Game Changer: Unleashing the Power of Ayaneo 2S - The Ultimate Gaming Handheld!

Gaming PC handhelds have been present in the industry for a while now, but recently, devices like the Steam Deck and companies like OneX have gained significant attention in the gaming community. Ayaneo, another company in this market, has been competing for recognition alongside more well-known brands.

With their latest product, the Ayaneo 2S, the company aims to make a strong impact by offering a handheld gaming PC equipped with a powerful APU, a distinctive design, and the advantage of running Windows 11. Ayaneo specifically targets gamers who appreciate the customization and freedom that PC gaming provides, while also offering performance at an affordable price. The Ayaneo 2S positions itself strategically in the market, making it even more difficult for gamers to choose their preferred handheld PC. After extensively testing the device for several weeks, it is safe to say that Ayaneo has successfully met or even exceeded its goals.

Boasting an LCD display with a resolution of 1900x1200 and a refresh rate of 60Hz, the Ayaneo 2S stands out in terms of its screen quality. The higher resolution requires more power from the hardware and battery, but the display itself is sharp and clear. With a slightly different aspect ratio that complements the design of the Ayaneo 2S, we have received no complaints regarding its color reproduction or overall quality. While power is important, a lackluster display can make it all meaningless, but this one truly impresses. Additionally, for those who prefer not to use wired or wireless headphones, the Ayaneo 2S's speakers deliver solid performance.

Some games do not support the 1900x1200 resolution of the display, requiring users to play in windowed fullscreen mode with black bars on the top and bottom. However, this was only a minor issue as we found very few games that did not support the 16:10 aspect ratio, and the letterboxing did not prove to be distracting.

The Ayaneo 2S has its own dashboard, called AyaSpace, which allows users to easily access their game library from multiple launchers. It also provides options to adjust settings such as resolution, TDP (for controlling power consumption and graphical settings), and fan speed. Although AyaSpace is straightforward for advanced users, it may be more complex for novice gamers seeking a simple and easy gaming experience. One major drawback we encountered was that the software would reset to Chinese after every update, requiring us to manually find the language menu and switch the device back to English.

AYANEO 2S Specs

Screen: 7-inch IPS 1900x1200

CPU: AMD Ryzen 7 7840U

GPU: AMD Radeon 780M

Memory: Up to 64GB LPDDR5X 7500MHz

Storage: Up to 4TB

Connectivity: Wifi 6E, Bluetooth 5.2

Size: 264.5x105.5x21.55mm

Weight: 667g

Performance

One notable advantage of the Ayaneo 2S device is its compatibility with Windows 11, making it a true handheld PC. It has the capability to run various games and gaming software, provided they are downloaded onto the device. Additionally, the AyaSpace software can access the library of the respective game launchers. The Ayaneo 2S's ability to support Game Pass games, Destiny 2, and Diablo 4 is a significant benefit, further enhanced by its powerful hardware.

Windows 11 and PC gaming, in general, have their own unique quirks that can occasionally lead to troubleshooting. While finding solutions using a keyboard or mouse is relatively simple on a PC, using touch controls to address the same issues can be challenging. Fortunately, we didn't encounter any problems that couldn't be resolved with a quick restart, and Ayaneo has even included controller options that allow users to bring up a keyboard or mimic mouse movement. However, this is just a characteristic of PC gaming, which offers an open system. While a more closed system might result in fewer problems, it also means limited access to a wide range of games.

In addition to providing unrestricted access, the Ayaneo 2S also offers freedom when it comes to gaming power. Equipped with the AMD Ryzen 7 7840U APU, this device is a powerhouse in terms of handheld gaming performance. Users can use AyaSpace to customize their TDP and resolution settings, allowing for a variety of gaming experiences. However, those looking to truly push the limits of the 2S will find that Ayaneo's device is the best choice for handheld PC gaming.

Some of the more demanding PC games like Cyberpunk 2077 or Destiny 2 can achieve 30FPS or more, while indie games like the recently released Dave the Diver or Planet of Lana can reach a smooth 60 FPS with minimal sacrifices. The Ayaneo 2S stands out with its impressive performance, offering ample room for customization and allowing users to meet their targets with ease.

Design

The exceptional performance of the content fragment results in a significant drain on the battery. In our tests, using the maximum 22W TDP option, known as "Game Mode," we rarely exceeded one hour of battery life on the 2S. Switching to the 15W "Balance" mode improved battery performance slightly, providing close to two hours of usage. While there are ways to optimize the Ayaneo 2S for each game's performance and visuals, handheld PC gaming still has inherent limitations, including battery life. Powering such a powerful device requires a considerable amount of energy.

Game Rant received the white version of the Ayaneo 2S for this review, although it is also available in black. The handheld console has a more rounded shape compared to many of its competitors, ensuring a comfortable grip. The back of the device is squared off to further enhance the grip. At the top of the device, there are two USB-C ports, one specifically for quick charging. Additionally, there is a power button with a fingerprint sensor, volume controls, and customizable function buttons called LC and RC buttons. These buttons can perform various actions depending on whether they are pressed briefly or held down. On the bottom of the device, there is another USB-C port, a headphone jack, and a micro SD card slot with a cover.