The portable PC gaming landscape has evolved rapidly since the Steam Deck’s debut. What once felt revolutionary now sets the standard, pushing manufacturers to refine their offerings. The Ayaneo 2S enters this competitive arena boasting impressive specs and a premium design, but does it deliver the refined experience players now expect? This review dives into the Ayaneo 2S’s strengths and weaknesses, examining its performance, design, and overall user experience to determine if it justifies its premium price tag.
A Premium Design with Comfort Compromises
Ayaneo, though a relatively new name to some, has been iterating on handheld PC designs for years. The 2S reflects this experience with a sleek, polished aesthetic. Crafted from smooth black or white plastic, it exudes a premium feel, a noticeable step up from the Steam Deck’s utilitarian design. Subtle RGB lighting under the joysticks adds a touch of flair. While more compact than the Steam Deck, its density (667 grams) makes it feel surprisingly heavy, almost brick-like.
An Ayaneo 2S runs BaldurThe Ayaneo 2S running Baldur’s Gate 3. Image: Giovanni Colantonio / MaagX
Despite its heft, the 2S offers decent comfort. The smooth plastic feels pleasant in the hand, and subtle curves on the back allow for a natural grip. The absence of textured grips, however, might raise concerns about accidental slips. The button quality is a highlight. While lacking trackpads, the standard controller layout is responsive and well-built. Dual joysticks feature an anti-drift design, and additional buttons beside the bumpers offer extra customization. Three USB4 Type-C ports, a microSD slot, dual six-axis gyroscopes, a fingerprint sensor, and a noise-canceling microphone further enhance its feature set. Ayaneo has clearly prioritized versatility and functionality.
A Stunning Display, Underwhelming Audio
The Ayaneo 2S’s display is a significant upgrade over the Steam Deck’s. The vibrant 7-inch, 1920 x 1200 resolution IPS screen delivers rich colors and deep blacks, making games like Baldur’s Gate 3 and The Banished Vault visually stunning. This alone could sway some users away from the Steam Deck.
An Ayaneo 2S sits on a pink table.The Ayaneo 2S. Image: Jacob Roach / MaagX
The 60Hz refresh rate, however, might disappoint those seeking higher refresh rates. The audio performance is less impressive. While the sound quality is acceptable, the maximum volume is surprisingly low, necessitating headphones in some situations. Issues with wired headphone connectivity further detract from the experience, though Bluetooth 5.2 support offers a wireless alternative.
Performance Powerhouse, Battery Bottleneck
The Ayaneo 2S’s main selling point is its raw power. The AMD Ryzen 7 7840U and Radeon 780M combination delivers impressive performance, handling demanding titles like Baldur’s Gate 3 and Marvel’s Spider-Man Remastered with ease.
A graph compares game performance on the Ayaneo 2S.Performance benchmarks. Image: Jacob Roach / MaagX
Benchmark tests reveal a significant performance advantage over the Steam Deck and a slight edge over the Asus ROG Ally. However, this power comes at a cost. The 2S generates considerable heat during gameplay, and its 50.25Wh battery drains quickly, offering around 90 minutes of playtime for demanding titles. Limited power optimization options further restrict battery life, making it more suitable for at-home, plugged-in use.
A graph compares Ayaneo 2S and Steam Deck performance.Ayaneo 2S vs Steam Deck Performance. Image: Jacob Roach / MaagX
A graph compares the Ayaneo 2S with the Asus ROG Ally.Ayaneo 2S vs Asus ROG Ally Performance. Image: Jacob Roach / MaagX
A Disappointing User Interface
The Ayaneo 2S’s biggest downfall lies in its software. Essentially a Windows OS device controlled with a touchscreen and gamepad, it lacks the intuitive interface of dedicated handheld operating systems like SteamOS. Navigating Windows on a small screen without trackpads is cumbersome.
The Ayaspace app appears on screen on a Ayaneo 2S.The Ayaspace App. Image: Jacob Roach / MaagX
The custom Ayaspace app is poorly optimized, with localization issues, buggy menus, and limited functionality. Its overall clunkiness detracts significantly from the user experience.
Conclusion
The Ayaneo 2S offers a compelling blend of power and premium design, but its shortcomings prevent it from being a true Steam Deck competitor. The short battery life, underwhelming audio, and clunky software, combined with its $1,300 price tag, make it a difficult recommendation. While its performance impresses, the overall experience lacks the polish and refinement found in more affordable alternatives. The Ayaneo 2S demonstrates the importance of software optimization in the handheld PC gaming market, a lesson Ayaneo needs to learn to truly compete.
