AYANEO Reveals NEXT 2: Its First Gaming Handheld Powered by AMD Strix Halo Ryzen AI Max+ 395 With Dual-Fan Cooling and Large Display

AYANEO is pushing boundaries once again in the handheld gaming space, this time with the unveiling of the AYANEO NEXT 2, its first gaming console powered by AMD’s flagship Strix Halo chip the Ryzen AI Max+ 395. The device was showcased in a recent livestream by company founder Arthur Zhang, revealing not only its bold hardware ambitions but also a glimpse at the internal PCB and cooling system that will power the NEXT 2’s performance.

Building on its recent work with the AI395 Mini PC, AYANEO has taken the bold route of skipping AMD’s more compact Strix Point lineup entirely. Instead, it is aiming directly at peak x86 mobile performance with the Strix Halo SoC. This chip is currently AMD’s fastest APU in the mobile segment, boasting 16 Zen 5 cores and integrated RDNA 3.5 graphics through the Radeon 8060S GPU with 40 compute units. That puts the chip’s power on par with some gaming laptops, though it comes at a premium few handheld makers are willing to take on. Most are choosing the custom Ryzen Z2 series for a better balance of thermals, cost, and power draw.

However, AYANEO and GPD are leading the charge for premium handheld PC performance. The AYANEO NEXT 2 in particular takes a no-compromise approach to its architecture. The livestream presentation revealed a massive prototype PCB for the handheld, complete with dual-fan cooling an unusual design decision for handhelds, which typically rely on single-fan solutions. The size and complexity of the PCB rivals that of mini-ITX desktops and includes support for LPDDR5X RAM, M.2 SSDs, and a variety of modern connectivity options.

Arthur Zhang also emphasized that the company had encountered significant challenges related to thermal management and power draw in early development stages. However, thanks to lessons learned during the development of the AI395 Mini PC, AYANEO has been able to overcome these technical barriers. The dual-fan setup and expanded heatsink architecture are core to their solution, enabling them to sustain higher clock speeds and more consistent GPU performance.

As for the design, the AYANEO NEXT 2 will reportedly feature one of the largest displays ever seen in a handheld gaming PC. While an official size has not been confirmed, early renders suggest a display near the 10-inch mark a full tablet-class screen for immersive gaming on the go. The renders also show a bold, angular design that echoes the visual language of high-end gaming laptops. However, the company has cautioned that the design is still in development, and the final product may vary slightly.

A preview video of the NEXT 2 was also released, offering a closer look at the prototype and highlighting the company’s performance-first philosophy.

The AYANEO NEXT 2 is expected to launch before the end of 2025. With its aggressive hardware, large display, and dual-fan cooling, it may be one of the most powerful and unique handheld gaming PCs to hit the market and a serious contender for enthusiasts who demand top-tier performance in a portable format.

Are you excited for AYANEO NEXT 2, or is the form factor too much for a handheld? Let us know your thoughts below.