The Pocket Evo continues AYANEO's Android advance

AYANEO CEO Arthur Zhang shares some tidbits about their upcoming Pocket EVO Android handheld.

When we spoke with AYANEO CEO Arthur Zhang last year, he told us his goal was to create the ‘best handheld in the world’. Since then, the Shenzhen-based hardware manufacturer has continued at a dizzying pace, releasing various new models — such as a Game Boy Micro inspired device, a novel dual-screen portable (ala the DS), and an impressive Android-powered machine with a robust build quality and overall sleek look.

The point here? Well, AYANEO are clearly still gung-ho on creating a slew of portables, not only to serve a variety of wants and needs, but also as a way to really discover what works best in a modern gaming handheld. Some may argue less is more, but AYANEO seem to take a somewhat maximalist approach to hardware releases...

Their latest upcoming creation is dubbed the AYANEO Pocket EVO, and that 'Evo' name is somewhat telling as to what this is device is really about, and how it reflects AYANEO's continued effort to create the 'perfect' handheld that ticks all boxes.

So, this new device (which is currently available to preorder via IndieGoGo with shipping expected before the end of the year), is an Android-based handheld that sports a 7-inch 1080p OLED 120Hz screen and a Snapdragon G3x Gen 2 processor.

Now, those of you with a keen eye will note that this Pocket EVO device looks very similar to AYANEO’s previous 2S handheld. Well, that’s not a happy accident — AYANEO’s own website notes that the EVO name used here stands for ‘evolution’, and that's very much true. The upcoming EVO takes the celebrated design of the Windows-powered 2S handheld, and brings it over to a new Android-based device.

We spoke with company CEO Arthur Zhang about this new handheld, its development, and where AYANEO see it fitting in within their expanding line up.

Zhang pitched the device, which he tells us has been in development since the beginning of this year, as being "the most powerful on the market" within the Android space. AYANEO see this new Pocket EVO portable as a "high-end handheld" aimed at those who want a "flagship-level, high-performance" device — but with the important distinction of offering the Google-owned operating system over the Windows alternative.

This evolution over the 2S goes beyond just the chosen operating system however, as this new EVO iteration is not only thinner and lighter than the previous 2S variant, but also sports a 16:9 screen ratio (rather than the 16:10 found in the older model). Zhang says the Pocket EVO seeks to "continue the legacy of the excellent design" that the company achieved with their award-winning 2S.

Internally this upcoming handheld sports the Snapdragon G3X Gen 2, and Zhang noted that their collaboration with chip maker Qualcomm has been a positive one, praising the companies commitment to "bringing the best gaming processors to gamers". He adds that AYANEO have been working with the Qualcomm team to conduct various performance tuning works across their hardware line-up (such as the Pocket S, and this new EVO handheld) in order to get the best from the integration.

AYANEO Pocket EVO Android handheld in black and white

AYANEO made something of a name for themselves with their original range of Windows-based handheld gaming PCs, but started their foray into the Android world with the Pocket Air last summer. Since then they've also debuted the Pocket S, Pocket DMG, and Pocket Micro — all of which are Android-based portables. Zhang shares that they're continuing with the Android line-up due to "praise and recognition from users".

"As I have mentioned before, our focus on handheld product development stems from my personal passion for handhelds. Therefore, we will continue to invest in Android handhelds and hope to bring more innovative products to gamers."

— Arthur Zhang, AYANEO CEO

Zhang goes on to explain that this current dual-OS approach is done in order to meet the "diverse needs of players" stressing that the company doesn't want to limit themselves to just one category. However....

With AYANEO now offering a variety of handhelds in both Windows and Android flavours, the obvious next step might be to introduce a Linux-powered device. Well, the company did flirt with the idea of doing this, but changed course — and when pressed on whether that had changed, Zhang reiterated the company does not have any plans for a Linux handheld at this time but that they may "consider it in the future if conditions are right".

The full specs for the Pocket EVO are as follows: