Ayaneo has stepped into new territory with the Pocket Play, its first ever gaming phone, and the design alone makes it stand out instantly. Instead of copying the usual flat slab approach, Ayaneo went for a slider design that brings back memories of classic gaming phones from the early 2010s. When closed, the Pocket Play looks and feels like a normal Android phone. Slide the screen upward in landscape mode, and a full set of gaming controls appears underneath, turning the device into a true handheld console experience rather than just a phone with added software tricks.
Under the sliding display, Ayaneo packed in a complete gamepad style layout. There is a proper D pad, four face buttons, and two circular touch surfaces that can act as virtual analog sticks or touch pads depending on the game. Along the sides, four shoulder buttons complete the setup, matching what players expect from console controllers. Ayaneo describes the Pocket Play as a tribute to classic handhelds while exploring how that spirit can evolve on modern Android hardware. The idea clearly targets players who want console style control for native mobile games or even streamed full scale titles.
While the design is now official, Ayaneo has not revealed key details like specifications, pricing, or a launch date. A Kickstarter campaign is confirmed but has not yet gone live, leaving fans waiting for more concrete information. Based on Ayaneo’s history, this will likely be a premium device rather than a budget phone. If you want to see the Pocket Play in action and learn more about Ayaneo’s vision for gaming phones, make sure to watch the full video and stay tuned for updates as soon as the Kickstarter goes live.
Started my career in Automotive Journalism in 2015. Even though I'm a pharmacist, hanging around cars all the time has created a passion for the automotive industry since day 1.