AYANEO has officially listed the NEXT 2 gaming handheld, revealing a flagship configuration that pushes portable PC gaming into a much higher price range. The company’s most powerful model comes with a $5,299 price tag, making it one of the most expensive handheld gaming PCs announced so far.
The AYANEO NEXT 2 is designed around AMD’s Ryzen AI Max+ 395 APU, part of the Strix Halo family, which combines powerful CPU performance with Radeon 8060S integrated graphics. Unlike traditional handheld gaming devices that rely on lower-power processors, the NEXT 2 targets users looking for performance closer to a compact gaming PC.
The highest-end version includes 128GB of LPDDR5X-8533 memory and a 2TB SSD, offering specifications that are more commonly found in premium laptops and desktop workstations. The large memory capacity could benefit users who plan to use the handheld for gaming, content creation, AI workloads, and other demanding applications.
For gaming and media consumption, the device features an 8.4-inch display with a 120Hz refresh rate. The high-refresh panel is aimed at delivering smoother visuals in supported games, while Windows 11 provides access to PC gaming platforms, including major game launchers and software applications.
AYANEO originally delayed NEXT 2 pre-orders earlier this year after the rising costs of memory and storage components affected the company’s plans. With RAM and SSD prices becoming a challenge across the hardware market, the company waited before moving forward with the product listing.
The pricing of the flagship model has already attracted attention because the $5,299 cost is higher than many enthusiast gaming desktops. Some RTX 5090-based desktop configurations can also be built around a similar budget, making the NEXT 2 a niche product for users who specifically want extreme performance in a handheld design.
AYANEO has continued to expand the premium handheld PC market with devices featuring powerful processors, high-resolution displays, and advanced designs. However, the NEXT 2’s pricing places it far away from popular handheld gaming systems that focus on affordability.
The combination of AMD’s Ryzen AI Max+ 395 APU, Radeon 8060S graphics, large memory capacity, and Windows 11 makes the NEXT 2 an interesting option for enthusiasts who want a portable high-performance machine. For most gamers, however, more affordable handheld PCs may remain the preferred choice.
Key Highlights:
- AYANEO NEXT 2 flagship model listed at $5,299
- Powered by AMD Ryzen AI Max+ 395 (Strix Halo) APU
- Includes Radeon 8060S integrated graphics
- Features up to 128GB LPDDR5X-8533 RAM
- Comes with a 2TB SSD storage option
- Equipped with an 8.4-inch 120Hz display
- Runs Windows 11 for PC gaming and productivity
AYANEO’s latest release shows the direction of the handheld PC segment, where manufacturers are exploring higher-performance hardware and premium configurations. Whether users are willing to pay desktop-level prices for portable gaming power will determine the success of devices like the NEXT 2.
