The Ayaneo 2S handheld console is making waves in the gaming community due to its powerful hardware and impressive gaming capabilities. This gaming console allows you to enjoy the latest AAA PC titles on a portable Windows 11 platform. With its AMD Ryzen 7840U processor and Radeon 780M graphics, the Ayaneo 2S promises an exceptional gaming experience comparable to other popular handheld consoles like the Asus ROG Ally and Steam Deck.
In this article, we will delve into the world of the Ayaneo 2S handheld console. We’ll explore it’s design, features, gaming performance, and more.
Ayaneo 2S Unboxing
Inside the box, you’ll find the Ayaneo 2S console itself with various accessories neatly packed in separate box. The console is accompanied by a robust 100-watt power adapter capable of charging multiple devices simultaneously. Ayaneo 2S features two USB-C ports and a pair of USB-A ports, making convenient for charging. The power adapter is compatible with different plug types, ensuring usability in any country with a pair of USB-A to USB-C adapters and a USB-C cable.
The package also includes the usual quick start guide, providing you with essential information to get started with your Ayaneo 2S. If you’re feeling adventurous, you’ll find some tools that allow you to perform DIY upgrades on the console. Overall, the unboxing experience is satisfying, and the Ayaneo 2S comes with everything you need to embark on your gaming adventures.
Design
The Ayaneo 2S features a design that may feel familiar if you own its predecessor, the Ayaneo 2. It retains the same overall design, with similar controls and features. This handheld console has a robust build, weighing around 667 grams, giving it a substantial feel in your hands. The Ayaneo 2S console is a bit bulky but offers a solid grip, making it comfortable to hold for extended gaming sessions. If you prefer a lighter and more portable option, you might consider the Ayaneo Air Plus or Pro, or even the Nintendo Switch OLED.
The Ayaneo 2S is available in both white and black color options, with limited edition models featuring unique designs. The front of the console is adorned with an all-glass display, while the sections surrounding the controls are made of impact and scratch resistant glass. The overall finish is clean and minimalistic, without any visible screws or blemishes. Ayaneo 2S Console’s top section features a pair of USB ports, and the bottom section houses a headphone jack and a memory card slot.
Ayaneo 2S Space and Features
When power on the Ayaneo 2S and go through the setup process, you’ll notice that the software interface is almost identical to previous Ayaneo models. The console runs on Windows 11, providing you with a familiar operating system environment. However, the Ayaneo 2S offers something unique called ispace. This feature acts as a gaming hub, allowing you quick access to all your installed games, regardless of the platform, Whether you have games from Steam, Epic Games, or Game Pass, you can find them all in one place. Additionally, ispace provides extensive gaming settings customization options, including joystick controls, sensitivity adjustments, custom shortcuts, and even RGB lighting effects for the thumbsticks.
While ispace offers comprehensive customization features, it may take some time to get used to the interface, as it is quite dense and feature-rich. Storage management could be improved, as the console doesn’t display the sizes of individual games. If you running out of storage, you have the option to expand the storage up to four terabytes. The Ayaneo 2S also includes a memory card slot that supports data transfer speeds of up to 300 megabytes per second.
The Ayaneo 2S shortcuts bar allows you to quickly access settings such as screen brightness, screen resolution, and performance modes. You can choose different performance modes, including power-saving, game mode, and pro mode. The pro mode allows you to manually configure the wattage, maximizing the console’s performance. The Ayaneo 2S provides a comprehensive gaming experience with its customization options and performance settings, although the interface may require some learning curve.
Display
The Ayaneo 2S boasts a 7-inch touchscreen display with a resolution of 1920×1200 pixels. While it doesn’t feature OLED technology like some other handheld consoles, the display is still sharp and offers crisp visuals. The IPS panel provides good contrast, with reasonably deep blacks and vibrant colors. The display performs well, allowing you to fully immerse yourself in games like Returnal, even in darker scenes. However, the display’s maximum brightness may struggle under direct sunlight, requiring you to find shade for optimal visibility. It’s worth noting that the Ayaneo 2S offers a 60Hz refresh rate, as opposed to the 120Hz options available on devices like the Asus ROG Ally. The majority of handheld game Consoles are not designed to take full advantage of higher refresh rates, so this limitation may not significantly impact your gaming experience.
Audio
The Ayaneo 2S features a stereo speaker setup, with both speakers positioned at the bottom of the console. Despite their downward-firing orientation, the speakers deliver powerful sound that reaches high volumes without distortion. The audio quality tends to be slightly tinny, lacking the depth and richness that would enhance the gaming experience. For an optimal audio experience, it’s recommended to use headphones, especially for games with immersive soundtracks. The Ayaneo 2S also includes built-in microphones, allowing you to communicate with teammates without the need for a headset.
Performance & Gaming Test
The Ayaneo 2S shines when it comes to performance, thanks to its upgraded hardware. The console swaps out the previous Ryzen 6800U processor for a more powerful AMD Ryzen 7840U and integrates a Radeon 780M GPU. Ayaneo 2S the RAM options have expanded, with a 64GB model now available alongside the 16GB and 32GB options. You can also connect an external GPU, such as the Razer Core X, for even more gaming power.
The Ayaneo 2S’s upgraded hardware delivers impressive gaming performance, comparable to other handheld consoles like the Asus ROG Ally. When benchmarked using 3DMark’s Time Spy, the Ayaneo 2S achieved a score of 3088, matching the performance of the ROG Ally. It passed stress tests with flying colors, earning a score of 98.6, indicating excellent stability under heavy gaming loads.
To put the Ayaneo 2S to the test, I played some demanding AAA titles. Games like Returnal ran smoothly with respectable frame rates on medium detail settings at 1980×1200 resolution. I was able to enjoy visually stunning games like Forza 5 and Doom Eternal on higher graphics settings, and they looked fantastic on the crisp IPS screen of the Ayaneo 2S.
During my gaming sessions, I didn’t experience any significant drops in frame rates or performance issues. The Ayaneo 2S handled the demanding titles with ease, providing a smooth and immersive gaming experience. It’s worth mentioning that playing Doom Eternal with ultra nightmare settings and ray tracing enabled did result in a lower frame rate, averaging around 15 frames per second. However, disabling ray tracing immediately improved the performance, allowing for a fluid 60 frames per second experience.
Cooling
The Ayaneo 2S features an upgraded cooling system to ensure optimal performance even during intense gaming sessions. It utilizes a high-speed fan, three copper tubes, graphene technology, and large vents to dissipate heat efficiently. Under heavy loads, the fan can become quite loud as it works diligently to expel hot air. However, despite the fan’s noise, the console’s cooling system performs admirably, preventing thermal throttling and maintaining stable performance.
Controls
The Ayaneo 2S boasts excellent controls that cater to a wide range of gaming preferences. The triggers have been improved to provide a smoother experience, enhancing gameplay. The console features a responsive touchscreen, allowing for touch controls when needed. While the Ayaneo 2S lacks a touchpad like the Steam Deck, it compensates with its versatile touchscreen functionality. Overall, the controls are comfortable and well-suited for extended gaming sessions.
Battery
In terms of battery life, the Ayaneo 2S offers standard performance despite an increase in battery capacity. The 5025mAh battery can provide up to two hours of gameplay on a full charge when the console is running at maximum performance. And If you switch to balanced mode, you can extend the battery life around three hours. Keep in mind that more graphically intensive games will consume battery power more rapidly. If you’re planning a long gaming session on Ayaneo 2S, it’s advisable to have a charger or power bank on hand to ensure uninterrupted gameplay.
Final Thoughts
To conclude, the Ayaneo 2S is a powerful handheld console that offers impressive gaming performance. It may not be the most user-friendly handheld console in terms of its interface, it compensates with its customization options and hardware capabilities. The design is sturdy and aesthetically pleasing, and the display delivers sharp visuals. With its upgraded hardware, the Ayaneo 2S handles demanding AAA titles with ease, providing a smooth and enjoyable gaming experience. The cooling system keeps temperatures in check, and the controls are responsive and comfortable. The battery life, while not exceptional, is adequate for shorter gaming sessions.
If you’re searching a portable gaming console that offers high performance and versatility, the Ayaneo 2S is worth considering. It competes with other popular handheld consoles like the Asus ROG Ally and Steam Deck, offering a compelling option for gamers on the go.
FAQs
Can I upgrade the storage capacity of the Ayaneo 2S?
Yes, the Ayaneo 2S supports storage expansion up to four terabytes of storage, providing ample space for your games and files.
Does the Ayaneo 2S support external GPUs?
Yes, you have the option to connect an external GPU, such as the Razer Core X, to further enhance the gaming performance of the Ayaneo 2S.
How long does the battery of the Ayaneo 2S last?
The battery life of the Ayaneo 2S varies depending on the performance mode and the intensity of the games being played. On average, you can expect around two hours of gameplay on a full charge.
The Ayaneo 2S handles demanding AAA titles with ease, providing a smooth and enjoyable gaming experience.
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Design10
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Specs and Features9.5
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Display8.5
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Audio8
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Performance8.5
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Cooling8
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Controls8.4
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Battery Life7
