AYANEO plans to launch a $4,299 'Next 2' Windows handheld — Yes, that's the real price, and no, it definitely isn't a joke

AYANEO is quickly making a name for itself in the handheld gaming space — not to be confused with AYN. The latter makes the recently released AYN Thor that I have been seeing everywhere lately, and, honestly, I am extremely jealous of.

Yes, AYANEO also makes handhelds, but it primarily focuses on Windows-based devices. So far, it has built its reputation on pushing the limits of what a Windows handheld can be.

And it is certainly doing that again with the AYANEO Next 2, which has just gone up for pre-order on Indiegogo for as high as $4,299 (or $3,499 if you secure the early bird price).

AYANEO's Next 2 will launch in multiple configurations, with entry-level pricing starting at $1,799 if you pre-order. That model features the Ryzen AI Max 385 CPU, 32GB of RAM, and 1TB of storage, rising to $1,999 at full retail price.

Going over that eye watering price and other configurations

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These aren't weak specs. The Next 2 should comfortably handle most modern games, depending on settings and resolution. If that isn't enough, it also offers a higher-tier model at $2,299 with early-bird pricing.

That version includes the more powerful Ryzen AI Max+ 395, 64GB of RAM, and 1TB of storage, putting it a step above devices like the GPD Win 5, which uses the Ryzen AI Max 385. And it doesn't stop there. The top configuration uses the same Ryzen AI Max+ 395, but pairs it with 128GB of RAM and 2TB of storage.

That model costs $3,499 at the early-bird price or $4,299 at full retail.

Beyond raw performance, the hardware itself is equally ambitious. It features a 9.06-inch 2400x1504 OLED display with a 165Hz refresh rate and up to 1155 nits of peak brightness, alongside Hall Effect triggers for improved durability and precision, and even has touchpads, something I feel the Xbox Ally line of devices really needed.

Battery life will likely be the real test. It includes a large 116Wh battery, and unlike the GPD Win 5, which relies on an additional battery pack for extended use, the AYANEO Next 2 appears to integrate everything into a single unit.

The handheld weighs in at 1426g (via TweakTown), which is more than double the Xbox Ally X. That could make extended play sessions uncomfortable. As someone who owns the Xbox Ally X and already finds it a bit heavy over time, I am genuinely curious to see how the AYANEO Next 2 feels in hand during longer sessions.

It is also an extremely expensive machine. Part of that pricing likely reflects the ongoing RAM and storage supply issues affecting the wider industry, which are expected to continue into next year.

Would you spend up to $4,299 on a Windows handheld, or is this pushing the handheld space too far? Let us know your thoughts in the comments and make sure to take part in our poll below:

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