AYN has been ever-so-slowly unveiling extra particulars about its upcoming Odin 2 handheld console for the previous a number of weeks. Now, the corporate shared specs for its upcoming Steam Deck competitor, together with storage, processor, and, most significantly, its aggressive value: $299.
On Monday, AYN revealed the Odin 2 will probably be one other Android-based handheld console working on a Qualcomm chip. This time, as a substitute of the older Snapdragon 845, the sequel gadget will probably be packing the highly effective and more and more ubiquitous Snapdragon 8 Gen 2. This is identical processor powering a number of of Samsung’s newest premium telephones, and it has managed to maintain tempo with rivals like Google’s proprietary Tensor chip.
The unique Odin went for about $240 for the bottom mannequin, whereas the Odin Professional began at round $290. In the meantime, the Odin 2 will begin at $299 for the minimal model containing 8 GB of RAM and 128 GB of inner storage. Two different variations will include 12 GB/256 GB and 16 GB/512 GB respectively, although the corporate didn’t reveal pricing on its beefier fashions. There are a number of colours to select from, together with some enticing clear plastic blue and purple variations a la early Sport Boy fashions. The corporate is gearing up for an upcoming Indiegogo crowdfunding marketing campaign, although we don’t have a begin date, both.
China-based AYN first launched the Odin again final 12 months as a sort of ultra-light Steam Deck and Nintendo Swap competitor. As an alternative of enjoying video games from Home windows or the Linux-based SteamOS, the platform ran on open supply Android and was designed for cell video games and retro emulation. It measured barely smaller than the Swap however included a 6-inch, 1080p touchscreen show. We haven’t acquired precise dimensions of the Odin 2’s show, however by the images we will guess it’s going to be similar to the earlier iteration.
Being the Android-only odd man out amongst handheld consoles does have its advantages. Past accessing cell video games, you possibly can obtain recreation streaming apps like Geforce Now to entry your Steam library or get Xbox Sport Go (and possibly ultimately PlayStation) and play all of them on the Odin, although that will require a continuing web connection. When you evaluate the Odin 2 to different streaming-only handhelds, it’s barely cheaper than the bigger, streaming solely Logitech G Cloud, at the least at launch. Different corporations like Razer didn’t beat the Steam Deck’s least expensive value level for streaming-only, however there’s additionally the cloud-gaming targeted Abxylute with its 7-inch LCD display and simply above $200 price ticket.
All handheld console pricing orbits round Valve’s Steam Deck on this second. The ultra-customizable platform is singularly constructed for the biggest recreation library service round, which makes it onerous to topple from its throne. The Asus ROG Ally is priced just a bit bit greater than a base 512 GB Steam Deck. We don’t know the place Lenovo’s supposed Legion Go handheld will land when it comes to pricing, but when it desires to run a local Home windows 11, that may possible put the worth someplace within the realm of a mid-range gaming console, on the very least.
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