The portable gaming market has been rapidly growing in recent years, with several manufacturers introducing new handheld devices capable of running high-end games. AYA NEO, a Chinese manufacturer, is one of the key players in this market, having launched several gaming handhelds with powerful APUs based on Zen 3+ and RDNA 2 architecture. In this article, we will discuss AYA NEO's latest addition to its lineup, the AYA NEO 2S, which is rumoured to be launched later this year and will feature the powerful AMD Ryzen 7 7840U APU.
AYA NEO 2S: Key Specifications
The AMD Ryzen 7 7840U is a powerful APU with eight cores and 16 threads, featuring a base clock speed of 2.6 GHz and a boost clock speed of 4.2 GHz. It has a TDP of 15 watts, making it an excellent choice for a portable gaming device, as it provides a good balance between performance and power consumption. AYA NEO has reportedly chosen this APU for the upcoming AYA NEO 2S, which is expected to offer exceptional performance in gaming and other demanding tasks.
According to reports, AYA NEO 2S will also feature a revised heatsink with three heatpipes to keep the APU cool during extended gaming sessions. This is a critical improvement, as heat management is one of the key challenges in portable gaming devices. Additionally, AYA NEO 2S is expected to offer improved speakers and potentially a larger battery, although the latter may not be necessary if the Ryzen 7 7840U offers improved efficiency compared to previous APUs.
Design and Display
The AYA NEO 2S is expected to feature the same design as its predecessor, the AYA NEO 2, which has a compact and ergonomic form factor. It has a 7-inch IPS display with a resolution of 1280 x 800 pixels, which provides a good balance between screen size and portability. The device also features a built-in gamepad, which includes joysticks, D-pad, and other buttons, making it easier to play games without the need for additional accessories.
In terms of connectivity, the AYA NEO 2S is expected to offer Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5.0, and USB Type-C ports for charging and data transfer. It is also expected to feature an HDMI port, which will allow users to connect the device to an external display and play games on a larger screen.
Competition
The portable gaming market is highly competitive, with several manufacturers offering devices with powerful APUs and other features. Some of the notable competitors for the AYA NEO 2S include the GPD Win Mini and the ASUS ROG Ally.
The GPD Win Mini is a handheld gaming device that also features the AMD Ryzen 7 7840U APU. It has a 5.5-inch display with a resolution of 1280 x 720 pixels, making it more compact than the AYA NEO 2S. However, the GPD Win Mini has a smaller battery capacity and may not offer the same level of heat management as the AYA NEO 2S.
The ASUS ROG Ally is another upcoming gaming handheld that will feature a custom version of the Ryzen 7 7840U under the Ryzen Z1 series. It is expected to offer a 6.5-inch display with a resolution of 1440 x 720 pixels and a built-in gamepad. However, it may be more expensive than the AYA NEO 2S, as ASUS is known for offering premium devices.
The AMD Ryzen 7 7840U is a quad-core, eight-thread processor based on the Zen 3+ architecture, with a base clock speed of 2.6 GHz and a boost clock speed of 4.2 GHz. It also features integrated Radeon RX Vega 8 graphics, which should provide excellent performance for portable gaming. The Ryzen 7 7840U has a TDP of 15 watts, which is relatively low compared to desktop processors, but higher than other APUs used in portable devices. However, with the improvements made to the cooling system, the AYA NEO 2S should be able to handle the Ryzen 7 7840U's higher TDP without issue.
One of the standout features of the AYA NEO 2S is its revised heatsink with three heatpipes. This should help dissipate the heat generated by the Ryzen 7 7840U, allowing it to maintain high performance without overheating. The improved cooling system is essential for a portable device like the AYA NEO 2S, which can be used for extended periods without access to a power outlet. The cooling system will also be important for users who want to push the device to its limits, running demanding games or applications for extended periods.
Another area where the AYA NEO 2S has improved over its predecessor is in the speaker system. According to reports, the device will ship with improved speakers that should provide a better audio experience for users. The AYA NEO 2S will likely use a similar speaker configuration to the AYA NEO 2, which features stereo speakers that are located on either side of the device. The AYA NEO 2S will also likely support Bluetooth and a 3.5mm audio jack, allowing users to connect external audio devices if they prefer.
Battery life is always a concern with portable devices, and the AYA NEO 2S is no exception. While we don't yet know the exact size of the battery that will be used in the device, it's likely that it will be larger than the 47Wh battery used in the AYA NEO 2. The Ryzen 7 7840U is a relatively power-hungry APU, but it also includes features like AMD's SmartShift technology, which can help improve battery life by dynamically allocating power between the CPU and GPU. The AYA NEO 2S should also support fast charging, allowing users to quickly charge the device when needed.
Finally, we come to the display and gamepad buttons. According to reports, the AYA NEO 2S will feature the same 7-inch display as the AYA NEO 2. While some users may have been hoping for a larger display, the 7-inch size strikes a good balance between portability and usability. The gamepad buttons on the AYA NEO 2S are also expected to be the same as those on the AYA NEO 2, which have been praised for their high-quality construction and responsive feel.
In conclusion, the AYA NEO 2S is an exciting addition to the portable gaming market. With its powerful AMD Ryzen 7 7840U APU, revised heatsink, improved speakers, and potentially larger battery, the AYA NEO 2S looks set to take on the likes of the GPD Win Mini and ASUS ROG Ally. While we don't yet know the exact release date or price of the device, it's sure to be a popular choice among gamers who want a powerful, portable device for gaming on the go.
