When it comes to handheld manufacturers, we’re all used to dumping them out on a regular basis. Whether that’s Anbernic’s monthly release schedule, or Powkiddy’s “every few months we dump a couple out”. However, companies like Retroid or AYN feature a more “yearly release cycle” which has been a lot easier to track. Or at least that was the case.
In the past year and a half, AYN has released 3 versions of its Odin 2 line with different sizes and features across the board. This time I’m taking a look at the Odin 2 Portal, the big boy of the bunch. And in this first impressions article, we’ll talk about what I like, and what I don’t.
AYN Odin 2 Portal Specs
As it’s the third of the Odin 2 line now, a lot of specs and listings are familiar. But to get the full point across, let’s go over what specs you’re getting for the $329 starting price.
- Screen: 7” OLED, 120hz Refresh Rate
- CPU: Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2
- GPU: Adreno 740
- RAM: Base (8GB), Pro (12GB), Max (16GB)
- Storage: Base (128GB), Pro (512GB), Max (1TB) w/ microSD Card Slot
- Battery: 8000mAh with up to 27-watt Charging
- Connectivity: Wi-Fi 7 + Bluetooth 5.3
- Triggers: Analog L2/R2
- Joysticks: 3D Hall Sticks
- Colors: Black, White, Indigo
- Price: Base ($329), Pro ($399), Max ($499)
What I Like
There are gonna be a few obvious likes when it comes to the Odin 2 Portal after just a day of use. The first of which is going to be that screen. Over the last year, we’ve seen a number of devices come out with AMOLED/OLED displays, and this one is probably going to be my favorite. Not just because it’s big and has a high refresh rate. Well yeah, that’s a lot of it. But also because it gets nice and bright. This is a screen I could use for a lot of things, and it feels right compared to other 7” devices I’ve used in the past like the G Cloud or Abxylute One.
Alongside that, I do really like the controls on the front of the device. The buttons have a nice tension to them, and despite being a bit loud, I actually like the sound they make. The D-pad follows AYN’s light clicky D-pad, and as always these sticks are tiny but super responsive.
The third big thing I enjoy is the same thing I enjoyed on the Odin 2 and Odin 2 Mini. The support and power of the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2. It does just about anything you could ask for on Android. And even more, now that we’re getting new Winlator frontends and applications that could bring your DRM-free games to Android. While I need more time with it, I think I’m really gonna like using the Portal for its power in x86 emulation specifically.
What I Don’t
With just my initial impressions to go off of, there are still a few things I’m not the biggest fan of, and it all comes down to the outside of the device.
The material choice. While the glass front may look nice, to me that just brings into concern that another thing can go wrong and break. Pair that with the smudge factor of the Odin 2 Portal’s back, and I feel like I’m gonna have a smudge magnet in my hands. This is absolutely personal preference, but it’s also the smudgiest of my Odins.
Back controls. By that, I particularly mean the triggers and back buttons. The back buttons feel pretty awful to me, and while I know I’m not someone who uses them much, I’m especially avoiding these. It’s still my break-in phase, but right now the triggers just feel a bit awkward to use. While not a deal breaker as that can vary from person to person, it may end up not being the move for me.
And following the trend of personal preference, I’m not sure how to feel about the ergonomics. It’s fine, but that’s about it. The OG Odin 2 felt way better in the hand than this. And man do I miss the Loki ergonomics when holding this, but it is what it is.
Final Thoughts
In the end, if you’re looking for a streaming handheld, or just the general do-it-all device that isn’t x86, this will probably be it. It’s big, beautiful, and powerful. The emerging market of Android games makes this a better sell than the original Odin was a few years back.
And personally, while still quite smudgy, this will probably turn out to be a better deal than something like the AYANEO Pocket Evo. Which with similar specs can get expensive quickly.
Keep an eye out because I plan to do a full shootout with the Portal, Mini, and OG Odin 2 to see which one is really for me, as well as what might be better for you in the end. But if you’re going big, this is the one.
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Amazing review!