AYANEO Air In-Depth Review
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- Опубликовано: 22 июл 2024
- The AYANEO Air is the latest handheld PC to enter a crowded market, but it has some pretty cool distinguishing characteristics: it's ultra small for what it can do, and features a beautiful OLED panel with 1080p resolution. Let's take a deep dive look at this handheld and see if it's worth the $500+ asking price. Additionally, is it supposed to be a "Steam Deck killer" or a "Switch killer"? I can never keep them straight.
More info here: www.ayaneo.com/product/AYANEO...
Written guide with links to helpful tools: retrogamecorps.com/2022/08/09...
This was a review unit sent to me by the manufacturer. All opinions are my own, they did not see this review ahead of time, and no money was exchanged in any way.
Timestamps:
00:00 introduction
02:26 tech specs & unboxing
03:51 hardware impressions
09:02 comparison with other handhelds
10:49 screen, audio, and fan noise
14:26 AYA Space software
16:21 TDP, framerate, and resolution
18:54 battery life
20:34 PC game testing
24:09 retro game emulation testing
26:38 N64, DS, Saturn, Dreamcast, PSP
28:42 GameCube, PS2, 3DS
31:56 Wii U, PS3, Xbox, Switch
35:58 summary (likes & dislikes)
38:48 conclusion
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This video is for entertainment and educational purposes only.
#AYANEO #SteamDeck #pcgaming 
Игры
Thanks Russ for these videos. I always appreciate them since I'm huge into emulation devices and handhelds. Your videos are extremely helpful as always.
Excellent review, Russ! Thanks for going so in-depth with this. This device feels close to the dream handheld in some ways, but far away in others. Hopefully future iterations can address some of the issues you mentioned here.
I don't think I'll buy this because I really want a device with 6800U + OLED, but THANK THE LORD for AMD allowing devices of this kind to come to market. I'm loving the x86 handheld market right now.
You're gonna be waiting quite a while for something like that. There are no in demand panels that can be purchased in mass to make OLED units that fit these kinds of products yet.
@@bluemidnight5926 this sell well and people back it up in IGG
Mybe they're launching nxt yr with 6800U+oled by the time little Phoenix/dragon range comes to market
@@HuntaKiller91 Hopefully by winter of next year. I don't really see it happening to be honest, but it would be awesome to have a 6800U device with OLED and a decent sized display.
@@bluemidnight5926 yeah, I understand I’ll be waiting a while. I’m expecting it won’t be this year, but most likely will be next year, with an APU perhaps superior to the 6800U.
@@chanunnaki Definitely. The 7000 series cards have already been announced. My plan is to keep my Steam Deck pre-order, then whenever one of these handheld PC manufacturers finally make something decent with OLED, that's when I'll sell my Deck and buy in.
As much as I love oled I can’t justify a “portable” device that only lasts an hour for $500
I can’t even justify a $400 device that only lasts two hours, let alone one that costs $500 and lasts an hour.
Just completely unacceptable battery life.
Agreed! I got an Odin, I'm playing AAA games with like a 8-10hour battery, streaming! It's awesome!
Same here! I almost pre-ordered the Loki thing from that dodgy company. It's a good thing he reviews these things. I mean this cannot do proper Xbox emulation and lasts an hour. My laptop aces these handhelds. The "early adapters" will regret buying these. Modded Switch or a Xbox Series S are better choices right now.
@@KyleRuggles yup. I came from the RG552 to the Odin and now I feel spoiled with the Odin’s battery life. I can’t imagine myself going for another device with lesser battery now.
I love when you tell me to kick back get a drink, it makes me enjoy your videos that much more so when I look back I remember I was relaxed and enjoyed your video!
Thank you for posting this video, I was expecting allot more from this device.
Thank you for testing TY the Tasmanian tiger, I was unsure if you would when you asked for things Id like to see in your next video . It really made my day to see you run the game on this system. You are my go to guy for retro systems!
I’m actually glad this device was so heavily reviewed. The poor battery life is killer and hopefully Aya take note for the Neo 2.
Great in-depth video. I'm waiting for the plus and this is a great peak what to expect. I'm happy you added in the battery life time as requested. I see it take you a lot of time to make this comparison but for me at least the battery time is one of the most selling point so I hope you continue to do this. Then you can come back and compare different devices. Thanks for all the effort you put into this.
Thank you SO MUCH for testing Destiny 2 so thoroughly Russ!! Really appreciate it! I didn't actually expect to see it when I asked you to test it in your community post, so my jaw dropped a little bit when it was the first thing shown haha
Thank you for your in-depth review. can tell that you have spent a super long time to make this vid. Great work
One of the things a different review mentioned that I don't think you did is that both the top and bottom USB-C port can be used for power. This to me is awesome, and actually a really big deal that vastly raises the usability of this thing. It had to be difficult to pull off but it's going to be worth it.
You're going to want to use this thing plugged in a lot, there's just no getting around that. But you gotta think about it not just in terms of specs, but in how you're actually gonna use it. When I think about where and how I'm going to use it, having the option of running the cable either above or below is one of those things I didn't realize I really wanted until I found out I could have it.
The battery life of this device is its Achilles heel. Great device, great design and great specs, undermined by completely unusable battery life.
I've been thinking, maybe someone can develop a case-battery for this thing that can extend it by maybe 30% - 50%
@@Fldllse and crappy sound.
@@Fldllse the pro version is between 20% to 40% longer battery according to the constructor.
The Li-Ion substitute tech is taking to long to mass produce and take over. Been hearing about it for over 20 years now... (loud sigh)
Solid State or anything else, double energy density would be amazing.
At $500, I'd expect better battery life too.
i admire your dedication, Russ. really, i do. we, viewers, don't see it but i cannot imagine how many hrs of work you put into getting all this footage and numbers. that's why folks like you and Cary (the foxy Phawx) get an extra special bag of respect from me personally.
Hi Russ! Great video as always! I know this might be a long shot but would you consider making a video comparison between multiple VERTICAL handhelds? I know many people would appreciate it as many of us love that form factor and I think it would be handy as the holidays are right around the corner. Anyway, thank you for everything and keep it with the good stuff! Cheers!
I LOVE your decision to use the "left side, explain the pros, move unit to the right, explain the cons" thing you do. It's a perfect transition.
Russ is a PRO
Great review. I love this channel.
Great video as always! I have my order locked. Will be perfect for indie games, light emulation and streaming
👏 👏 👏 just taking a moment to applaud the intense amount of time and effoet put into your vids. You're the King of hand held reviews in my humble opinion. 👌 👑
I ended up pulling the trigger on this. As much as I’d like the Steam Deck or the Ayn Loki this device will actually ship at the end of August and looks to fulfill what I’m looking for in a Windows handheld.
Fantastic video as usual! just to confirm, all these tests where done on the air lite model right? so on the pro model your battery tests should be better right?
Definitely drawn to that OLED technology, but the small size and especially with 6000 series handhelds on the horizon, I don't think I could drop my moneys on this one. Fingers crossed for a larger screened OLED 6800U model somewhere in the pipeline!
Very nice looking device. The Phawx, in his video recommends the pro version of this because of the battery life and possible heat dissipation benefits.
Thank you. You’re great reviewer! I’ve bought one Aya neo air semi pro😂 (5560u) same species the normal but battery similar to the pro.
I just got one for 360. I’m excited.
Price for this should’ve been $350 (battery life) & the Pro $400-450 but still a great looking device! I kinda want one or a Steam deck, but the deck waiting time is insane 😭
Wait time on Deck is way down. Did you put in a preorder when they announced they can fulfill everything this year?
$250 max!
@@DJDanceClassic lol that’s a giant stretch. if that’s your budget get a dedicated retro handheld.
@@maxducoudray Yeah im wanting a device while i wait for the steam deck but honestly, i can just wait for my october-december steam deck
You know how much cost a laptop with similar processor?
wooww the Oled intro! 😍
Another great review. While I didn't order a AyaNeo Air, I'm patiently waiting on my Analogue Pocket and Ayn Loki Zero. Can't wait for your review of and suggested tweaks for the Loki Zero. One question thought: Why didn't you use Emulation Station Desktop Version instead of Retrobat?
You might have answered this before, but have you looked into grips for your Switches?
12:02 feeling alot better about myself today thanks retro game corp
Was waiting for Russ's review and it did not disappoint! The Phawx also recommended the Pro version which has better but still rather lacking battery life at a high price point. It's a shame as the build quality, oled screen and controls are awesome. Willing to wait for my ultimate Windows handheld which has clam shell, 7 inch oled screen, large battery at least 3 hours on demanding games, ergonomic gaming controls with keyboard and trackpad, decent thermals and build quality, under 500 grams, AMD 5825U or similar, basically a GPD Win 2 upgrade.
Your description is pretty close to the Ayaneo Flip. I don't think OLED is going to be on the cards anytime soon for a display that size, unless people would settle on the Switches 720p panel, but I don't even think companies would even entertain the idea of including a panel with that low of a resolution. Personally, I would love a 720p OLED panel, as I mostly plan on playing all games at 720p to conserve battery life and performance anyway.
big fan. Excelent Work
I love this type of long videos.
((Before going to bed))
I’d love this. Aya Neo are getting so good at producing decent Windows machines now. They might not be the fastest, but they’re certainly more portable than Steamdeck and I really prefer the form factor.
I have a Loki Max on pre-order. I was really loving the look of this too and was considering it, but that battery life, just makes no sense to me. My Odin Pro smokes it on battery life already. Shame because an OLED screen, hall joysticks, and this build quality are really attractive
Honestly im thinking about it having a smaller device than my steam deck sounds great, the steam deck will probably never leave my house but this i could see bringing to say a friends house or a long trip. I mostly play 7th gen games like mk9 and bo2 so battery might not be a big problem
Let's hope qualcomm make a killer ARM soc for Windows in the near future. Pc handheld with battery life rivalling phone is an absolute dream for retro enthusiast.
This company is pumping out game units every few months! Great product but there is an obvious reason why switch oled and steamdeck are leaders in this handheld undustry:-)
One question; can you automically set different TDPs depending on if you're plugged to an outlet?
I love the Age of Empires 2 test you snuck in. I've often wondered how awkward it would feel playing real time strategy games on something like this.
Bluetooth Mouse maybe?
@@mathisblair2798 I assume that would be the way to go.
aesthetically it looks really pleasing
I'm excited for this device I'm going for the 1499 version
That's a reaaaal in depth review!
Btw. Became a Kickstarter for the AOKZOE A1 after your review, but can you do a in depth for that one, too?
Unfortunately I already shipped that one back, so I won’t be able to do another video on it unless they send me a retail review unit.
I'll definitely wait for the "next... next" iterations instead as I need the money for some important expenses and I just got the Odin Base a few months ago.
The battery life is a buzzkill, but the prospect of more choices is better than just only a few.
This device REALLY would have benefitted from waiting for a more efficient chip. Anything with RDNA2 would be able to deliver the same performance at a significantly lower wattage and would have made battery life more acceptable.
They do offer a device with another chipset but it is almost double the price as the original models which doesn't make it worth it anymore.
Wont fit unfortunately (they commented on the lack of 6000s series as a size issue)
@@therealsplatter yeah 6600U at the same price would be a good deal but currently their entire lineup makes no sense.
You can check out that I3 version with an upgraded battery, sips less power. Or wait for that new AMD processor coming out later this year.
Awesome! I have always wanted breath of the wild to be portable
It's finally here!
I'm saving money for the Loki Zero! Hopefully it'll be a nice addition with my Switch💖💖
Jeez, and I thought my other device's 3.5 hours battery life was bad...
1 hours is just...wow...
If next year's device has a 6" display and some incremental improvement in all specs, that'll be the time for me to get a handheld gaming PC.
i wish AYA went all the way and played more with the OLED display with things like built in software filters (for example to imitate CRT scanlines) and tuned black frame insertion at 60Hz
If you peeled of the “do not peel” label, but not the rest, would you have an instant screen protector?
"Next Year's Devices Will Be Even Better" Legit, this can be used for basically any yearly released electronic product. Everything is always better "just around the corner".
Exactly. That's why these indepth reviews are great. Does it have what you're looking for? Then have at it, or wait a bit longer.
I finally feel lost again about which device I should purchase or wait for (which I think is overall a good thing).
How would this device compare against the i3 16gb Loki Mini Pro?
Russ: "If you're pushing the limits, this gets hot enough in the hand to be uncomfortable."
Ayaneo: "Oh, it won't be a problem for long...."
On a 5.5 inch screen I think you can lower the resolution even further, like 800x600 or something like that and it would still look great, i mean, the ps vita is 5 inches and a resolution of 768x432 looks great!
Are you going to do a review of the cheaper 8GB RAM model? I'm interested how much of a difference it is considering the price.
If steamdeck is not available at retail stores by this year I will buying Aya neo air
I put in a reservation for steam deck and a Loki max. The air pro version seems like a fine unit, but I'm willing to wait a bit longer for an rdna2 apu.
Agreed. Buying Vega in H2 2022 is a weird move.
Hi Russ, Im From Brazil and like always, I wait for your deep review ( Is one of the most complet ) Congrats. But I have one thing to add, if its possible you could put de references values from others handhelds in the screen cornner, like you put in that button`s part, so we can compare for exemple screen large, or size, or even battery, well this is just a detail, but if you think it make sense I would be realy thankfull.. Thank you and hugs from Brazilll
¿Have you update the drivers of the graphic card? I'vee seen other videos running decently switch and ps3.
Otherwise good review 👌
Yes, all drivers are up to date.
I don't find the 1-hour battery life or even 2-hour battery life acceptable for my standards on a portable console, as I won't be able to enjoy long playtimes with RPG's. I'm glad these reviews are coming out as it makes my choices easier within the growing market.
I noticed all these other Handheld Devices including the one weaker than Steam Deck,you can bring the TDP up to 25W or more but Steam Deck it would only all me to control it from 12TDP and down,I wonder if there’s a way to unlock to bring TDP up to 25W
You are the only reviewer who I trust at this point. Both Taki and ETA gloss over too many details.
What will the battery life be of the aya neo air plus? If it is also not good then I get an ayn loki mini pro.
I'll probably get a Loki Mini pro with the I3/battery upgrade. ETA's video on that processor is impressive. ruclips.net/video/Tg9WYqrUxA8/видео.html
So what's better this is my 3rd time asking now this aya neo air or the Ayn lokie mini pro??? Almost seem the same but Ayn loki is way cheapier too.
Is it alright to play this while charging? Will the battery be damage if I play it while charging? I'm planning to buy my first ever handheld console so yeah😅.
(Sorry for my bad english, it is my second language)
The build quality is exceptional. GPD should take note and feel ashame.
Ordered the air base model (black) should compliment the steam Deck nicely. Battery does suck balls but I wont be commuting with it, plus my power bank will give me extra juice if not near a socket.
LOL Russ just can't resist mentioning pinky-placement in almost every device review!
Sounds like an amzing device, price looks right, the sticks are way ahead of any other company, even the big 3 and steam, size and screen look great but seems it came out a little to early, 1hr gameplay and just a little shy of the power it need to be a all in one portable device. v2.0 (if we ever get it) is going to be a killer
can this run switch emu well?can we set more VM and oc gpu in bios?steam os or windws?
Hoping this sells well even if it's subpar for me
Ayaneo should refresh this with better battery and 6800U asap
6600U would be more reasonable for cooling and battery life but I agree that VEGA graphics are a no go compared to RDNA 2 efficiency.
Mine should be coming in the next few weeks. I'm planning on using Moonlight for pretty much everything since I already have a 3080 powered PC. Using Moonlight rather than natively running games installed on the device sidesteps pretty much EVERY issue this device has so I'm hyped. And since this is the only handheld with an OLED, that makes every other handheld irrelevant for me haha. I've already been using Moonlight on my iPhone at 1080p60 and its been flawless.
did u buy it from indiegogo? is it safe to buy from there (i've never bought from there, and i'm based in the U.K)
@@segafrog thats totally dependent on who you give money too. Some companies are more reputable than others. AyaNeo has been good, whereas Ayn has been less successful at meeting demand for their Odin handhelds. And you shouldn’t look at it like you’re “buying” a product on IGG. Its crowdfunding, not Amazon. So that always has its risks.
@@velazkid thanks!, i'm gonna go for it .. . . ..Has your one been shipped yet?
@@segafrog Yup! Should be here on the 12th.
@@velazkid brilliant. i'm buying one as soon as the funds clear (i sweet-talked my mum into giving me the money to buy one but the funds haven't transferred over yet (shameful i know, lol)😄 ... . Am pretty sure it'll be the right handheld for me because 1: it's actually a 'handheld' as in it's not too heavy to hold for long periods, 2: it's OLED which i love for the rich colours and 'real black' not washed-out greys, and 3: it's plenty powerful enough for the kinds of games & emulators i like. Peace out dude and i'll check in on your channel in a week or two to see if you do an opening/review etc 👍
I have the system and I have no problems with it. The battery life is not the greatest but I carry a charger with me wherever I go. No big deal
I would actually love to know how well the battery lasts when playing strictly 7th console generation games the correct settings and lowered tdp. I would hope those older games wouldn't drain the battery as quickly because they don't require beefy hardware these days. This has the potential to be a fantastic 7th to 8th gen handheld.
Oh and just to clarify I meant 7th gen native pc ports, not emulation.
This is actually a good point, playing with switch made me realized I don't really enjoy playing modern AAA games on the go, nor online competitive games for the obvious wifi issues, find myself playing lower spec simpler games on portable mode so older pc games/ports could be a good idea, right off the bat im thinking The Italian Job, midtown madness and maybe quake
What generation of games is 7th gen?
@@EliseoTorres-Morales 360/ps3 era
Is FSR 2.0 available? Apparently it lowers TDP levels a lot.
I back the IGG last week only because the AYN Loki launch is looking iffy. I do feel that I'm overpaying for what is likely to be a less capable device but it's very likely to ship a lot sooner. Besides having to plug in more often, this ticks most of my boxes. Thanks for the real world gaming tests. This does all I plan on using it for pretty well, which is indie to mid-tier graphic titles from the Game Pass PC library. You mentioned being able to add GOG and Epic Games to the front end launcher. I assume you can add Xbox app titles as well, right?
Yes, you can add Xbox games as well. A few that I tested in this video (like Peppa Pig and that racing car golf game) are from GamePass, but I forgot to mention that.
@@RetroGameCorps Thanks for the speedy reply. Love your videos. They've helped me a ton.
Russ,
If you had to venture a guess,
How much worse do you think the Mendocino version of the Loki mini Pro will preform compared to this?
How about the intel version as well ? What do your think ?
@@peterd7009 we do have performance on the i3 if that is what you are asking.
there are no official specs of its gpu yet so its best to not make any guesses.
And my other question is too how do you download all those emulators on the device from windows do you use android play store or.do you use windows Google playstore????? Thank you I need help.
When is it officially available, cuz the website says its not guaranteed you'll get one
It may be difficult to ever go back to the smaller screen after that 7" sweet spot
Thanks for the review Russ. It's cool and desirable but the price/performance/battery life doesn't stack up for me. So ... review unit giveaway when? :)
Can the 8GB ram version of the ayaneo air run wii/gamecube with 0 issues?
@2:54 What exactly is a "Zen 3 iGPU"? Is it RDNA ? RDNA2? How about a relevant stat?
Here is more information on the chip. www.amd.com/en/products/apu/amd-ryzen-5-5560u
Is the ayaneo pro 2021 more powerful then this device?
I've always wanted a handheld pc, but can't afford it. Might make my own with a pc stick and 3d printed case.
It seems like PC gaming basically just requires playing near an outlet. Essentially if you need something portable that you can take to different outlets, then aya neo air makes sense. The switch tegra chip is optimized to be power efficient, so it is more of a practical portable gaming solution. I was looking for something to use with my nreal air glasses, and even though switch requires a dock and an adapter just to output to them, you don't need an outlet nearby to play.
Did you manage to run Switch games? I’m struggling to it. It only opened with OpenGL api. But impossible to play, too slow!
I'm just surprised there's still 16:9 oleds in production. The last time we've seen one is in 2017, with the last 5.5" being in 2016.
what is the total power draw when running in 8 watt mode?
I had this preordered very early bird for the pro model but I just can’t bring myself to buy it. With the shipping and upgrades it will cost a bomb. It’s still not quite there yet with the battery and screen size. I think I’ll wait a little longer. That oled screen is sick though
Thanks for great insights. How do you compare this to Steam Deck? Feeling steam deck is a bit better performing, on emulation and pc / steam games with proton
So what’s view?
The Steam Deck has better performance and battery life than the Air, at the expense of a larger overall size.
@@RetroGameCorps which could be an upside or a downside given screen space matters for many games.
@@warlordwossman5722 yes, definitely!
Hello Russ, I don't have a handheld console and I want to buy one. I have only $200, which handled do You recommend me to buy?
Have you ever tried FxSound on the Aya Neo models ? I have had a Pro and Now have a Next. FxSound made the speakers sound a significant amount better. I'm usually a skeptic but it is really remarkable on everything I've ever tried it on with bad speakers including a laptop.
I haven't heard of it, I'll check it out, thanks!
@@RetroGameCorps awesome I'd love to hear your feedback. Thank you for your videos on these devices.
got a drink and a snack. SOOTHE ME WITH THAT VOICE
I wonder what the best TDP is to play modded Skyrim SE and MH Rise on this device?
I have a Problem If i Press L3 or R3 the Stick Sensibility goes Up. 🤔
the newest amd/radeon driver that is supposed to improve opengl performance installed?
Yep, that was with the latest driver.
Really need someone reviewing the Pro model
what do you think about the ayaneo 2?
Wich emulation application does he use in the tumbnail?