Ayaneo Pocket Block spotted – a budget‑friendly vertical handheld that could undercut the Pocket Vert

Ayaneo hasn’t announced a new handheld in months, but a fresh leak suggests the company is already working on its next vertical device. The Ayaneo Pocket Block appears in a set of manuals uploaded to manuals.plus, and a handful of renders – labeled “Bitwave” – have surfaced on the same forum. While the codename remains unclear, the recurring “Pocket” prefix hints that the device will join Ayaneo’s line of pocket‑sized Windows/Android hybrids.

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What we know so far

Feature	Pocket Block (leaked)	Pocket Vert (current)
Chassis material	Plastic shell, plastic buttons	Aluminum frame, glass‑covered side panels
Display	Glass‑covered LCD, vertical orientation	Glass‑covered LCD, vertical orientation
Button layout	Marked ABXY, pill‑shaped SNES‑style surrounds, large D‑Pad, three extra pill buttons (Start, Select, “=”)	Unmarked ABXY, flat tactile caps
Side controls	Power button + volume rocker (right), two customizable buttons + microSD slot (left)	Same arrangement
Heat dissipation	Rear grille directly behind screen	Rear vent with metal fins
Audio	Bottom‑mounted speakers flanking USB‑C & 3.5 mm jack	Same placement
Special button	AYA button (Windows interaction) next to microphone	Same
Ports	USB‑C, 3.5 mm jack, microSD slot	Same

The manual also shows a triple‑slit grille under the screen that houses a microphone, and a small LED indicator for power status. The shoulder buttons sit where fingers naturally rest, mirroring the ergonomics of the Pocket Vert.

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How it stacks up against the Pocket Vert

Build quality

The most obvious difference is material. The Pocket Vert’s aluminum‑glass sandwich feels premium but drives the price north of $500. The Pocket Block swaps the metal for injection‑molded plastic, which should shave a few hundred dollars off the bill while adding a bit of weight. Plastic can also absorb minor drops better than thin aluminum, though it may feel less rigid under heavy thumb pressure.

Button feedback

Ayaneo’s earlier vertical models used flat, unmarked ABXY pads that some users found too shallow for fast inputs. The Pocket Block introduces pill‑shaped caps with clear legends, a design cue borrowed from retro consoles. The larger D‑Pad and the extra “=” button (likely an options/overview key for Android) could make the device more comfortable for emulation or indie game sessions.

Thermal handling

Both devices rely on a rear grille for passive cooling. The Pocket Vert’s metal frame acts as a heat spreader, whereas the Block’s plastic shell will depend entirely on the vent geometry. If the internal cooling solution mirrors the Vert’s (a single fan and a copper heat pipe), the temperature ceiling should stay comparable, but sustained high loads might run hotter.

Price positioning

Assuming Ayaneo keeps the same internals – a Snapdragon 8‑gen 2 or an Intel Core i5‑U – the switch to plastic could bring the launch price into the $399‑$449 bracket. That would make it the most affordable vertical handheld in the market, nudging it ahead of the Steam Deck OLED and putting pressure on the GPD Win 4.

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Who should care?

• Emulation enthusiasts – The larger, labeled ABXY layout and the extra “=” button line up nicely with classic console control schemes. Combined with a vertical screen, the Pocket Block could become a go‑to device for retro titles.
• Mobile gamers on a budget – If the price lands under $450, the Block offers a full‑size screen and a comfortable grip without the premium price tag of the Pocket Vert.
• Android power users – The presence of an AYA button and a clearly marked “=” key suggests deeper Android integration, possibly a custom launcher that leverages those inputs for quick app switching.
• Casual Windows gamers – Should Ayaneo pair the plastic chassis with a low‑power Intel Core i5‑U, the device could still run many Windows titles at 720p, giving a viable alternative to the Steam Deck for users who prefer the Windows ecosystem.

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What’s still missing?

The leak provides no CPU, GPU, RAM, or storage details. Past Ayaneo verticals have used either Intel Tiger Lake-U chips or Qualcomm Snapdragon 8‑gen 2 SoCs. The choice will dictate battery life, heat, and game compatibility. Likewise, battery capacity remains unknown; the Vert packs a 46 Wh cell, and a plastic shell could allow a slightly larger pack without increasing dimensions.

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Bottom line

The Ayaneo Pocket Block looks like a pragmatic response to market pressure for a cheaper vertical handheld. By stripping away the aluminum‑glass chassis and adding more pronounced button legends, Ayaneo may deliver a device that feels familiar, performs adequately, and finally fits under the $450 mark. Until official specs arrive, the community will have to wait, but the images and manual excerpts give a solid preview of what could become the most accessible entry in Ayaneo’s vertical lineup.

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Sources: RetroDeadFred’s X thread, manuals.plus leak, comparison with existing Ayaneo Pocket Vert specifications.