The Ayaneo Pocket DMG pre-orders have launched in China after the device was initially announced back in May of this year.

As reported here on Retro Handhelds, the Pocket DMG was one of three new handhelds announced during its REMAKE session earlier this year. The others are the Pocket Micro, a modern take on the Game Boy Micro, and an updated version of the Pocket 1S with an 8840U SoC.

Ayaneo Pocket DMG shown off in hand (via: Ayaneo Discord)

The Pocket DMG joins the ranks of the Analogue Pocket in being a modernization of a classic design while also heavily leaning into its premium aesthetic. Where the Pocket DMG and Analogue Pocket differ is in how they play games. Analogue does hardware emulation through the use of an FPGA, allowing players to use cartridges of their past to enjoy games spanning multiple generations. The Pocket DMG, like most retro handhelds, uses software emulation.

Ayaneo Pocket DMG: What We Know

Ayaneo Pocket DMG

Full details about the Pocket DMG are scarce, but from what we know the following specs are expected:

  • Display: 3.92-inch OLED display
  • Resolution: 1240 x 1080
  • Processor: 8-core Qualcomm Snapdragon G3x Gen 2
  • Graphics: Adreno A32
  • Extras: “Coastline” rear triggers

The specs listed above show that Ayaneo is keeping up with its tradition of making incredibly niche, high-quality, modernized retro consoles. Like the Air, Pocket 1, and Air Plus before it, the Pocket DMG situates itself as yet another high-quality, high-priced item in its lineup. The specs above also place it easily above the specs of similar devices, but the only similar device to compare it to would either be an Analogue Pocket or a cheaper device that doesn’t aim to be as premium as the DMG is poised to be. The Analogue Pocket differs in its usage of an FPGA and not emulation, but it has yet to be seen how the two stack up against each other.

According to ITHome, the expected price of the Pocket DMG is anywhere between 2000 – 3000 CNY (roughly $275 to $415) but no official word has been given by Ayaneo.

When preorders go live in America, players will be able to place an order via the company’s Indiegogo campaign but an official date has not yet been given.

Chinese players can preorder directly from Ayaneo’s website with a down payment of 1599 CNY (about $220).

Are you going to order a Pocket DMG? Waiting for the Pocket Micro? Let us know in the comments below, and chat with us in our Discord!

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