Ayaneo 3 Debuts Zen 5-Powered Gaming Handheld with Modular Controller, Starting at $699

Ayaneo, a well-known name in the world of handheld gaming consoles, has just unveiled its third-generation flagship device, and it’s already generating buzz. Launched via a crowdfunding campaign, the Ayaneo 3 boasts a pioneering modular controller design that’s turning heads. Details from its Indiegogo page reveal that the console introduces a Standard Module, complete with joysticks, a D-pad, and the indispensable ABXY buttons. There’s also a Touchpad Module that swaps joysticks for a touchpad and a Fighting Module, which trades the right ABXY and joystick for a six-button setup.

What truly sets this apart is the versatility offered by the capability to switch and swap between modules or even flip them upside down. This innovative system means you’re looking at a whopping 56 potential layout combinations, perfectly tailored to fit not just your preferences but also the specific demands of different games. However, there’s an interesting wrinkle—the Ayaneo 3 uses a motor for module ejection. While this might overcomplicate the process slightly, we reserve our final opinion until we can actually go hands-on with it.

Under the hood, Ayaneo is pushing boundaries by incorporating AMD’s freshest processor into one of the Ayaneo 3 variants. You can opt for the powerhouse AMD Ryzen AI 9 HX 370 CPU, marking Ayaneo as a trailblazer in introducing this tech to handheld gaming. That said, there’s also the option of the AMD Ryzen 7 8840U, should you feel that even the standard offerings wield more power than you really need.

Diving into the specifications, users have choices galore. There’s a 7-inch 120 Hz LCD with up to 500 nits of brightness or, if you want to up the ante, a 7-inch 144 Hz OLED display with brightness hitting 800 nits. Since the pricing for both screen types is pretty much equivalent, your decision will likely boil down to personal preference. Memory configurations start at 16GB with the 8840U variant, while selecting the HX 370 processor pushes it to an impressive 64GB. Storage is just as flexible, starting at 512GB but stretching up to a robust 4TB, ensuring you don’t need to uninstall games to make room for new ones.

With a starting price set at $899 for the base Ayaneo 3 model, which doesn’t include the additional controller modules, the cost can rise to $2,099 if you’re aiming for the full spec setup. That said, savvy buyers can snag a discount ranging from $200 to $300 by jumping into the crowdfunding campaign early.

Be mindful, though, that the less pricey configurations lack those extra controller modules. They’re generally included with most 64GB/2TB versions but aren’t available separately. So, if these modules are a must-have for you, reaching into your pocket for the pricier Ayaneo 3 variants is necessary.

As of now, Ayaneo has successfully smashed its crowdfunding goal of $50,000. This achievement points toward a promising road ahead for the Ayaneo 3, with production likely on its way. Given Ayaneo’s solid reputation for fulfilling its crowdfunding promises, backers can be cautiously optimistic about receiving exactly what they’ve signed up for.

Still, it’s crucial to remember that backing a crowdfunded project always comes with inherent risks. Even with a stellar track record from a company, investing at this stage means you’re effectively partaking in the product’s journey—and bearing some of the risk. The flip side? You’ll enjoy exclusive early bird discounts and the thrill of being among the first to lay hands on this cutting-edge tech.