Ayaneo has officially unveiled its first smartphone, the Pocket Play, a device designed to merge mobile convenience with console-level gaming. The company describes it as a phone infused with the soul of a handheld console, and it shows.
The Pocket Play features a classic side-slide structure that reveals a full-function physical controller hidden beneath the display. The internal layout includes a D-pad, ABXY buttons, shoulder triggers, and dual analog sticks. Ayaneo has also added dual smart touchpads, which users can configure as either virtual joysticks or standard touchpads. Players can customize control schemes based on their individual preferences.
Ayaneo is positioning this device as more than just a smartphone. The sliding mechanism transforms it into a horizontal handheld console, offering an ergonomic grip and controller layout that rivals dedicated gaming handhelds. The sliding action uses a smooth mechanical design aimed at delivering a satisfying tactile experience.
The concept draws clear inspiration from the Sony Ericsson Xperia Play, which launched in 2011 with a similar sliding controller layout. However, the Pocket Play perfects the sliding mechanism and puts a stronger focus on the overall design. It also follows Ayaneo’s signature minimalist aesthetic.
Ayaneo has not disclosed any specifications for the Pocket Play yet. Details about the processor, display, battery, and software remain unknown, and the company has only said the device will launch soon. Even the Kickstarter campaign page lists no technical specs at this stage.
The launch of the Pocket Play marks the return of a sliding smartphone form factor, which has largely disappeared from the market in the past decade. Recent retro-style handhelds like the Anbernic RG Slide have explored the concept in the handheld gaming space, but Ayaneo is the first to integrate this format into a smartphone with modern design and full mobile functionality.
In related news, Ayaneo has recently launched the Pocket DMG Silver Limited Edition with the Snapdragon G3x Gen 2 chip, and the company has also unveiled the Pocket Vert with a 3.5-inch LTPS LCD, a dual-mode hidden touchpad, and a 6000mAh battery.
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(Ayaneo)
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