Copyright Digital Trends
What’s happened? AYANEO, the company behind Windows handhelds like the Pocket series, has officially confirmed its entry into the smartphone arena with a device geared towards mobile gamers. The brand teased the phone in a video showing a standard-looking rectangle, dual rear cameras, and what appear to be shoulder buttons on the upper edges. That’s a feature nearly absent from most current flagship phones, though quite common among gaming-centric phones like the ROG Phone and RedMagic. AYANEO has built its reputation by making enthusiast-level handheld PCs, long before the likes of Steam Deck and ROG Ally. According to the video, the phone may have physical shoulder buttons when held horizontally. Additionally, Android Central suggests the device might adopt a sliding design reminiscent of the Sony Xperia Play, wherein built-in physical gaming controls are hidden beneath a sliding display. Why this is important: Smartphones have become the dominant gaming platform globally, yet most devices rely on touchscreen controls or detachable accessories. AYANEO’s push revives physical gaming controls built into the phone itself, potentially narrowing the gap between console-level inputs and mobile convenience. Shoulder buttons, D-pads, and analog triggers embedded in a phone mean fewer ecosystem compromises for serious gamers. The possible sliding form factor indicates AYANEO aims to merge smartphone aesthetics with handheld gaming ergonomics, which is a niche few have tried in recent years. If successful, this device could influence how other smartphone makers think about game-first design, spawning a new crop of hardware tailored for mobile esports and cloud gaming. Why should I care? If you’re even mildly curious about gaming on the go, this phone could shake up what “mobile gaming” means. Most gaming phones boost specs; AYANEO wants to rethink how a phone feels to play on, borrowing real console ergonomics. That means fewer awkward finger-gymnastics on-screen and more familiar controls when sniping, drifting, or grinding through an RPG. And because it’s still a smartphone at heart, you wouldn’t need to carry a separate handheld when you travel. A gaming-focused phone could blend console-style play with everyday mobile use. Shoulder triggers could make competitive shooters like CoD Mobile or PUBG much easier to control. If AYANEO nails cooling + ergonomics, other brands may be forced to innovate, too. Okay, so what’s next? At this stage, AYANEO still needs to share the fundamentals like specs, pricing, availability, and a release timeline, not to forget a proper look at the final design, before anyone can judge whether the phone is more than a cool prototype. Shoulder triggers and a quirky design are great conversation starters, but long-term success hinges on how well the phone performs as a phone. Add to that, the mobile-gaming space is already competitive.
