3 Minutes
Look at it and you think of the Xperia Play — a pocket-sized promise of games on the go. Compact. Tactile. A little nostalgic. Ayaneo's Pocket Play keeps that retro vibe but with modern internals, and the choice of chipset is the plot twist.
The company confirmed the brain behind the phone: MediaTek's Dimensity 9300. That was MediaTek's flagship back in 2023. So yes, it's powerful. But also: it's not new. That raises eyebrows. Why pick a two-year-old top-tier chip when newer silicon exists?
There are sensible reasons that don't show up on spec sheets. Proven chips come with stable drivers and well-understood thermals — a big deal for a handheld where heat and battery life make or break gameplay sessions. Manufacturers tuning firmware and controller mappings would prefer a settled platform over one still finding its feet. And let’s be blunt: cost matters. MediaTek platforms are often priced friendlier than Qualcomm alternatives, which can help keep a niche device's sticker closer to reality.
Still, the question “why not the Dimensity 9500?” is fair. If Ayaneo wanted incremental gains, a newer SoC could extend the device’s headline performance. But raw numbers aren’t everything. For a device focused on controls, ergonomics and software polish, a robust, well-supported SoC can be the smarter pick.
The Pocket Play itself leans hard into physical controls. The slide-out deck houses a full D-pad and ABXY buttons, plus two touchpads that can act like miniature joysticks. Shoulder buttons — L1, L2, R1, R2 — are present. On the rest of the chassis you get dual rear cameras, stereo speakers and a USB-C port. Ayaneo has previewed black and white finishes, but a firm launch date? Still TBD.
For enthusiasts, the real test will be in hands-on benchmarking and sustained gaming sessions: how the 9300 handles thermals, whether frame pacing stays steady and how battery life holds up when those touchpads are working overtime. Ayaneo is selling a controlled experience as much as a spec sheet — and sometimes, a proven chip is the most reliable way to deliver that.
Keep an eye out for previews and performance numbers. The Pocket Play might not chase the newest silicon, but it could win where it counts: the feel of a portable that actually plays like one.
Source: gsmarena
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