Updated | AYN teases the Loki gaming console as "the most affordable Windows handheld ever created"

Update: Processor specs with storage capacity and pricing have been leaked by Cary Golomb on Twitter. The most affordable model called Loki Mini is powered by an Intel Alder Lake processor, most likely a U-series and comes with 64 GB of storage. This probably is the model presented in the teaser and it is rumored to cost US$299. The other four models are all powered by AMD APUs with Zen 3+ cores and RDNA2 iGPU (Rembrandt Ryzen 6000), which seems a much better choice than the previously speculated "Mendocino" APUs. However, these models are considerably more expansive. Besides the expanded storage capacity, they may come with larger screens (Loki Max) and additional features, as well. Golomb mentions that these prices might not be final.

AYN is a relatively new company from Hong Kong that primarily specializes in handheld consoles. Last year, AYN managed to crowdfund an ARM-based model running Android dubbed Odin, which started shipping to backers in early 2022. Meanwhile, the company also introduced an even more affordable Odin Lite version with Mediatek Dimensity 900 SoC. Just recently, AYN posted a teaser video for an Odin successor named Loki, which is touted as the most affordable handheld console running Windows. Specs are still unknown, but there is a strong possibility that AYN could replace the Qualcomm or Mediatek SoCs with AMD’s freshly announced “Mendocino” processors.

The teaser video for the Loki model reveals that its case design is very similar to the previous Odin variants. Not modifying the design could suggest that AYN might keep the Qualcomm Snapdragon 845 SoC. ARM-based SoCs run Windows easily thanks to the Windows-on-ARM initiative, so maybe that is how AYN intends to achieve the lowest price for a handheld console. AYN could also consider adding an AMD “Mendocino” processor that has just been released with low-cost mobile devices in mind. This one features Zen 2 CPU cores, which are quite dated, but combines them with RDNA2 GPU cores, although the core count in this case is low and might not be a viable gaming solution.

As far as other specs are concerned, we can expect 4 to 8 GB of LPDDR4x RAM, up to 128 GB storage, Wi-Fi 6 + BT 5.2 connectivity, and a port selection that includes a USB-C 3.1 connector, an audio jack and microSD card reader for expanded storage space, plus the usual HDMI video output. The 5,000 mAh battery from Odin could see a slight capacity bump.

It looks like the upcoming Loki model will retain the same 5.98-inch screen size from the existing Odin, and resolution should remain capped at 1080p if low costs are to be maintained. The only notable difference from the Odin design appears to be the order of the action buttons that follows the Xbox controller pattern rather than the Nintendo one. This modification is probably enforced by the jump to the MS Windows OS that has native support for Xbox controllers.

Since the Odin Pro model is currently selling for US$289, AYN will most likely strive to keep Loki’s price close to this figure. A new crowdfunding campaign for the Loki model could start very soon, given the release of the teaser.

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