AYANEO， a company with a notable presence in the handheld gaming console market， has officially announced its latest product， the “NEXT 2.” This new device marks a significant step forward by being the first to adopt AMD’s high-end Strix Halo platform， specifically the top-tier Ryzen AI Max+ 395 processor. AYANEO describes this as the pinnacle of x86 platform technology， positioning the NEXT 2 as a truly next-generation flagship handheld.
This is the second known handheld to utilize the Strix Halo platform， with the GPD Win 5 being the first. The adoption of this advanced AMD platform suggests a focus on delivering unparalleled performance and gaming capabilities within the handheld form factor.
While detailed specifications for the AYANEO NEXT 2 are yet to be fully disclosed， official design schematics (not the final version) and some internal component shots have been released. The company emphasizes that this new model addresses key areas of improvement over its previous products， focusing on structure， battery life， and thermal management. A notable feature highlighted is the inclusion of a dual-fan cooling system. Although this design choice might potentially impact battery longevity， it is expected to significantly enhance cooling efficiency， enabling the Ryzen AI Max+ 395 to operate at its full performance potential.
Based on the available information and common trends in high-end handhelds， the AYANEO NEXT 2 is anticipated to feature a screen size of approximately 8 inches. To support its powerful components， it is expected to house a large-capacity battery and benefit from dual M.2 2280 PCIe 4.0 SSD slots， offering ample storage and fast data access for games and applications.
The AYANEO NEXT 2 is slated for release within the current year， with the exact launch date to be announced. This release aims to set a new benchmark in the premium handheld gaming segment， competing directly with other upcoming devices featuring similar advanced mobile computing platforms.
For comparison， the GPD Win 5， another Strix Halo-based handheld， is expected to launch in October. It will feature a 7-inch 120Hz display， a 45-75W battery (with an optional external 80Wh battery pack)， a 180W charger， and a single-fan cooling system. The GPD Win 5 is estimated to weigh around 550 grams. The AYANEO NEXT 2’s dual-fan system and likely larger battery capacity suggest a potential trade-off in weight for enhanced performance and sustained gaming sessions， a strategic decision often made by manufacturers aiming for the highest performance tiers.
