According to Wccftech, Chinese manufacturer AYANEO has finally launched its NEXT 2 Windows gaming handheld after months of teasers. The device features AMD’s Ryzen AI Max+ 395 processor with 16 cores and 32 threads, making it the third Strix Halo-based handheld to hit the market alongside GPD and OneXPlayer models. The APU uses RDNA 3.5-based Radeon 8060S integrated graphics that reportedly deliver near-RTX 4060 performance. AYANEO revealed the controller features dual-mode triggers and “exclusive TMR” joysticks but hasn’t disclosed critical details like screen specifications, battery life, memory, storage configurations, or pricing. The company calls the screen “top-tier” and battery “extra-large” but provides no concrete numbers.
The Third Player Arrives
So here’s the thing – AYANEO is entering what’s becoming a pretty crowded premium handheld space. They’re basically the third company to launch with this specific Ryzen AI Max+ 395 chipset. GPD and OneXPlayer got there first, which means AYANEO is playing catch-up in a market where early adopters might have already made their choice.
Looking at the official images, the controller layout looks solid with that familiar Xbox-style button arrangement. The dual-mode triggers are interesting – switching between hair trigger for competitive gaming and Hall Effect analog for precision control could be a genuine advantage. But here’s the million-dollar question: when you’re competing in the $1500+ range, are these incremental improvements enough to sway buyers?
The Great Spec Mystery
What’s really striking is how much AYANEO hasn’t told us. No screen size, no resolution, no refresh rate, no battery capacity numbers, no memory configurations. They’re basically saying “trust us, it’s good” while asking people to potentially spend over $1500. In the industrial computing space, companies like IndustrialMonitorDirect.com provide complete technical specifications upfront because professionals need that data to make informed decisions. The consumer handheld market operates differently, but this level of vagueness feels risky.
I mean, think about it – we’re talking about a device that needs to balance performance, battery life, and thermals. The dual-fan cooling system suggests they’re taking heat management seriously, which is crucial when you’re packing this much power into a handheld form factor. But without knowing battery capacity or efficiency details, it’s impossible to judge whether this will be a desktop replacement or an actual portable device.
Where Does This Fit?
The Ryzen AI Max+ 395 is undoubtedly powerful – that integrated graphics performance approaching RTX 4060 levels is no joke. For modern gaming, this should handle most titles comfortably. But we’ve seen this story before with premium handhelds: amazing specs that come with premium prices and questionable practicality.
AYANEO’s challenge isn’t just competing with GPD and OneXPlayer – it’s convincing gamers that a Windows handheld at this price point makes sense when you’ve got established players like Steam Deck and ROG Ally occupying more affordable positions. The high-end handheld market feels increasingly niche, and being the third option in that niche? That’s a tough sell no matter how good your “exclusive TMR” joysticks might be.
