AYN Opens New Pre-Order Windows for Thor and Odin 3 Handhelds

The Chinese New Year holiday has wrapped up, and AYN is back with concrete timelines for its next wave of Android handhelds. The company has confirmed that pre-orders for both the Thor and Odin 3 will open on March 1, 2026, with shipping slated to begin in April 2026. This announcement comes as AYN ships out its third batch of Thor units, with the Base model already in transit and other variants following next week.

For those tracking the Thor's rollout, this marks the fourth pre-order batch. The first batch began shipping in October 2025, followed by the second in January 2026, and now the third batch is hitting doorsteps. The Odin 3, powered by the Snapdragon 8 Elite, is seeing its fifth pre-order batch open alongside the Thor.

AYN's timing is strategic. The company explicitly notes that these new pre-orders won't be affected by an upcoming price increase scheduled for April. This creates a clear window for buyers to secure either handheld at current prices before costs rise. The Thor remains available with either a Snapdragon 865 or Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 processor, while the Odin 3 continues to push flagship performance with its Snapdragon 8 Elite chipset.

The shipping timeline suggests AYN has streamlined its production pipeline since the initial October launch. Moving from bi-monthly batches to a more predictable schedule indicates the company has addressed early supply chain challenges that plagued many crowdfunded handhelds.

For potential buyers, the March 1 opening represents a critical decision point. Those waiting for price drops or debating between models should note that April's price adjustment could make the current window the most cost-effective opportunity to purchase either device. The Thor's dual-processor options provide flexibility for different performance needs and budgets, while the Odin 3 targets enthusiasts seeking cutting-edge mobile gaming performance.

The April shipping estimate also aligns with typical post-holiday production ramp-ups, suggesting AYN has secured component supplies for this next batch. With the Chinese New Year disruptions now behind them, the company appears positioned to maintain momentum in the competitive Android handheld market.

The timing is particularly relevant as the handheld gaming sector continues to expand, with AYN competing against established players like the Steam Deck and emerging Android alternatives. The Thor's processor options and the Odin 3's flagship silicon position AYN to capture different segments of the growing mobile gaming audience.

Source: AYN via Discord