Ever puzzled why some avid gamers nonetheless select telephones over handheld PCs? The AYANEO Cellphone would possibly simply be the right mixture of energy and portability.

I’d annoy you, however I’m curious. Why do some folks spend large on gaming telephones when you would simply seize a handheld PC? Me and my associates had been discussing this the opposite day and realized one downside. If you happen to take your ROG Ally to work or on trip, you want a separate case or bag. A cellphone suits into life a lot simpler. Additionally, you possibly can’t make calls or ship texts from a Steam Deck. That’s the place the AYANEO Cellphone steps in, providing you “a cell phone actually made for avid gamers.”

So what will we learn about AYANEO’s first handset? Spoiler: not a lot, however sufficient for educated guesses.

Design

AYANEO caught everybody off guard with a brief teaser that provides a tiny peek at what’s subsequent. The clip runs beneath two minutes and solely reveals that the AYANEO Cellphone makes use of the REMAKE title. In November 2023, AYANEO confirmed off its REMAKE idea to honor retro tradition with a contemporary product line. I get the thrill, however we don’t have a lot to go on, so let’s decide aside what we will.

The AYANEO Cellphone has two cameras within the top-left nook, plus what seem to be shoulder buttons. Digital camera {hardware} typically will get ignored on gaming telephones, and that’s truthful when manufacturers chase slimmer builds. Even high-end gaming telephones, just like the ASUS ROG Cellphone 9 Professional, don’t pack elite digicam programs. Count on evening or day photographs to fall in need of the OPPO Discover X9 Professional and iPhone 17 Professional Max. Shoulder buttons, alternatively, really feel superior. Simply be able to get hooked and possibly overlook how one can play with out them.

Show

Sure {hardware} options can enhance your gaming expertise. A display screen with a excessive contact response fee issues for aggressive video games as a result of it retains enter lag low. Refresh fee additionally makes an enormous distinction. Some gaming telephones swap between 1 Hz and 120 Hz relying on the exercise, whereas others push as much as 185 Hz for ultrasmooth visuals. To see the place AYANEO stands, let’s test what opponents embody of their handsets.

On the prime of gaming telephones, ASUS equips the entire ROG Cellphone 9 Professional with a 6.78-inch E6 AMOLED show and a 185 Hz refresh fee for easy visuals. In contrast, REDMAGIC makes use of a 6.85-inch AMOLED at 144 Hz on the 10 Professional, whereas the ten Air comes with a 6.8-inch display screen at 120 Hz.

Efficiency

Let’s be actual—irrespective of how the AYANEO Cellphone seems, we’re right here for the efficiency. You may model a gaming cellphone any approach you need, but when it may well’t run video games higher than an everyday cellphone, it received’t matter.

Qualcomm’s latest chips, just like the Snapdragon 8 Elite, can deal with demanding video games with ease. Most flagship telephones in 2025 use this or one thing comparable. Even chips from the final couple of years can nonetheless run fashionable video games, although they received’t be as environment friendly.

AYANEO faces a tricky problem making an attempt to interrupt into the US market. Their units typically include a excessive price ticket, so the corporate wants avid gamers who’re prepared to pay further for a tool made only for them. If the AYANEO Cellphone hits the correct notes—one thing like what the ASUS ROG Cellphone 9 Professional does with the Snapdragon 8 Elite—it may carve out an fascinating area of interest.

It’s doable the AYANEO Cellphone may go together with the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3, just like the REDMAGIC 10 Air, however I’d hope for the Snapdragon 8 Elite. That chip runs quicker, handles duties higher, and makes use of energy smarter, outperforming the 8 Gen 3 in each CPU and GPU duties.

Earlier than you go

We don’t know all of the specs but, but when AYANEO nails efficiency and show like the highest gaming telephones, it may shake up the gaming scene. For now, I’m simply counting the times till the total reveal.

Grigor Baklajyan is a copywriter masking expertise at Gadget Stream. His contributions embody product critiques, shopping for guides, how-to articles, and extra.