Ayaneo Pocket Micro 2: Snapdragon 865-powered compact handheld launches for $239

After several teases, the Ayaneo Pocket Micro 2 is finally official. The new handheld arrives as a successor to the Pocket Micro released in 2024. The Pocket Micro 2 retains the compact form factor and premium build of its predecessor, but also improves on the design with better ergonomics, larger buttons, and more comfortable controls, overall. There are also key upgrades under the hood.

The Pocket Micro 2 is equipped with a 3.5-inch LCD panel with a 960 × 540 resolution. The screen has a 3:2 aspect ratio, a 100% SRGB color gamut, and 4x integer scaling. Under the hood is the Snapdragon 865 processor, which Ayaneo claims brings a 220% performance increase compared to the Helio G99-powered Pocket Micro. The Snapdragon 865 is an old chipset, but for a few years now, it has found new use in Android handhelds such as the Retroid Pocket 5 and the AYN Thor Lite.

The processor is paired with 6GB or 8GB of LPDDR4X RAM and 128GB or 256GB of expandable storage. The handheld also has Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5.1, an audio jack, a microphone, a 3,950mAh battery, and a USB 3.1 Type-C port. It also has a fingerprint scanner buried in the power button just like that of the original Pocket Micro. Other features are a gyroscope, an RGB power indicator LED, an x-axis linear motor, two chamber speakers, and a cooling fan. The handheld runs Android 13 out of the box.  

Ayaneo has made some notable changes to the controls. For starters, the buttons are larger and the dual joysticks, which are now TMR ones and have RGB LED rings, are recessed for improved pocketability. It still features inline shoulder buttons, but they are now larger, have a split design, and the R2 and L2 buttons are raised to distinguish them from the R1 and L1 buttons.

The Start and Select buttons are still on the left side of the device while the AYA button which launches AYASpace and the “=” which takes you back to the home screen are on the right. There's also an LC key on the left side of the metal frame above the microSD card slot while the right side is home to the RC and NAV keys. By default, these keys are the multitasking key, return key, and navigation keys in game and system menus, but it seems users will be able to remap them using AYASetting.

The Ayaneo Pocket Micro 2 comes in Frosty White, Midnight Black, and Stardust Purple color options. Ayaneo will offer the Pocket Micro 2 with a launch offer price of $239 for the base model which has 6GB of RAM and 128GB of storage, while the 8GB RAM and 256GB version will cost $279. The final retail price for the two configurations is $269 and $309 respectively. They will also be available to buy in Frosty White and Midnight Black.

The Stardust Purple color way will be exclusive to the 8GB RAM version, but it will cost more than the other two colors at $309, before settling at its final retail price of $339. Ayaneo has not yet revealed when the Pocket Micro 2 will be available to purchase.