Since the Christmas Eve, Ayaneo has been steadily providing more insights about its forthcoming Ayaneo 3 handheld— with the most significant revelation to date being the incorporation of interchangeable control modules on the Ayaneo 3, which permits unmatched degrees of customization in handheld gaming. Outside the realm of handheld devices, the Victrix Pro BFG controller exhibits a comparable design ethos, but witnessing this innovation in handhelds (notably with the insertion of robust hall-effect sensors in the analog sticks and triggers) is a delightful surprise.
Besides posts on Twitter and Discord displaying the latest Ayaneo 3 handheld, the brand has also unveiled a video providing various views of the unit and the control modules that will be utilized. The previous conversation about Ayaneo 3 back in November hinted that the device would be available in both Ryzen AI 9 HX 370 and Ryzen 7 8840U variants. Regrettably, we still lack specific pricing details or additional technical specifications apart from the APU being used and the LCD and OLED display options. However, this information is anticipated to be clarified sometime in January, as an official launch event is projected for “Late January 2025”.
In addition to the control modules being interchangeable, they can also be flipped at choice, and single buttons can even be completely exchanged. This highly-modular framework should render the Ayaneo 3 suitable for nearly any genre of game compatible with a controller. Enthusiasts of six-button fighting games like Street Fighter or fans of vintage Sega console titles will likely appreciate the six face-button module, for instance. Modules incorporating a touchpad will be more advantageous for desktop-oriented gaming experiences, especially with the assistance of Steam Input.
Without cost or additional specifics, it remains uncertain if the Ayaneo 3 will represent a worthwhile purchase. Nonetheless, the initial offerings appear to be quite versatile, and even somewhat budget-friendly for users who decide on both a Ryzen 7 8840U and 7-inch LCD instead of OLED— although whether that choice will genuinely be worthwhile will be impossible to determine until we see the pricing. It does seem poised to be competitive with other premium handhelds anticipated next year, especially given its distinct emphasis on precise, modular input controls above all.