The boundary between handheld gaming PCs and desktop replacements has been shattered with the latest announcement from AYANEO. The company’s upcoming AYANEO NEXT 2 Windows handheld, powered by AMD’s most powerful mobile APU, will carry a starting price of $1,799 and scale up to a staggering $4,299 for its top configuration. This premium device, slated to begin overseas shipping in June 2026, is not just expensive—it’s also a substantial piece of hardware, weighing over 1.4 kilograms (3.1 pounds) and containing a battery so large it may require special airline approval.
This announcement cements the “Strix Halo” generation of handhelds as a new ultra-premium category, prioritizing raw power over portability and affordability.
Unpacking the Sky-High Price and Configurations
The pricing directly correlates with AMD’s top-tier “Strix Halo” APUs and exceptional memory configurations:
- Entry: $1,799 (Ryzen AI Max 385, 32GB RAM, 1TB SSD)
- Mid-tier: $2,299 – $2,699 (Ryzen AI Max+ 395, 64GB RAM, 1TB SSD)
- Flagship: $3,499 – $4,299 (Ryzen AI Max+ 395, 128GB RAM, 2TB SSD)
The early-bird discounts, ranging from $200 to $800, highlight the intended retail cost. AYANEO directly cited recent DRAM cost increases as a key factor in the high pricing, reflecting the same component shortages affecting GPUs and desktop memory.
Specifications Justifying the “Handheld Desktop” Moniker
The AYANEO NEXT 2 is built like no handheld before it. At its core is the 16-core AMD Ryzen AI Max+ 395 APU with the full Radeon 8060S graphics (40 RDNA 3.5 CUs). It supports up to a massive 128GB of LPDDR5X-8533 memory and dual M.2 SSD slots.
The device features a large 9-inch 165Hz OLED display, a 116Wh battery (far exceeding the typical 50-70Wh in most handhelds), and an advanced dual-fan, dual-vapor-chamber cooling system. This incredible specs sheet explains both the high cost and the substantial weight.
Handheld console Price – AMAZON
A Practical Consequence: Traveling with a 116Wh Battery
A unique practical note emerged during AYANEO’s presentation: the 116Wh battery exceeds the common 100Wh limit for airline carry-on luggage without special permission. The founder mentioned that travelers may need to submit an approval form to airlines before flying with the device, turning a gaming handheld into a piece of equipment that requires logistical planning.
Also, Read
- GTA 6 Could Be Playable on Handheld PCs at Launch, New Update Suggests
- AMD Readies New “Strix Halo” APUs to Power Next-Gen Gaming Handhelds and Compact PCs
- GPD Win 5 Handheld Revealed – AMD Strix Halo Power Meets Controversial Design
The State of the High-End Handheld Market
The AYANEO NEXT 2’s pricing illustrates a broader trend. The first wave of devices using AMD’s powerful Strix Halo APUs is firmly targeting a niche, no-compromise audience. With competing models from OneXPlayer and GPD also priced well above $1,500, the era of accessing this level of integrated graphics performance in a handheld form factor comes with a desktop-level price tag, influenced heavily by the ongoing global memory and component crisis.
Source: AYANEO