Ayaneo Pocket S Mini launches with a 4.3-inch screen that uses a 960×640 resolution and a true 3:2 aspect ratio. This exact ratio removes black bars when players run games from Game Boy Advance, Super Nintendo, Nintendo DS, PlayStation Portable, and many other classic systems. The company announced the Pocket S Mini this week as a smaller sibling to the 6-inch Pocket S. The new model shrinks the body while keeping the same Snapdragon G3x Gen 2 processor that already powers the larger version. Prices start at $399 for the 12 GB RAM + 128 GB storage model and reach $559 for the 16 GB RAM + 1 TB version. Shipping begins in early 2025.
Ayaneo Pocket S Mini solves a problem that has bothered retro gamers for years. Most modern handhelds use 16:9 or 16:10 screens. Those ratios force emulators to add thick black bars on the top and bottom or stretch the image when they run old games. The 3:2 screen on the Pocket S Mini eliminates both issues for many beloved systems. Game Boy Advance games run at 240×160 native resolution. Multiply those numbers by four and the result is exactly 960×640. The Pocket S Mini displays every GBA game pixel-perfect with no scaling artifacts and no wasted screen space. Super Nintendo and NES games, which use 4:3 ratios, also fill the display almost completely with only tiny pillar-box bars on the sides that most players barely notice.
Nintendo DS on the other hand, presents a special challenge on most devices because the two screens sit one above the other. The Pocket S Mini handles this layout naturally. Emulators can place the two DS screens side-by-side or stacked perfectly within the 3:2 area so touch controls stay comfortable and the image stays sharp. PlayStation Portable games run at 480×272. When scaled up exactly 2× the result is 960×544, which leaves only a thin strip of unused pixels at the top and bottom. That small gap is far less distracting than the large letterbox bars players see on 16:9 devices.
Ayaneo Pocket S Mini comes in a clean white color at launch. Indigo and pink versions arrive later. The body measures smaller than the original Pocket S and fits easily in a pocket. The company kept the same hall-effect analog sticks and responsive face buttons that reviewers praised on the bigger model. The Snapdragon G3x Gen 2 chip inside the Pocket S Mini runs Android 13. This combination delivers strong performance for emulation. It handles PlayStation 2, GameCube, Wii, and even some Nintendo Switch titles at reasonable speeds. Dreamcast, PSP, and every older system run at full speed without any frame drops.
Battery life reaches up to six hours for lighter 2D games and around three to four hours for more demanding 3D titles. The device supports 65 W fast charging through USB-C, so players can top up quickly between sessions. Ayaneo Pocket S Mini ships with Android 13 and includes full Google Play Store access. Users can install any emulator they prefer: RetroArch, DuckStation, Dolphin, Citra, Vita3K, or standalone apps like PPSSPP and DraStic. The company also provides its own AYASpace software that organizes games and offers quick access to performance profiles.
Cooling uses an active fan that stays quiet in most situations. The system rarely throttles even during long PlayStation 2 sessions. Heat stays on the back of the device and never makes the grips uncomfortable. The 4.3-inch screen reaches 400 nits brightness and works well outdoors on cloudy days or in shaded areas. Colors look accurate for retro games, and the IPS panel delivers good viewing angles. Bezels are small enough that the device still feels compact.
Ayaneo Pocket S Mini enters a market that already includes many retro handhelds. Devices from Retroid, Anbernic, and Powkiddy cost less but use 4:3 or 16:9 screens that add black bars to most classic games. The Steam Deck and ROG Ally offer more power yet force the same letterboxing issues on their 16:10 and 16:9 displays. Only a handful of devices have ever shipped with true 3:2 screens. The original FunKey S and some obscure Chinese handhelds used the ratio, but none combined it with modern performance and build quality the way the Pocket S Mini does.
Ayaneo Pocket S Mini costs more than budget options from Anbernic or Powkiddy, yet the price sits well below premium devices like the Ayn Odin 2 or Retroid Pocket 4 Pro. At $399 the Pocket S Mini delivers flagship-level hardware in a package specifically built for classic gaming. Early hands-on reports from Chinese reviewers confirm the screen looks excellent in person. Text in RPGs stays crisp, sprites in platformers remain perfectly sharp, and colors in Pokémon games pop exactly as they did on original hardware.
The smaller size makes the Pocket S Mini the first high-performance retro handheld that truly fits in a jeans pocket. Players can carry it anywhere and pull it out for quick sessions on a bus, during a break at work, or while waiting in line. Ayaneo Pocket S Mini also works as a general Android device. Users can stream games from Xbox Cloud Gaming, PlayStation Remote Play, or GeForce Now. The 3:2 ratio even benefits some mobile games that still use 4:3 assets.
The company promises at least two years of software updates. This commitment matters for Android handhelds because new emulator versions often need the latest operating system features. Pre-orders open soon through the official Ayaneo store and Indiegogo. Early buyers receive a free protective case and screen protector. The white version ships first in January 2025, followed by indigo and pink in February.
Ayaneo Pocket S Mini stands out because it focuses on one specific goal: delivering the best possible experience for classic console games. Every design decision supports that goal. The 3:2 screen removes the biggest visual annoyance in retro emulation. The powerful chip runs everything smoothly. The compact size makes it easy to carry anywhere. Players who grew up with Game Boy Advance, Super Nintendo, PlayStation 1, or Nintendo DS finally have a modern device that shows those games the way they were meant to be seen. No more black bars. No more stretched pixels. Just pure, clean retro gaming in the palm of your hand.
