Ayaneo has unveiled the latest version of the Ayaneo Next II, marking the device’s second major redesign since its original debut more than three years ago. The handheld, now built around AMD’s Strix Halo architecture, is being pitched as part of a new wave of top-tier Windows gaming portables. It joins upcoming heavy hitters like the GPD Win 5 and the OneXPlayer OneXFly Apex.
The Next II started life with plans for Ryzen 6000 and Intel Alder Lake chips. Ayaneo then reshaped the project in early 2023 with Ryzen 7000 APUs and even a dedicated GPU option. That model never launched. The handheld resurfaced earlier this year with Strix Halo hardware but kept an older design. Now Ayaneo has overhauled the device again, closer to the 2023 direction and packed with new ergonomics.
The new Next II moves the d-pad, adds circular trackpads, and introduces tertiary shoulder buttons. The back of the device now includes adjustable trigger switches and configurable rear buttons, echoing the layout of Lenovo’s Legion Go S.
Ayaneo has shown the device in two colorways so far. The company says the final unit will feature TMR joysticks, Hall effect triggers, and an eight-way floating d-pad. It also references a “customised top-tier screen,” though no display specs have been confirmed. Previous statements suggest an eight-inch or larger panel, putting the Next II into the same size class as Ayaneo’s Kun, which uses an 8.4-inch display.
The handheld aims to be a full-size flagship with premium controls, a large screen, and enough internal power to compete with other Strix Halo handhelds expected later this year. Ayaneo has not provided a release window or pricing. If competing devices are any indication, the Next II will likely arrive in Ryzen AI Max 385 and Ryzen AI Max+ 395 configurations, with memory options that range from 32 GB up to 128 GB.
Ayaneo continues to describe the Next II as coming soon. When it launches, the device could become one of the most ambitious Windows gaming handhelds yet.