Retro-future and cyber headphones: Two interesting new gaming devices

The end of the year has brought gamers two notable releases from China: a vertical handheld console in the style of the Game Boy from Ayaneo and “alien-like” TWS earbuds from Nubia. Both devices target users who value not only performance but also distinctive design.

Ayaneo Pocket DMG Silver Limited Edition: A Retro Gamer’s Dream in a Metal Body

Ayaneo introduced a limited-edition version of its vertical Pocket DMG console in a silver metal chassis, which the company presented as a direct reference to the legendary Game Boy DMG-01. The update was described as more than a cosmetic change: inside is a top-tier Snapdragon G3x Gen 2 chip for Android retro gaming, 8 or 12 GB of LPDDR5X RAM, and 128/256 GB of UFS 3.1 storage.

The console features a 3.92-inch OLED display with a resolution of 1240×1080 and 450 nits of brightness. The control scheme was explained as hybrid: on the left is an analog stick with Hall sensors, and on the right is a touch stick that functions like a mouse in PC games. The device includes a turbo mode, a MagicSwitch wheel, a fingerprint scanner built into the power button, and active cooling with a 13,330 mm² vapor chamber. The battery capacity is 6000 mAh with 25 W charging, and connectivity includes USB-C 3.2 Gen 2 with DisplayPort 1.4, microSD support, Wi-Fi/Bluetooth 5.3, and a gyroscope.

According to the manufacturer, the console flawlessly emulates systems up to and including the PS2 and Dreamcast and can run demanding Android titles. Pricing is set at 339 USD (8/128 GB) and 419 USD (12/256 GB). For now, it is available in China and through global retailers.

Nubia CyberBuds: TWS Earbuds for Mobile Esports

ZTE’s gaming division released the Nubia CyberBuds, which the company stated offer latency as low as 50 ms thanks to Nubia FlashLink 2.0 technology and Bluetooth 5.4. Each earbud weighs 3.6 grams, and the charging case is equipped with a mini-display and RGB lighting.

Battery life was reported as 6 hours from the earbuds plus 42 additional hours from the 500-mAh charging case. The Nubia Life+ app provides shooter, MOBA, and RPG presets, a custom equalizer, and lighting controls. Owners of Red Magic devices receive a pop-up window showing battery status.

The price in China is just 199 yuan (about 30 dollars). A global release is expected in early 2026.

In Brief

The Ayaneo Pocket DMG Silver Limited Edition is a limited metal retro handheld powered by the Snapdragon G3x Gen 2, priced at 339–419 USD and designed for top-tier emulation and Android gaming. The Nubia CyberBuds are ultra-light TWS earbuds with 50-ms latency, an RGB case, and 48 hours of total battery life for only 199 yuan. Both devices illustrate how Chinese brands in 2025–2026 combine high-end hardware with unique design at prices that make European and American competitors uncomfortable.