Ayaneo reveals the Pocket Play, an Android slider phone inspired by the Xperia Play

[midian182]

What just happened? Ayaneo, the Chinese company best known for its retro gaming handhelds, has unveiled the design of its first Android phone. You'll probably notice that it looks a lot like the old Sony Ericsson Xperia Play smartphone from 2011, which is by no means a bad thing.

Ayaneo first teased the Ayaneo Pocket Play back in August, but has only now unveiled its design.

Not only does it share the Xperia's name, but the Pocket Play also uses the same sliding-display design that hides the controls under the screen.

Those controls consist of a D-pad on the left, ABXY buttons on the right, and two circular touch pads reminiscent of the original Steam controller in the middle. It also comes with two pairs of shoulder buttons on the back of the phone, further imitating a traditional controller.

There's also the Ayaneo signature button on the front. On other devices, this opens the AYASpace overlay where users can adjust TDP / power limits, change performance modes, and more. The two other buttons are believed to be for an app menu and possibly a picture-in-picture mode.

The Ayaneo Pocket Play also has the usual power button and volume rockers. There's a USB-C port on the bottom, alongside what is probably a pair of stereo speakers and SIM card tray.

Elsewhere, there are two camera lenses on the rear of the phone, though we don't know any specs. They do appear to be flush against the back of the handset, which is nice to see in an era of increasingly protruding camera bumps.

Ayaneo CEO Arthur Zhang has suggested that the Pocket Play won't be sporting the most powerful mobile chipset on the market. He's probably talking about the Snapdragon 8 Elite, rather than the just-announced Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5.

The Kickstarter page for the Pocket Play doesn't reveal anything other than it is launching "soon." There isn't even a price – though we do know it comes in either black or silver.

Sony's sliding-screen patent expired in June 2025, opening the door for devices like the Ayaneo Pocket Play and Anbernic's RG Slide – a bulky $189 handheld built solely for gaming.

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Ayaneo reveals the Pocket Play, an Android slider phone inspired by the Xperia Play

 

[Dreadcthulhu]

That seems really nifty, I like it when manufacturers try out different form factors. Would probably be great for emulators on the go.

 

[Axeia]

Sony's sliding-screen patent expired in June 2025, opening the door for devices like the Ayaneo Pocket Play and Anbernic's RG Slide

Wait what. How the frig did they patent that.
There was tons of phones with a keyboard sliding out like that.
They managed to patent the exact same thing but with game controls instead?

They really should stop giving out patents to things that aren't innovations.


Now make one with a keyboard and you have my interest. I miss my Nokia n900, I did get a Blackberry Priv at some point but a portrait mode keyboard isn't it for me.

 

[sreams]

Wait what. How the frig did they patent that.
There was tons of phones with a keyboard sliding out like that.
They managed to patent the exact same thing but with game controls instead?

They really should stop giving out patents to things that aren't innovations.


Now make one with a keyboard and you have my interest. I miss my Nokia n900, I did get a Blackberry Priv at some point but a portrait mode keyboard isn't it for me.

Agreed. I had an HTC Fuze with a slide-out keyboard back in 2009.

 

[madboyv1]

Hearing about a device with a screen and slide out feature reminds me of both my HTC Touch Pro (same thing as the HTC Fuze but with CDMA), as well as my GLORIOUS Samsung YP-K5 MP3 player. I mean there were plenty before and after, but those two have a place in my heart.

 

[dangh]

This looks great. I still have my ps vita (absolutely great stuff), this actually would allow me to leave it at home more often.
I wish we could see another hh from Sony, but until then, that would be great.