AYANEO Pocket Micro review: It’s not what you expect

The world of gaming handhelds extends far beyond x86 devices, as there are plenty of Android gaming handsets to explore. AYANEO is one of the leading companies in this regard. However, it has taken a slightly different approach, releasing Android handheld devices in various form factors, such as the AYANEO Pocket Micro.
The AYANEO tries to appeal to people who like devices that evoke a certain nostalgia, while the Pocket Micro hopes to cater to multiple factions. The most obvious of which is taking inspiration from the original NES controller to create a handheld device.
However, what you may not know is that the Pocket Micro’s 3.5-inch screen offers perfect 4x zoom for Game Boy Advance games. This is somewhat rare in this field. All the while, the system has been powered by Android, which gives you a plethora of games to choose from. While all of this sounds great, it’s important to keep things in perspective and not let the wave of nostalgia make your glasses smaller than they already are.
AYANEO Pocket Micro: price and availability
AYANEO released the Pocket Micro and Pocket DMG as early as May and started pre-ordering in July. The Pocket Micro was the first product to hit the market, with limited shipments starting in late September, and things improved in October.
You can currently purchase the AYANEO Pocket Micro through the Indiegogo campaign, with prices starting at $189 for the 6GB/128GB model. There is also an 8GB/256GB version priced at $229, and a limited edition “retro gray” version priced at $259. We expect the Pocket Micro to be available soon on the AYANEO website and then to other online retailers.
AYANEO Pocket Micro: What I like
Whenever I’m interested in purchasing a new gaming handheld, one thing I have to pay attention to is ergonomics. I may have a bit of carpal tunnel syndrome which means I can only play games with some handheld devices perhaps It’s 30 minutes before I need to take a break. It varies from handheld to handheld, and actually led me to invest in some grips for my Nintendo Switch.
When I saw that the Pocket Micro was basically a brick, I was very concerned that I wouldn’t be able to enjoy it. To my surprise this isn’t a big deal and I don’t really seem to understand why. The flat edges combined with the flat back and smaller size mean I end up holding it differently than other handheld devices.
So it wasn’t until I was about an hour into the game that the hand and wrist fatigue really started to ease. While it’s a far cry from the Steam Deck OLED or even the ROG Ally X, the Pocket Micro is more pleasant to use than I expected.
category | AYANEO Pocket Micro |
---|---|
exhibit | 3.5 inches, IPS |
solve | 960×640 |
refresh rate | 60 Hz |
processor | MediaTek Helio G99 |
storage | 128GB/256GB (UFS 2.2) |
Connectivity | microSD card slot/USB 2.0 Type-C/Wi-Fi 5/Bluetooth 5.2 |
Additional features | Active air cooling/fingerprint scanner/Hall joystick |
Battery | 2,600mA |
aspect | 156×63×18mm |
weight | 233 grams |
If there’s one thing you should note, it’s that this thing is heavy. AYANEO lists the weight at 233 grams, which is heavier than my iPhone 16 Pro Max (227 grams) and a bit lighter than the Galaxy Z Fold 6 (239 grams). This isn’t necessarily a bad thing, especially when you realize Why Too heavy.
This is because, in addition to fusing glass and aluminum, AYANEO also incorporated active cooling technology into the Pocket Micro. This is done to prevent the device and your hands from getting too hot. With such a compact device, heat dissipation is key, because if the heat has nowhere to go, throttling will quickly begin.
When it comes to performance, it’s important to adjust your expectations. Unlike the AYANEO Pocket DMG and Pocket S, the Micro is powered by the MediaTek Helio G99 starting in 2022.
Although it has been out for almost three years, the Helio G99 has become an “old reliable” SoC suitable for a variety of tablets and other devices. That being said, you’ll be able to play many, if not all, of your favorite games from the Play Store. In terms of emulation, once you get into PS2 and GameCube games, you start to hit a ceiling.
Part of that comes from the fact that AYANEO is available in 6GB or 8GB RAM configurations, but the software also has different performance profiles to help push things further. I couldn’t resist trying to load up some Switch games, and not surprisingly, the efforts proved futile.
AYANEO Pocket Micro: I don’t know
Without a doubt, my biggest gripe with the Pocket Micro is the software experience. Of course, when you’re using a 3.5-inch screen, space is at a premium. But AYANEO’s internal launcher didn’t solve the problem. Everything is very small, and while I can adjust the display scaling settings, that’s not really what I want to do.
Thankfully, there are some gaming-focused launchers available that quickly solved my problem. Well, at least in most cases. I can’t replace the slide-out panel that gives you quick access to options. But since I don’t mess with these very often, it’s not a big deal.
Instead, I’ve been switching between Emulation Station (ES-DE), Daijisho, and the alpha version of Console Launcher 2.0. If you really wanted to, you could even use something like Nova Launcher or Lawnchair, but where’s the fun in that?
My other issue with the Pocket Micro isn’t something that everyone will have to deal with, but it’s something to keep in mind. While I commend the AYANEO for delivering a gaming handheld that’s both portable and high-quality, actually playing games can be an issue.
While the Pocket Micro’s ergonomics are a little better than some other gaming handhelds, I really wish I could play for more than an hour at a time. While I appreciate the nostalgic design, it would be nice to see AYANEO offer some kind of ergonomic grip.
That’s what the company has done with the Pocket S, as the “case” not only protects the handheld device, but also provides a more comfortable experience. Because of this, I started changing the position I was holding the Micro in so I could keep playing. But ultimately, the best remedy was to stop playing for a while until my hands and/or wrists felt better.
Again, this won’t cause a problem for some people, but it’s worth noting if you have fat paws and are considering a Micro.
AYANEO Pocket Micro: Competition
The world of dedicated Android handheld devices continues to expand, and AYANEO is one of the companies leading the trend. However, it’s not the only option, as there are plenty of Android gaming handhelds to choose from.
In November, the Retroid Pocket 5 was announced, the much-anticipated successor to the Retroid Pocket 4 Pro, which was launched in January 2024. Expand storage space.
The Anbernic RG406H was also launched in November, equipped with Unisoc Tiger T820 and a smaller 4-inch IPS touch screen. Anbernic has a reputation for retro handheld devices, but the company tends to focus more on Linux-based devices. That being said, as long as you understand that the T820 isn’t the most powerful chip out there, the RG406H is an absolute pleasure to use.
If you’re looking for a handheld from a company you approve of, you might want to take a look at the Razer Edge. This is the first dedicated Android handheld device released by a major company, powered by Snapdragon G3x Gen 1.
AYANEO Pocket Micro: Should you buy it?
You should buy this if…
- You want an Android handheld device that looks like an NES controller with a screen.
- You are a fan of high-end equipment.
- You are looking for a way to play retro and modern games on your portable device.
You shouldn’t buy this if…
- Your budget is limited.
- You worry about ergonomics.
- You want a more powerful handheld device.
Frankly, I already own quite a few Android handheld devices, not to mention the various foldable phones at my disposal. That being said, I feel a little happy every time I pick up the Pocket Micro and play a game. Sure, it’s not as powerful as other devices, but few devices combine premium design with retro aesthetics in the same way.
At the same time, it’s hard to recommend the Pocket Micro to non-retro gaming enthusiasts. The nearly $200 price tag may be a bit too high for some, especially when more powerful handheld devices can be purchased for about the same price. It’s really just a matter of considering the trade-offs when trying to choose between the Pocket Micro and other products you might have your eye on.
The AYANEO Pocket Micro is designed to evoke a little nostalgia, whether it’s the NES or the Game Boy Advance with a 4:3 monitor. While premium builds are next-level, the Pocket Micro may be a bit too expensive for some.