Ayaneo has introduced the Pocket S Mini, a compact gaming handheld designed around a 4:3 aspect ratio that closely matches the display format used by classic home consoles. In a market crowded with widescreen devices that often require visual compromises when emulating older games, the Pocket S Mini takes a more deliberate approach by prioritizing native presentation for titles originally built for CRT televisions.
The 4.2-inch LCD panel runs at a resolution of 1,280 x 960, which scales cleanly for classic PlayStation, Nintendo, and arcade-era games without forcing vertical black bars or uneven stretching. For players revisiting older libraries, this focus on proportion can make a noticeable difference, especially for games that relied on fixed framing or pixel-perfect artwork.
While 4:3 displays are not new to retro handhelds, Ayaneo is positioning the Pocket S Mini as a higher-end alternative. Devices such as the Anbernic RG405M and even Ayaneo’s own Pocket Air Mini already cater to this niche, but the Pocket S Mini leans more heavily into premium materials. It features a full metal chassis paired with a glass front panel, giving it a sturdier, more polished feel than many plastic-bodied competitors.
The hardware choices reflect that same positioning. The device uses Hall effect joysticks and triggers, which are designed to reduce wear over time compared to traditional analog components. The joysticks also include RGB lighting, while the face buttons feature a textured finish that Ayaneo describes as “crystal-like.” Internally, the Pocket S Mini is powered by Qualcomm’s Snapdragon G3x Gen 2 processor, a chip aimed specifically at Android-based gaming handhelds. A 6,000mAh battery supplies power, which should be sufficient for extended emulation sessions, though real-world endurance will depend on software configuration and workload.
Unlike many previous Ayaneo releases, the Pocket S Mini is not launching through crowdfunding. Instead, it is already available directly through the company’s website. Early pricing starts at $319 for models with 8GB of RAM and 128GB of storage, offered in Obsidian Black and Ice Soul White. The Retro Power color option is reserved for the top-tier configuration with 16GB of memory and 512GB of storage, priced at $479 during the early bird window. Ayaneo has indicated that standard retail pricing will eventually rise, ranging from $399 to $559 depending on configuration, though no firm end date for the introductory pricing has been shared.
The Pocket S Mini does not attempt to compete on sheer performance with larger handheld PCs. Instead, its appeal lies in design choices tailored to a specific use case: playing classic console games in their original format, on a device that feels intentionally built rather than adapted. For enthusiasts focused on retro emulation and presentation accuracy, that narrower focus may be exactly what makes the Pocket S Mini stand out.
