Ayaneo just opened pre-orders for the Next 2, a Windows 11 handheld so big and so expensive that it stops competing with Steam Deck-style devices and flirts with gaming laptops instead. If your dream handheld has “bigger screen, bigger battery, fewer compromises,” Ayaneo thinks you’ll accept the masses.
You will feel the trade as soon as you put your hands on it. The Next 2 is 13.45 inches wide by 10.3 inches tall and weighs 3.14 pounds, more than double the original 2022 Ayaneo Next.
The configurations jump quickly
The gap between “starting” and “sparing no expense” is enormous. The top configuration also matches the same Ryzen AI Max+ 395 chip used in the GPD Win 5, so the Premium tier is clearly aimed at buyers who want high-end Windows performance without building a full laptop setup.
The color options are plain, polar black or aurora white. Delivery is expected to take place in June 2026.
A screen that is flexible
On the front there’s a 9.06-inch OLED screen with a resolution of 2,400 x 1,504 and an adjustable refresh rate from 60 Hz to 165 Hz. Ayaneo claims a peak brightness of 1,155 nits, which is in a different league than the Switch 2’s roughly 450 nit LCD panel. That’s the kind of equipment that’s helpful in brighter rooms is. This also makes the entire device harder to downsize.
Around the display, Ayaneo features TMR joysticks with adjustable torque and ring lighting, Hall effect triggers that can switch to a shorter stroke for FPS games, two smart touchpads and four buttons on the back. At the top you’ll find two USB-C ports, a microSD card slot and a proper headphone jack.
The battery that changes business
There’s a 116Wh rechargeable battery inside, supported by two fans for cooling. Ayaneo hasn’t released battery life estimates yet, so it’s still unclear how long AAA games will run when you increase power and refresh rate.
There’s also a real catch: 116Wh is above the usual 100Wh limit for carry-on devices, so airline approval may be required if you want to fly with it. If you buy the Next 2, treat it like a high-end, stable Windows handheld and wait for battery life details before committing to a configuration.
Ayaneo Next 2 pricing starts at $1,999 for a Ryzen AI Max 385 model with integrated Radeon 8050S graphics, 32GB of memory, and 1TB of SSD storage. A limited early bird offer drops the starting price to $1,799. The maximum build costs $4,299, or $3,499 with the same discount, rising to a Ryzen AI Max+ 395 with a Radeon 8060S iGPU, 128GB of memory, and 2TB of storage.
