AYN has opened pre-orders for its first clamshell handheld, the AYN Thor, with pricing that undercuts many competitors in the growing dual-screen gaming market. The lineup starts at just $249.
The Thor will be available in two distinct models. The Thor Lite uses Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 865 processor—the same chip powering devices like the Retroid Pocket 5 and Pocket Flip 2—paired with 8GB of RAM and 128GB of storage. It features dual AMOLED displays: a 6-inch 1080p, 120Hz main screen and a 3.92-inch secondary screen. At $249, the Lite comes in lower than expected, offering a full clamshell design at nearly the same price as single-screen competitors.
For those wanting more power, the standard Thor is built around the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2, a chip already seen in AYN’s Odin 2 lineup. Buyers can choose between 8GB/128GB for $299, 12GB/256GB for $349, or a top-tier 16GB/1TB model priced at $429. All variants include Android 13, a 6,000mAh battery, Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 5.3, and come in color options such as Black, White, Rainbow, and Clear Purple.
In terms of value, the Thor significantly undercuts rival dual-screen handhelds. For comparison, the AYANEO Pocket DS campaign opened last week with early pricing starting at $399 for the base model and climbing as high as $639 for special editions. AYN’s aggressive pricing makes the Thor one of the most affordable dual-screen Android handhelds currently announced.
The introduction of a $249 clamshell handheld capable of running modern Android games and emulators may shift competition in the midrange segment, particularly against devices like Retroid’s Pocket Flip 2 and Anbernic’s upcoming models. AYN is betting that gamers will be drawn to a combination of portability, dual displays, and lower cost—even if performance doesn’t match higher-priced Windows handhelds.
Pre-orders are expected to move quickly given the buzz around its pricing, though AYN has not disclosed how much initial stock will be available.
