AYANEO NEXT II handheld rivals Xbox Ally X — but airlines might not love its desktop‑class guts. Here’s why we see a red flag, despite loving everything else.

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I recently shared that AYANEO has unveiled its latest high-end handheld gaming device, the NEXT II. It boasts incredibly powerful specifications and features that are almost over the top.

The AMD Ryzen AI Max+ 395 processor and the large, stunning 9.06-inch OLED display are both great features, but I was most surprised by the incredibly long battery life – it packs a massive 115Whr battery!

While the AYANEO NEXT II boasts better technical specifications than the Xbox Ally X, its battery life could be a concern for gamers who travel frequently.

Xbox Ally X vs AYANEO NEXT II
AYANEO NEXT II Xbox Ally X
Price TBA $999.99
Release date TBA Oct 16, 2025
OS Windows 11 Windows 11 Home
Processor AMD Ryzen AI Max+ 395 (Zen 5 Strix Halo 16-cores, 32-threads CPU, RDNA 3.5 Radeon 8060S integrated GPU) AMD Ryzen AI Z2 Extreme (Zen 5 8-core, 16-thread CPU, RDNA 3.5 Radeon 890M integrated GPU)
Storage TBA 1TB M.2 2280 SSD
Memory TBA 24GB LPDDR5X-8000
Display 9.06-inch OLED ( 2,400 x 1,504) 16:10 7-inch FHD (1920 x 1080) 16:9 IPS touchscreen, 500 nits
Refresh rate 60Hz / 90Hz / 120Hz / 144Hz / 165Hz switchable 60Hz / 120Hz
VRR Yes Yes
Ports TBA 1x USB4 Type-C, 1x USB-C 3.2 Gen 2, 1x UHS-II microSD card reader, 1x audio jack
Touchpads Yes No
Connectivity TBA Wi-Fi 6E + Bluetooth 5.4
Dimensions TBA 11.45 x 4.78 x 1.99(290.8 x 121.5 x 50.7mm)
Weight TBA 1.57 lbs (715g)
Battery life 115Whr 80Whr

If you’re flying commercially in the US, UK, or Europe, devices with batteries exceeding 100 watt-hours require airline approval. Plus, in many places, you can’t pack batteries of 100Wh or more in checked luggage – they must be carried on.

From my understanding, anyone owning an AYANEO NEXT II will, technically, need to comply with an approval process if they plan to fly with it. Even if airlines or the TSA don’t specifically ask for it, the requirement exists.

I always take a portable gaming PC on flights to keep myself entertained, so the thought of having to worry about potential issues is frustrating. That’s why I think the Xbox Ally X is a better option.

Insane specs for better or worse

Besides the battery life, there are a few other noteworthy aspects of the NEXT II, both positive and negative.

AYANEO’s next Windows gaming device will use a powerful AMD Ryzen AI Max+ 395 processor, making it faster than many other handheld gaming consoles.

The Xbox Ally X uses a very powerful AMD Ryzen AI Z2 Extreme processor, which has been a leader in handheld gaming. However, the new AI Max+ 395 processor is even more powerful, boasting twice the number of cores and processing threads.

I’ve noticed a big difference in power usage between the Xbox Ally X and the NEXT II. The Ally X’s processor can use up to 35 watts, but the NEXT II can go all the way up to 85 watts. That means the AYANEO handheld, depending on how you set it up, could potentially drain the battery much faster.

The NEXT II has a more powerful processor than the Xbox Ally X. Its CPU boasts twice the number of cores and threads, giving it a significant performance advantage.

I’m really excited about the NEXT II, but I’m also a little curious about how it’ll *feel* in my hands. With a bigger screen and all those powerful specs, it’s probably going to be a pretty substantial device – likely both large and a bit heavy. I’m hoping it won’t be *too* bulky, but I’m willing to trade some weight for all that power!

The Legion Go 2 has a large 8.8-inch OLED screen for a handheld device, but the NEXT II’s 9.06-inch display is even bigger. Because of this, I anticipate the NEXT II will be quite large and likely heavy.

The Xbox Ally X is a bit heavy at 1.57 pounds (715g), but it makes up for it with a really comfortable grip. The Legion Go 2 is even heavier at 2.03 pounds (920g), but its controllers can be detached, which takes the strain off your hands. Unfortunately, the NEXT II doesn’t offer any similar relief.

Ultimately, the AYANEO NEXT II isn’t really meant for everyday users. It’s designed for serious PC handheld fans who are happy to spend extra money on a top-of-the-line device.

The official price isn’t available yet, but considering AYANEO’s other products, it will likely cost $2,000 or higher. This means it’s not a device for casual players – AYANEO specifically markets it towards dedicated gamers.

I probably wouldn’t risk traveling with something so pricey when there are more affordable handheld gaming options out there.

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2025-12-03 01:41