Android Arcade
With Android Arcade, Android Central Senior Editor Android Myrick takes a weekly deep dive into retro gaming, emulation, handhelds, and the whole lot in between.
Earlier than the times of foldable telephones we simply had slabs of aluminum, glass, or plastic. On uncommon event we might see an organization attempt doing one thing completely different, like Important did by releasing the PH-1 with Titanium and Ceramic. However even fewer corporations tried to assume exterior the field.
Nevertheless, you need to return even additional to search out something that actually stands out, and that is after we discover Sony. The Xperia Play was clearly designed as a gaming handheld that would make cellphone calls. Turning the cellphone sideways and pushing the display screen up revealed a built-in controller, not all that completely different from the PSP Go.
Quick ahead to now, and evidently AYANEO is about on bringing again that iconic design with its first cellphone.
AYANEO Slide
The announcement got here on the finish of an nearly 4-hour livestream, the place AYANEO CEO Arthur Zhang laid out the firm’s roadmap for the upcoming yr. This included introducing a slew of latest handhelds, such because the AYANEO Pocket DS, and a few “worth” gaming handhelds coming by way of the KONKR model.
However Zhang had “One Extra Factor” to share, and that is the corporate’s want to launch a cellphone. Not like virtually the whole lot that was introduced, we did not really get to see what this cellphone would appear like. Nevertheless, when trying on the promotional supplies, it does not take lengthy to see that is what AYANEO hopes to launch.
Why now?
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Many have contemplated why no different firm has tried releasing an identical cellphone to the Xperia Play through the years. Merely put, it was as a result of they could not, as Sony owned the patent for this design. The patent was filed again in 2011 for a time period of “14 Years” and is described as “the decorative design for a keypad for a cell phone…”
Effectively, 14 years have handed, and Sony’s patent has formally expired as of June 21, 2025. And would not you imagine it, the day of the patent’s expiration, the Anbernic RG Slide was launched.
Because the identify implies, it is a gaming handheld with a sliding mechanism that retains a built-in controller tucked away. As somebody who by no means used an Xperia Play a lot, however adored my T-Cell G2, I used to be shortly reminded of why I liked the G2 a lot. And earlier than you run to the feedback, no, I by no means owned a T-Cell Sidekick.
However, with Sony’s patent having expired, it might imply we start seeing an inflow of comparable units, whether or not it’s telephones or gaming handhelds.
Potential pitfalls
AYANEO has a steep hill to climb if it needs to launch a contemporary sliding cellphone. Even in a vacuum, it is no small feat for a corporation to launch its first cellphone, even when stated firm already has expertise releasing gaming handheld consoles.
Firms have come and gone, just because it is virtually not possible to interrupt the Apple and Samsung chains of the world. To not point out the regulatory hurdles AYANEO must overcome, a minimum of if it plans to launch a cellphone right here within the U.S.
AYANEO has some steep hurdles to climb if it plans to launch its first smartphone, even when does provide a reincarnated design.
The present financial state of affairs is not doing AYANEO any favors both, because the Obligation-Free De Minimis Exemption is about to be suspended as of August 29. In consequence, what would have already doubtless been an costly gadget will now be much more costly.
For instance, Nintendo introduced worth will increase for the unique Change household of gaming handhelds. That is on prime of worth will increase which have already been going down, as corporations now need to account for the added prices of transport to the U.S.
A glimmer of sunshine
Not like different “start-ups” that will wish to try to money in on the sliding cellphone, AYANEO already has a large head begin. It already has the manufacturing course of in place for such an endeavor, contemplating that it has been releasing gaming handhelds for simply over 5 years.
Past that, AYANEO additionally already has an settlement in place with Qualcomm. The unique AYANEO Pocket S was the primary handheld to utilize the Snapdragon G3x Gen 2. And that simply so occurs to be the identical chip AYANEO can be counting on with its upcoming Pocket DS.
Earlier this yr, AYANEO the Pocket S2 and Pocket S2 Professional have been introduced at the side of Qualcomm’s introduction of the Snapdragon G3 Gen 3. So both that is the chip that the potential AYANEO Slide can be powered by, or the 2 corporations are already working collectively on one thing else.
What I am hoping for
For me, the dream situation could be for AYANEO to launch its sliding cellphone whereas making use of regardless of the newest flagship Qualcomm chip is. Presently, that will be the Snapdragon 8 Elite, however the Snapdragon Summit is scheduled to happen on September 23.
That is the place we’ll doubtless study Qualcomm’s next-gen flagship chip, the Snapdragon 8 Elite 2. It could function a mighty tremendous alternative for AYANEO to get some extra publicity and model recognition earlier than launching a cellphone. Nevertheless, I am on the fence about whether or not AYANEO will really be concerned in any of the bulletins.
One other potential situation is that AYANEO might as a substitute lean on the present Snapdragon 8 Elite. Doing so would doubtless imply cheaper processors, which might (hopefully) end in a less-expensive cellphone. However, if AYANEO’s current “Technique Sharing Session” is something to go by, there is no telling what the corporate is actually as much as.
Have you ever at all times questioned what a contemporary Android-powered Nintendo 3DS XL would appear like? Look no additional than the AYANEO Pocket DS with its two large shows, and all the facility you may need.
