The NEXT console has just been unveiled by Aya Neo.
The 3rd generation of Aya Neo handheld console finally received a new architecture. The console relies on 8-core and 16-thread Ryzen 7 5800U “Cezanne-U” APU based on AMD Zen3 architecture. It is, therefore, not based on Rembrandt with Zen3+ and as a result, features (now bit ancient) AMD Vega graphics architecture.
The company announced as many as four different models, featuring from 16GB up to 32GB LPDDR4x-4266 RAM and either 1TB to 2TB of storage:
AYA Neo Next with 16GB RAM and 1TB storage for $1315 retail / $1265 at launch
AYA Neo Next Advance with 16GB RAM and 2TB storage for $1465 retail / $1365 launch
AYA Neo Next Advance Signature Edition with 16GB/2TB for $1465 / $1345 (only 300 units)
AYA Neo Pro with 32GB RAM and 2TB storage for $1565 / $1465
Price-wise, we are looking at a device that is more than twice as expensive as Steam Deck. Even though Valve’s console has newer GPU architecture, faster memory, and a lot larger ecosystem.
Despite the company’s close collaboration with AMD, it did not succeed in securing a stock of just announced Ryzen 6000U APUs. However, the Aya Neo promises that as soon as they become available, they will begin the development of a successor.
The Aya Neo Next will enter crowdfunding sites in February, which means that it will ship after Steam Deck. Below is the full launch video which has an English narrator.
