AYANEO Unveils First Strix Halo Gaming Handheld NEXT 2; Prototype PCB with Dual-Fan Cooling System Revealed

AYANEO is set to revolutionize the portable gaming market with its soon-to-be-released handheld device, the AYANEO NEXT 2. This innovative gadget is the culmination of extensive research and development centered around the AI395 Mini PC, featuring a powerful Strix Halo flagship processor equipped with an advanced cooling system.

AYANEO NEXT 2: A Game-Changer with Strix Halo Technology

Although relatively new to the technology landscape, AYANEO has quickly gained recognition for its line of handheld gaming devices, such as the AYANEO Pocket, Flip DS, and the AYANEO NEXT, which is powered by AMD’s Ryzen 7 5825U processor. The company has notably decided to bypass the Strix Point architecture in favor of a more expansive System on Chip (SoC) design. In a recent livestream, founder Arthur Zhang unveiled the prototype of the anticipated AYANEO NEXT 2, highlighting its substantial design and capabilities.

AYANEO NEXT II handheld: AMD AI Max+ 395, large-screen, high-capacity battery, next-gen design.

The upcoming model, named AYANEO NEXT 2, will boast the cutting-edge AMD Strix Halo chip, specifically the Ryzen AI Max+ 395. This processor is distinguished as the fastest Accelerated Processing Unit (APU) in the mobile sector, featuring a robust configuration of 16 Zen 5 cores and an RDNA 3.5 architecture-based Radeon 8060S GPU, equipped with 40 Compute Units. However, the high cost of Strix Halo chips has deterred many manufacturers from incorporating them into their handheld designs, leading most to favor the custom Ryzen Z2 series.

AYANEO NEXT 2 with AMD Ryzen AI Max+ 395 offering X86 platform performance leap.

Among the first to embrace these high-performance processors are GPD and AYANEO, with the NEXT 2 standing out due to its remarkable design and specifications, overshadowing competitors like the GPD Win 5. Rather than relying on a standard single-fan cooling system, the NEXT 2 will utilize an innovative dual-fan cooling mechanism mounted on a comparatively sizable printed circuit board (PCB).This design choice aimed at maximizing performance emphasizes AYANEO’s commitment to delivering an unparalleled gaming experience.

Close-up of a hand holding a laptop's dual cooling fans and heatsink.

Close-up of a person holding a computer motherboard showing electronic components.

Close-up of a person holding a circuit board with various electronic components.

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During the livestream, Arthur presented the early prototype of the NEXT 2’s PCB, revealing components such as the Ryzen AI Max+ 395 SoC, LPDDR5X RAM modules, M.2 slots for NVMe SSDs, and various connectivity options atop the device. Initial stages of the project faced significant hurdles related to thermal management and performance, but through dedicated R&D based on the AI395 mini PC, these challenges have been addressed. The NEXT 2 is poised to become one of the largest portable gaming platforms, expected to sport a screen size of approximately 10 inches, though confirmation on this detail is awaited.

Handheld gaming device displaying Squid Game image on screen, sleek and modern design. — NEXT 2 will feature a large display for enhanced gaming immersion.

The renders displayed showcase a tantalizing glimpse of what the AYANEO NEXT 2 may look like, but it’s essential to note that these are not the finalized designs. Consumers can expect to see refinements ahead of its anticipated launch later this year.