includes an X-axis linear vibration motor, while stereo speakers handle the audio.

Hardware and Cooling

Performance is powered by the flagship MediaTek Dimensity 9300 chip with Immortalis-G720 graphics, one of the most powerful processors available for Android devices in 2025–2026. To prevent throttling during long gaming sessions, the phone uses an active air-cooling system with a built-in fan.

Other specifications include:

  • USB-C 3.2 Gen 2 with video output support
  • A microSD card slot
  • A side-mounted fingerprint scanner integrated into the power button
  • Android 15 with Ayaneo’s proprietary gaming launcher and an overlay for adjusting performance, FPS, and other parameters

Battery capacity is reportedly around 5000 mAh, which is solid for a gaming-focused smartphone.

Sales and Kickstarter

Ayaneo plans to launch a crowdfunding campaign on Kickstarter for the first production batches. The campaign page already exists, but the launch has been delayed as the company works to improve customer support and service following complaints about previous devices. Exact pricing and launch dates have not yet been announced, though the release is expected sometime in 2026.

Pocket Play is positioned as “a smartphone with the soul of a portable console,” aimed at users who want a full gamepad in their pocket without needing a separate device like a Steam Deck or Ayaneo Air.

In Brief

The Ayaneo Pocket Play is the company’s first smartphone, featuring a slider design with a built-in gamepad (D-pad, ABXY buttons, analog sticks, and shoulder buttons). It offers a 6.8-inch 165 Hz OLED display, a Dimensity 9300 processor, active cooling, and an X-axis vibration motor. A Kickstarter launch is planned soon, but pricing remains unknown. It represents a modern take on the Xperia Play concept for mobile gamers.