Ayaneo seems determined to make a big entrance with the Air 1S. AMOLED, AMD Ryzen 7 7840U, 18mm thick and only 450 grams.
Ayaneo Air 1S // Source: Ayaneo
The race for supremacy in the high-end handheld gaming console market is more intense than ever. After GPD, Ayaneo, the longtime specialist in this field, recently announced the launch of its latest toy: the Air 1S. This is a product that the company says can compete with Valve’s Steam Deck and the Asus ROG Ally.
Ayaneo, known for its range of portable consoles, is a company that has extensive experience in the manufacture of this type of device. The Air 1S appears to be a product designed to showcase Ayaneo’s craftsmanship.
What does it have to offer?
The Air 1S is powered by an AMD Ryzen 7 7840U processor (AMD Radeon 780M GPU), a chip that boasts solid performance. In addition, the device will be equipped with a 5.5-inch diagonal AMOLED screen with 1080p resolution, a rather unusual feature for this type of product where LCD screens are more common. The AMOLED display delivers more vivid colors and deeper blacks, which will no doubt enhance the gaming experience. Of course, it comes with Windows 11 Pro.
Ayaneo Air 1S // Source: Ayaneo
What sets this version apart is the compact size of the console. Ayaneo has managed to create a much smaller device than its previous models, with the thinnest model being just 18mm thick. In addition, the Air 1S with a weight of 450 grams is significantly lighter than the Steam Deck, which weighs around 669 grams. However, this reduction in size and weight does not compromise the quality of the controls, which include reliable components such as joysticks and Hall-effect sensors.
Ayaneo Air 1S // Source: Ayaeo
Ayaneo uses the Indiegogo crowdfunding platform to secure orders and also offers the option of ordering directly on its own website. While this approach makes the ordering process a bit more involved for some, it gives Ayaneo more leeway in the development and delivery of its products.
Ayaneo Air 1S // Source: Ayaneo
However, Ayaneo products are not exactly cheap. Prices for these high-end portable consoles typically start at around $1,000.
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