AYANEO has raised the bar for handheld gaming with the announcement of its next-generation flagship, the AYANEO NEXT 2. Revealed by AYANEO founder Arthur Zhang during a presentation outlining the company’s 2025–2026 roadmap, the NEXT 2 is poised to redefine performance standards in the handheld gaming market. Powered by AMD’s cutting-edge Ryzen AI MAX+ 395 “Strix Halo” APU, this device promises to deliver unparalleled power, innovative thermal management, and a high-capacity built-in battery, setting it apart from competitors.
Source : AYANEO (Next 2)
The AYANEO NEXT 2 is the first confirmed handheld to feature AMD’s top-tier Ryzen AI MAX+ 395 APU, a 16-core processor paired with the Radeon 8060S iGPU. This APU boasts 40 RDNA3.5 Compute Units, a significant leap over the 16 RDNA3.5 Compute Units found in current AYANEO handhelds. This more than doubles the graphical horsepower, positioning the NEXT 2 as a powerhouse capable of handling demanding modern titles with ease. The Strix Halo platform, already tested in AYANEO’s Mini-PC designs, brings desktop-class performance to the handheld form factor, making the NEXT 2 a trailblazer in the x86 gaming space.
According to Arthur Zhang, the NEXT 2 represents the “peak x86 platform” for handheld gaming, leveraging years of research and development across AYANEO’s diverse product lineup. This experience has enabled the company to tackle the structural and thermal challenges inherent in packing such a high-performance APU into a compact device.
Source : AYANEO (Next 2)
One of the standout features of the AYANEO NEXT 2 is its dual-fan cooling system, a design choice aimed at addressing the thermal demands of the Strix Halo APU. While dual fans may impact battery life, they significantly enhance thermal headroom, ensuring consistent performance during extended gaming sessions. This innovation reflects AYANEO’s commitment to pushing the boundaries of handheld design, balancing power and practicality.
The NEXT 2 also introduces a high-capacity built-in battery, a feature that sets it apart from many competitors in the handheld gaming market. While exact battery specifications remain undisclosed, this addition signals AYANEO’s focus on improving endurance, a critical factor for portable gaming devices. Combined with the large (approximately 8-inch) display, the NEXT 2 is designed to offer an immersive gaming experience without compromising on portability or playtime.
Source : AYANEO (Next 2)
AYANEO’s expertise in handheld and Mini-PC design has informed the development of the NEXT 2. The company has drawn on lessons learned from previous generations to create a device that not only showcases raw power but also addresses practical concerns like ergonomics and heat dissipation. Arthur Zhang emphasized that the NEXT 2 incorporates “breakthroughs in battery life and thermal design,” positioning it as a flagship that redefines what’s possible in handheld gaming.
Source : AYANEO (Next 2)
The AYANEO NEXT 2 enters a competitive field, with the GPD Win 5 being the only other confirmed handheld to utilize the Strix Halo platform. Scheduled for release in October, the Win 5 may hit the market before the NEXT 2, given the gradual rollout of Halo-based devices in the Mini-PC segment. However, AYANEO’s focus on innovative design and its established reputation in the handheld gaming space could give the NEXT 2 a significant edge.
Source : AYANEO on YOUTUBE