Ayaneo Next 2 Debuts with Ryzen AI Max+ 395, 116 Whr Battery, and Premium Price Tag

Chinese gaming hardware specialist Ayaneo has officially unveiled its latest flagship handheld gaming console, the Next 2, featuring AMD's powerful Ryzen AI Max+ 395 processor and what the company claims is the largest built-in battery in the handheld gaming category.

The Next 2 represents Ayaneo's most ambitious handheld to date, with a starting price of $1,799 for the base configuration and scaling up to $4,299 for the fully specced model. The device is now available for pre-order through Indiegogo, following Ayaneo's established crowdfunding approach for its premium handhelds.

Hardware Specifications

At the heart of the Next 2 lies AMD's Ryzen AI Max+ 395, a Strix Halo processor that combines sixteen Zen 5 CPU cores with the Radeon 8060S integrated GPU. This APU configuration is designed to deliver performance that Ayaneo suggests could rival laptop-class GPUs like the RTX 4060.

The processor supports up to 128GB of unified LPDDR5X memory running at 8,000 MT/s, with the ability to allocate up to 96GB specifically for VRAM. This massive memory pool enables the Next 2 to handle demanding games and applications that would typically require discrete graphics solutions.

For users seeking a more modest configuration, Ayaneo is also offering the Next 2 with the Ryzen AI Max 385, which features 8 CPU cores, Radeon 8050S graphics, 32GB of memory, and a 1TB SSD.

Display and Controls

The handheld sports a large 9.06-inch custom OLED display with a resolution of 2400x1504. The panel supports an adjustable refresh rate of up to 165 Hz, with selectable modes at 60 Hz, 120 Hz, 144 Hz, and 165 Hz. While Ayaneo highlights the display's 100% DCI-P3 color coverage and peak brightness of up to 1,155 nits, the company hasn't clarified whether the panel supports variable refresh rate technology.

Control options are extensive, featuring adjustable-torque TMR Hall-effect joysticks (claimed to be a first for Windows handhelds), Hall-effect linear triggers with a dual-lock switch on the rear, an 8-way floating D-pad, four customizable rear buttons, and dual smart touchpads positioned on either side of the display. The device also includes front-facing stereo speakers for audio output.

Battery and Portability

Perhaps the most striking specification is the Next 2's 116 Whr battery, which Ayaneo claims is the largest in its category. For context, this capacity significantly exceeds the 99 Whr limit that most airlines impose on lithium batteries without special clearance. The massive battery aims to provide extended gaming sessions despite the power-hungry Strix Halo processor.

However, this impressive battery capacity comes with trade-offs in portability. The Next 2 weighs 3.14 lbs (approximately 1.42 kg), more than double the weight of Valve's Steam Deck at 1.47 lbs. The device is also larger than current-generation handhelds like the Asus ROG Ally X, making it less pocket-friendly but potentially more comfortable for extended gaming sessions.

Connectivity and I/O

The handheld offers comprehensive connectivity options, including two USB4 Type-C ports with charging and DisplayPort support, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 5.4, a 3.5mm headphone jack, and a microSD card expansion slot. These ports provide flexibility for charging, video output, and peripheral connectivity.

Market Position and Competition

The Next 2 enters a competitive handheld gaming market that includes devices like the Steam Deck, Asus ROG Ally series, and the recently released GPD Win 5, which also features the Ryzen AI Max+ 395 processor. However, the GPD Win 5 uses a detachable external battery rather than a built-in one, making the Next 2 unique in its category for combining the Strix Halo chip with an integrated high-capacity battery.

Ayaneo's pricing strategy positions the Next 2 as a premium device targeting enthusiasts willing to pay for cutting-edge performance and features. The $1,799 base price and $4,299 top configuration place it well above mainstream handhelds, reflecting the high-end components and large battery.

The device will be available in white and black color options, with Ayaneo leveraging its experience in the handheld market to deliver what it positions as a no-compromise Windows gaming experience in a portable form factor.

The Next 2's combination of AMD's most powerful mobile APU, massive memory capacity, large high-refresh OLED display, and unprecedented battery capacity for a handheld represents a significant push toward blurring the lines between portable gaming devices and compact gaming laptops.