AYANEO's new Windows handheld costs up to $4,299 and weighs 1.4kg

AYANEO has confirmed pricing for its NEXT 2 Windows handheld, with costs ranging from $1,799 to $4,299 depending on configuration, according to the company's sharing session. The device will feature AMD Ryzen AI Max+ processors and is estimated to ship overseas in June 2026. Early bird discounts reduce prices by $200-$800 across different models.

Premium positioning in handheld market

The AYANEO NEXT 2 price sits at the premium end of the Windows handheld market. The entry-level configuration with Ryzen AI Max 385, 32GB RAM, and 1TB storage starts at $1,799 for early birds or $1,999 at retail.

Two higher-end models use the Ryzen AI Max+ 395 processor. The mid-tier version with 64GB RAM and 1TB storage costs $2,299 early bird or $2,699 retail. The flagship model with 128GB RAM and 2TB storage reaches $3,499 early bird or $4,299 at full retail price.

AYANEO attributed the high pricing partly to recent DRAM cost increases discussed during their session. The company noted that similar high-end competitors initially announced prices around $400 lower but have since adjusted upward.

High-end specifications and design

The device features a 9.06-inch OLED display with 2400×1504 resolution, supporting refresh rates up to 165Hz and reaching 1,155-nit brightness. Memory configurations use LPDDR5X-8533 with options for 32GB, 64GB, or 128GB depending on the model.

Storage support includes two M.2 slots: one 2280 slot and one 2230 slot, both supporting PCIe 4.0 connectivity. The device includes dual fans with vapour chamber cooling, two USB-C ports with USB4 40Gbps support, plus DisplayPort 1.4 and Power Delivery 3.0.

Other features include Wi-Fi and Bluetooth 5.4, a fingerprint sensor built into the power button, and Windows 11 64-bit Home. The substantial build weighs approximately 1,426g - significantly heavier than typical handheld gaming devices.

Battery raises travel concerns

The NEXT 2 includes a 116Wh built-in battery, which exceeds the 100Wh threshold used by many airlines for carry-on approval. During the sharing session, AYANEO's founder specifically mentioned that passengers may need to submit airline approval forms before flying with the device.

This creates potential complications for international travellers, particularly those in regions like the UAE where business and leisure travel is common. Different airlines have varying policies for high-capacity batteries, and approval processes can add complexity to travel planning.

The large battery capacity is necessary to power the high-performance AMD processors and bright OLED display, but it positions the device as more of a desktop replacement than a truly portable handheld.

Competitive landscape

The AYANEO NEXT 2 competes against other Strix Halo handhelds including the OneXPlayer OneXfly Apex and GPD Win 5. The OneXfly Apex weighs just 698g for the device alone, while the GPD Win 5 weighs around 550g without its external battery pack.

Pricing across competitors has increased since initial announcements. The OneXfly Apex now costs $1,759-$2,899 depending on configuration, while the GPD Win 5 ranges from $2,122-$3,393. All three devices use similar AMD Ryzen AI Max+ processors but differ significantly in weight, cooling solutions, and design approaches.

The market positioning suggests these devices target PC gaming enthusiasts rather than mainstream handheld users, with prices significantly higher than established options like the Steam Deck or potential Xbox handhelds.

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