The AYA Neo Next is a handheld gaming computer with a 7 inch touchscreen display, built-in game controllers, and support for up to 32GB of LPDDR4x memory and up to 2TB of PCIe NVMe solid state storage. It’s powered by an AMD Ryzen 7 5825U processor and ships with Windows 11 software.
First announced in early January, the AYA Neo Next is now available for pre-order worldwide through an Indiegogo campaign, with units expected to begin shipping to backers in mid-April. With prices starting at $1263 during crowdfunding, the AYA Neo Next isn’t exactly cheap. But it may be one of the most powerful handheld gaming computers to date… at least by some standards.
It’s the first with support for up to 32GB of RAM, for example. It’s one of the few with support for up to 2TB of storage. And it’s the first with an AMD Ryzen 7 5825U processor, which should deliver stronger CPU performance than the custom AMD chip powering Valve’s Steam Deck handheld.
But the Steam Deck’s AMD RDNA 2 GPU should deliver stronger graphics performance than the previous-gen AMD Radeon Vega 8 integrated graphics in the AYA Neo Next, which makes AYA’s high price tag a little harder to swallow – the Steam Deck sells for as little as $399, after all, with even the highest-spec models priced at about half as much as an AYA device.
There’s also the high price of shipping to consider – AYA will ship the Neo Next straight from China, and the company says its own shipping costs are high, which explains why it costs as much as $70 to have one shipped to the US.
That said, early reviews of the AYA Neo Next from YouTubers suggest it’s got a great design and good performance. It’s smaller than a Steam Deck. And since it ship with Windows rather than Linux, it will support more games out of the box.
Here’s an overview of key specs for the AYA Neo Next and AYA Neo Next Pro which can be reserved through Indiegogo:
| AYA Neo Next | AYA Neo Next Pro | |
| Display | 7 inches 1280 x 800 pixels IPS LCD 5-point capacitive touch | 7 inches 1280 x 800 pixels IPS LCD 5-point capacitive touch |
| CPU | AMD Ryzen 7 5825U 2 GHz base / 4.5 GHz max | AMD Ryzen 7 5825U 2 GHz base / 4.5 GHz max |
| Graphics | AMD Radeon Vega 8 | AMD Radeon Vega 8 |
| RAM | 16GB LPDDR4x-4266 | 32GB LPDDR4x-4266 |
| Storage | 1TB or 2TTB PCIe NVMe M.2 2280 | 2TB PCIe NVMe M.2 2280 |
| Controls | Hall Effect Sensor Joysticks Linear triggers Gaming & Windows buttons | Hall Effect Sensor Joysticks Linear triggers Gaming & Windows buttons |
| Battery | 47 Wh | 47 Wh |
| Security | Fingerprint sensor | Fingerprint sensor |
| Ports | 2 x USB Type-C 1 x 3.5mm audio | 2 x USB Type-C 1 x 3.5mm audio |
| Colors | Pastel Blue Bright White Midnight Blue Jet Black | Space Silver Pastel Blue Bright White Midnight Blue Jet Black |
| Dimensions | 267 x 112 x 30mm 10.5″ x 4.4″ x 1.2″ | 267 x 112 x 30mm 10.5″ x 4.4″ x 1.2″ |
| Weight | 720 grams 1.59 pounds | 720 grams 1.59 pounds |
| Crowdfunding / retail price | 1TB for $1263 / $1335 2TB for $1315 / $1435 | $1465 / $1535 |
For a breakdown of how those specs compare to other handheld gaming including the Steam Deck, the original AYA Neo (with a Ryzen 4000U series processor), and several other models from One Netbook and GPD, make sure to check out our Handheld Gaming PC comparison.
Looking like the IGG is going to be a failure. Hardly any backers even during the usual first day rush.
I wonder why…
Too bad. From what I’ve been reading, Aya seems to be the top rival for the Deck as a company overall so far. At least they seem to be the most decent company out of the 3 smaller rivals.
One Netbook and GPD have been putting out turds in comparison and generally not providing much after-sales support for defective devices.
Worse on GPD where they had that horrible article attacking the Deck plus creating spam accounts on Reddit and other places to spam their products on social media instead of focusing on their device and customers.
Legal robbery? 🙂
Who the fuck pays $1200 for a Vega 8
Competitively priced with scalped steam decks.
Same resolution as the Steam Deck w/ Vega Graphics? Starts at around $1250? Where do I sign up! Wait? It runs on Windows? Is that Windows 11, where I’ll have to have a Microsoft account just to play games on my handheld?
The only thing I can’t decide on…is if I want two or three? At this price, you might as well stock up!
In all seriousness…If you signed up for Valve’s pre-order and you no longer want a Steam Deck, please just let the incoming offer from Valve expire. Your $5 will be refunded.
That way…those of us in line after you won’t have to wait as long.
Thanks,
Steven B.
I’m on the “Q2” list. I’m thinking worst case scenario it should arrive by July, but yes if anyone wants to cancel their reservation we all would greatly appreciate the change to get out Steam Deck a few months sooner.