Ayaneo has unveiled its debut smartphone, the Pocket Play, following a teaser released in November. The device revives elements of the classic Xperia Play through a sliding feature that converts it from a thick phone into a dedicated gaming console.
When in gaming mode, the Pocket Play includes a control layout with a directional pad, ABXY action keys, and four trigger buttons on the shoulders. The company has updated this layout by adding a pair of touch surfaces, similar to those planned for its upcoming flagship handheld, the Next II. These touch surfaces can be assigned functions like analog sticks or other user-defined controls. While full specifications remain undisclosed, the phone shows indications of ports for potential storage expansion.
This marks Ayaneo's initial entry into the smartphone market, emphasizing portable gaming capabilities. It will face rivalry from specialized gaming phones such as the Redmagic 10 Pro and Asus ROG Phone lineup, along with recent iPhone and Samsung Galaxy models capable of running intensive mobile titles. The Pocket Play is set to debut on Kickstarter in the near future, with no information yet on its cost.