AYN Thor release and shipment dates confirmed with Ayaneo Pocket DS beating pricing

AYN Technologies is not waiting around when it comes to its first clamshell gaming handheld. To recap, the company initially teased the AYN Thor on August 19 where it merely mentioned the device's name alongside an Odin2 successor (curr. $379 on Amazon). While details about the AYN Odin3 remain unknown for the time being, AYN Technologies has been gradually confirming various aspects about the AYN Thor in the days since.

Now, AYN Technologies has confirmed that the Thor will be available to order before the end of the month. Specifically, the company plans to open pre-orders at 01:30 UTC on August 26 from $249. Please note that this starting price will only be sold in black with a Snapdragon 865 chipset, 8 GB of RAM and 128 GB of storage. Also, even this Early Bird pricing makes the AYN Thor around $20 more expensive than the Retroid Pocket Flip 2, although a second display and a larger battery somewhat account for the price disparity.

Meanwhile, AYN Technologies intends to charge $299 for the Thor with a Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chipset, again restricted to a black colourway. For some reason, the company has decided to reserve the handheld's Clear Purple, Rainbow and White options that start at $349. Still, AYN Technologies has priced the AYN Thor competitively against the Ayaneo Pocket DS, which starts at $399. Currently, AYN Technologies hopes to begin shipping AYN Thor orders from mid-October onwards.