Best Buy has become a go-to retailer for companies in the handheld gaming market. They already offer systems like the ASUS Ally, MSI Claw, and Lenovo Legion Go. Now, they’ve added a new option from the Chinese brand AYANEO. Previously, AYANEO devices were only available through crowdfunding, direct sales from the company, or third-party retailers outside the U.S.
AYANEO has announced that the KUN and Next Lite models are now available for immediate purchase on BestBuy. This gives customers the advantage of more reliable shipping and warranty services, as well as the option to buy these devices in-store.
AYANEO has released two handhelds, one of which is the KUN, their flagship model. However, this version features the older Ryzen 7 7840U processor, which has since been updated to the 8840U. The KUN is priced on the higher side, and gamers might find the ROG Ally X more appealing at a similar price point, as it offers more memory, storage, and a better battery.
The KUN’s 75Wh battery is a notable feature, but it’s overshadowed by ASUS’s larger 80Wh battery. Despite this, the KUN still offers a larger 8.4-inch screen and supports a 54W TDP mode. However, the benefits of running the Phoenix chip at such a high power level are minimal.
The Next Lite is more budget-friendly at $399, but it comes with the older Ryzen 7 4800U processor and RX Vega 8 graphics, which makes it less appealing, especially when compared to the Steam Deck, which features RDNA2 graphics.
While it’s encouraging to see AYANEO expanding into a new market, their pricing could use some reconsideration.
Buy Ayaneo Next Lite
Buy Ayaneo KUN
