AYANEO Next 2 and the Price of Portable Power

Handheld gaming PCs have exploded in popularity over the past few years, led by devices like Valve’s Steam Deck and ASUS’ ROG Ally. Into this increasingly crowded field, AYANEO continues to position itself as the boutique, bleeding-edge option. Its latest Windows handheld, the AYANEO Next 2, is one of the most ambitious portable gaming machines announced so far – and one of the most expensive.

Drawing inspiration from the original GamesRadar coverage, this article looks at what makes the Next 2 technically impressive, why its pricing strategy is controversial, and how it fits into a broader conversation about the future of high-end handheld gaming.

AYANEO’s High-End Handheld Strategy

AYANEO is not a newcomer in the portable PC gaming scene. Founded in 2020 and focused entirely on handheld devices, the company quickly distinguished itself with premium materials, high-resolution displays, and cutting-edge AMD processors, often ahead of bigger brands.¹ Rather than chasing mass-market pricing, AYANEO has leaned toward enthusiast-grade hardware that often costs significantly more than mainstream competitors.

With the Next 2, AYANEO is doubling down on that strategy. The device is effectively a showcase for what is currently possible in a handheld form factor: desktop-like CPU performance, a large OLED display, and a battery capacity that rivals some laptops. But these decisions also push it squarely into the luxury category.

Headline Specs: Why the Next 2 Is a Monster

On paper, the AYANEO Next 2 looks less like a handheld and more like a compact gaming laptop with integrated controls. While configurations vary, the flagship model includes:

• CPU/APU: Up to AMD Ryzen AI Max+ 395 based on Zen 5 “Strix Halo” architecture
• GPU: Integrated Radeon 8060S (RDNA 3.5, up to 40 compute units)
• Display: 9.06-inch OLED, 2400×1504 resolution, up to 165 Hz
• Battery: Approximately 116 Wh capacity
• Memory: Up to 128 GB RAM
• Storage: Up to 2 TB SSD, with two NVMe slots for expansion
• Ports: Dual full-function USB4, microSD, 3.5 mm audio
• Connectivity: Wi‑Fi 7 / high-speed Wi‑Fi and Bluetooth 5.4 (config dependent)

These specifications put the Next 2 in rare territory. AMD’s Ryzen AI Max+ 395 and Radeon 8060S iGPU promise performance closer to low-end discrete GPUs, and the XDNA 2 NPU inside offers up to 126 TOPS of AI performance, aimed at both gaming upscaling and creative workflows.² In practice, that means the device is designed not just for traditional gaming, but also AI-accelerated features such as upscaling, frame generation, and content creation tools.

The 9-Inch OLED: A Big Step Up in Visuals

One of the standout elements of the Next 2 is its 9.06-inch native landscape OLED display. Compared with typical 7-inch handheld screens, this is significantly larger, with a higher resolution and refresh-rate flexibility:

• Resolution: 2400 × 1504
• Refresh rates: Switchable between 60 Hz, 120 Hz, 144 Hz, and 165 Hz
• Wide color coverage, targeting 100% DCI-P3

OLED panels provide deeper blacks and better contrast than standard LCDs, which matters both for cinematic single-player games and for color-sensitive content creation. Combined with high-refresh options, the Next 2’s display targets gamers who want both image quality and responsiveness.

Battery Capacity on Laptop Levels

The battery capacity is another area where the Next 2 diverges from typical handhelds. With roughly 116 Wh (AYANEO lists 116.1 Wh), the battery matches or exceeds what you find in many thin-and-light gaming laptops, where 70–99 Wh is common due to airline regulations. By comparison, Valve’s Steam Deck OLED uses a 50 Wh battery.³

Of course, higher capacity doesn’t automatically translate into longer battery life if the device is running an 85 W APU at full tilt. Instead, this capacity provides more headroom: players can run demanding games at moderate TDP levels for longer, or enjoy indie and retro titles for extended sessions without plugging in.

Control Layout and Ergonomics

AYANEO has built a reputation for strong ergonomics, and the Next 2 continues that approach with a “large grip” design aimed at more comfortable long sessions.² Notable control features include:

• Hall effect analog sticks (to eliminate drift)
• Hall linear triggers with adjustable trigger locks
• Floating 8-way D-pad for precision in 2D or fighting games
• Four rear buttons for extra macros or inputs
• Dual touchpads for mouse-like control in Windows

On the software side, AYANEO’s AYASpace suite serves as a control center to manage performance profiles, fan curves, TDP limits, and game libraries, similar to what ASUS and Valve provide for their respective devices.¹

Where Pricing Becomes the Real Boss Fight

All this hardware innovation inevitably leads to the toughest question: how much does the Next 2 cost? Official information and early coverage suggest that pricing starts in the upper $1,700–$1,800 range for the base configuration and can reach well above $3,000–$4,000 for fully maxed-out models when the most powerful CPU, 128 GB RAM, and 2 TB SSD are included.²

For context, here’s how that compares to other popular handheld gaming devices:

Even acknowledging that the Next 2 is positioned as a flagship, the price gap is striking. You can buy a powerful gaming laptop and a Steam Deck OLED together for less than the expected cost of the top Next 2 models.

Enthusiast Showpiece vs. Mainstream Device

This leads to a core tension: is the Next 2 meant to be a practical gaming device or an enthusiast showpiece that demonstrates what’s possible at any cost? AYANEO’s own marketing language often appeals to “true gamers” and “future-exploring” enthusiasts, which implies the latter. The company isn’t necessarily trying to compete head-on with Steam Deck on price; it’s targeting buyers who already own multiple devices and want the absolute cutting edge.

There is a parallel here with the broader PC hardware market, where halo products like NVIDIA’s top-tier GPUs or premium gaming laptops are priced far above what most players can afford. These products often drive innovation and visibility, even if they sell in relatively small quantities. The Next 2 fits that mold in the handheld space.

The Trade-Offs of Extreme Handheld Performance

Powerful specs and a large battery are appealing, but they come with trade-offs. Some of these are technical, others are economic, and many affect how people actually use a handheld day to day.

Thermals and Noise

To sustain up to 85 W of APU power, the Next 2 uses a dual-fan cooling system with large heat dissipation components.² This is essential to prevent throttling, but it also raises concerns:

• Noise levels: Two fans spinning at high RPM can produce noticeable noise, particularly in quiet environments.
• Heat distribution: Even if internals are kept cool, external surfaces and grips need to remain comfortable.
• Long-term dust and maintenance: With higher thermal loads, keeping vents clear becomes more important over time.

Enthusiast users may accept these trade-offs, especially if they are used to gaming laptops, but they do erode the “pick up and play anywhere” charm that handhelds traditionally offer.

Weight and Portability

A 9-inch OLED display, large grips, and a 116 Wh battery inevitably add weight and bulk. While AYANEO hasn’t emphasized the exact weight as a headline spec, it’s reasonable to expect the Next 2 to feel closer to a small laptop in hand than to a Nintendo Switch.

That doesn’t invalidate the product, but it changes how and where it will be used. The Next 2 seems optimized for:

• Use at home or in hotel rooms, often near a charger
• Docked or on a stand with a controller or keyboard attached
• Long sessions where comfort and big-screen handheld play are valued over ultra-mobility

By contrast, smaller, lighter devices remain better suited for commuting or quick gaming breaks.

Software Complexity

Because the Next 2 runs full Windows 11, it inherits both the flexibility and the friction of a desktop OS: driver updates, Windows patches, and background processes all coexist with gaming. While AYANEO’s software layer helps streamline some of these issues, it can’t fully replace a bespoke OS like SteamOS, which is tuned specifically for controller-based gaming.

For buyers comfortable with PC tweaking and performance tuning, this is a feature. For those who want console-like simplicity, it may be a deterrent.

Who Is the AYANEO Next 2 Really For?

Given its pricing and design choices, the Next 2 is clearly not aimed at first-time handheld buyers. Instead, it targets a narrower slice of the market:

• Hardware enthusiasts who want to experience the latest AMD APU technology in a handheld format.
• Content creators and power users who want to combine gaming with tasks like video editing or AI-assisted creativity on the go.
• Collectors who already own multiple handhelds and see the Next 2 as a flagship piece.

For most players, something like the Steam Deck, ROG Ally, or Lenovo Legion Go will hit a more sensible balance between price and performance. But as long as there is a market – however small – for “no-compromise” portable power, AYANEO’s premium strategy can coexist alongside mainstream devices.

What the Next 2 Signals About the Future of Handhelds

The AYANEO Next 2 sits at the intersection of several trends in gaming hardware:

1. Convergence of laptops and handhelds: As APUs get more capable, the line between a small gaming laptop and a large handheld continues to blur. Devices like the Next 2, with large screens and big batteries, accelerate this convergence.
2. AI-driven features: With AMD and other chipmakers embedding NPUs into consumer processors, we can expect more AI-based upscaling, latency reduction, and personalization features in games and software.⁴
3. Rising component costs: High-end chips, OLED displays, and advanced cooling solutions all add cost, pushing truly top-spec devices upward in price.
4. Segmented handheld market: We’re likely to see a clearer split between budget-friendly devices and ultra-premium handhelds, similar to the smartphone and GPU markets.

Whether or not the Next 2 becomes a big seller, it acts as a bellwether for how far manufacturers are willing to push the concept of a handheld gaming PC – and how much they expect the most dedicated players to pay for that privilege.

Practical Buying Advice: Should You Consider the Next 2?

If you’re evaluating whether a device like the AYANEO Next 2 is right for you, it helps to ask a few pointed questions:

• Do you truly need this level of power in a handheld? Many modern AAA titles run acceptably on cheaper handhelds if you’re willing to tweak settings.
• How often will you play away from a desk? If you mostly play at home, a gaming PC or laptop plus a more affordable handheld could offer better overall value.
• Is Windows handheld management appealing or exhausting? If driver updates and TDP tuning sound like chores, a simpler device might be a better fit.
• Could you instead invest in a balanced setup? For the price of a high-end Next 2, you could combine a mid-range gaming laptop with a Steam Deck or similar device and cover more use cases.

On the other hand, if you’re captivated by the idea of cutting-edge AMD silicon, a large OLED display, and a huge battery all in one portable device, the Next 2 is one of the few products that attempts to deliver that dream.

FAQs About the AYANEO Next 2 and High-End Handhelds

Is the AYANEO Next 2 more powerful than other Windows handhelds?

Based on its use of the AMD Ryzen AI Max+ 395 APU and Radeon 8060S iGPU, the Next 2 is positioned at or near the top of the handheld performance stack. Its high TDP ceiling (up to around 85 W) gives it headroom that most competitors don’t have, though real-world gains depend on cooling, power limits, and game optimization.²

How long will the battery last while gaming?

With a 116 Wh battery, battery life can vary dramatically depending on TDP settings and game load. At modest power levels with 60 Hz enabled, you could expect significantly longer sessions than typical handhelds. At full 80+ W performance and high refresh rates, battery life will drop quickly – similar to or even shorter than gaming laptops under heavy load.

Does the large OLED display make a big difference?

Yes, for many users a 9-inch OLED at 2400×1504 offers a noticeably more immersive and vibrant experience than 7-inch IPS panels. The combination of higher resolution, deep blacks, and variable high refresh rates is particularly attractive for visually rich games and media consumption.

Why are AYANEO devices generally more expensive than the competition?

Several factors contribute: boutique manufacturing scale, early adoption of cutting-edge components, premium materials, and an enthusiast-focused brand strategy. Unlike Valve, which can subsidize hardware to grow Steam’s ecosystem, AYANEO must recoup costs directly from hardware sales, which often leads to higher prices.

Is it better to buy a high-end handheld or a gaming laptop?

For most people, a gaming laptop offers more flexibility per dollar: larger screens, more ports, easier upgrades, and often better cooling at similar or lower prices. A premium handheld like the Next 2 is best seen as a supplemental device for those who already own a main PC and want the most powerful portable experience they can get.