The top-tier configuration of the Ayaneo Next 2 handheld console is priced at $5,300 (approximately 424,000 rubles). Yes, you heard that right. For that amount, you could build two powerful PCs or buy several PS5 Pros. The device is set to launch globally in late July 2026, and that is perhaps the only aspect that raises no questions.
Table of Contents
Why is it so expensive?
The secret lies in the hardware. The flagship version exceeds all expectations: an AMD Ryzen AI Max+ 395 processor (16 cores, Zen 5, Strix Halo), 128 GB of LPDDR5x-8533 RAM, a 2 TB SSD, a 9-inch OLED screen with a resolution of 2400×1504 pixels, drift-free TMR joysticks, and a 116 Wh battery. It features integrated Radeon 8060S graphics with 40 compute units based on the RDNA 3.5 architecture—performance that reportedly approaches the level of a mobile RTX 4060. For a handheld device, that is a massive amount of power.
The issue is that Ayaneo itself has admitted the high prices are a result of the crisis in the RAM market. Back in March 2026, the company suspended pre-orders because production costs had exceeded the retail price. Sales have now resumed, but the price tag has been adjusted accordingly. For comparison:
-
Ayaneo Next 2 (base): Ryzen AI Max 385, 32 GB RAM, 1 TB SSD — $2,999
-
Ayaneo Next 2 (mid-range): Ryzen AI Max+ 395, 64 GB RAM, 1 TB SSD — $3,699
-
Ayaneo Next 2 (top-tier): Ryzen AI Max+ 395, 128 GB RAM, 2 TB SSD — $5,299
-
ROG Ally X — around $1,000
-
MSI Claw 8 AI+ — around $1,800
Who needs a console like this?
Obviously, not the mainstream gamer. It is a device aiming for luxury status—geared toward collectors, enthusiasts, and tech bloggers. Comparing it to the Steam Deck or ROG Ally is pointless; it isn’t a competitor to them at all, but rather stands in a league of its own within the world of portable devices. It is more of a tribute to those willing to pay for compactness and absolute power without making compromises.
The Ayaneo Next 2 launches in late July. The top-tier version costs $5,300. This isn’t just a portable console—it’s a technological artifact vying for the title of the most powerful handheld in history. However, it is unlikely to succeed in the mass market. It is a highly niche product for a vast market.
