AYANEO Reopens NEXT 2 Pre-Orders With an Eye-Watering $3,699 Price Tag

AYANEO has reopened pre-orders for its premium NEXT 2 gaming handheld, with the only currently available configuration priced at $3,699, the company announced. For a device meant to slip into a backpack, it carries a price tag usually associated with a dependable used hatchback.

According to AYANEO, the active pre-order tier features a dual-OS system running Windows and Android, packed with 64GB of RAM and a 1TB SSD. While other configurations are planned, the ultimate price ceiling for the handheld tops out at an astonishing $5,299. It is a steep entry fee for mobile play, but the device has carved out a dedicated niche among high-end enthusiasts who want to remain on the cutting edge of vintage game emulation. Even as hardware conversations elsewhere focus on future console manufacturing costs, AYANEO is operating in an entirely different financial atmosphere.

The details

• OS: Windows and Android
• Available config: 64GB RAM / 1TB storage
• Price: $3,699 (maximum configuration tops out at $5,299)

Why it matters

The handheld PC market has grown rapidly by offering accessible, on-the-go alternatives to home consoles, but the NEXT 2 tests the absolute ceiling of consumer demand. By targeting high-end emulation and power users willing to pay desktop-grade prices for a portable form factor, AYANEO is treating the handheld not as a budget companion, but as a primary luxury device.