On January 24th, the world's first modular Windows handheld AYANEO 3 was officially launched. AYANEO 3 introduces a range of proprietary technologies, delivering comprehensive upgrades in controls, display, audio, performance, and software. It offers the ultimate experience of "one device, endless possibilities".

 

 

The AYANEO 3 first introduces the groundbreaking Magic Module swappable joystick design, supporting up to 56 customizable control layouts with detachable ABXY buttons. It features dual-stage Hall triggers, a proprietary magnetic suspension motor, and a hardware-level keyboard and mouse mode.

 

Continuing its elegant aesthetic and borderless full-screen design, AYANEO 3 delivers an enhanced ergonomic grip. It comes equipped with two flagship displays: a 7" 120Hz IPS TrueColor screen and a 144Hz OLED VibrantColor screen. Powered by AMD Ryzen™ AI 9 HX 370 or 8840U flagship CPUs, the device maintains 35W of stable performance with an advanced cooling system. Paired with the all-new AYASpace 3.0, it offers a highly customizable handheld software experience.

 

 

 

Enjoy the stunning visuals

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Pioneering the Revolutionary Magic Module Modular Controller Design

 

AYANEO 3 takes the freedom of control on Windows handhelds to a whole new level. Featuring the innovative Magic Module modular controller design for the first time ever, gamers can freely swap and combine modulars, creating highly customizable control configurations and layouts. This allows AYANEO 3 to adapt seamlessly to the unique demands of different games—all on a single handheld device.

 

 

Building on its unibody design, AYANEO 3 ingeniously reimagines the “runway-style grips” from its predecessors the AYANEO 2/2S. The handle sections have been redesigned as independent recessed slots, transforming the grip hardware into detachable modules. This marks the first-ever implementation of a removable controller module design in a Windows handheld.

 

 

 

To ensure a controller experience consistent with traditional handhelds, AYANEO 3 uses a four-lock structure to securely fasten the controller modules. Once snapped into place, the modules can only be unlocked via AYASpace, preventing accidental detachment whether the device is powered on or off.

 

 

 

At the heart of the module unlocking mechanism, AYANEO 3 incorporates a high-cost stepper motor. During unlocking, the motor releases the locking clips securing the module, allowing it to pop out automatically. The entire process is swift, seamless, and highly efficient, saving both time and effort.

 

 

 

Gamers can use AYASpace to eject a single module or simultaneously release both modules. Alternatively, holding down the keyboard/mouse mode switch button at the bottom of the device will trigger both modules to pop out once the green light appears.

 

 

The functionality and unlocking of the AYANEO 3 modular controllers rely on AYANEO’s proprietary end-to-end solution. Communication between the controller modules and the device is established via metal contact points.

 

 

 

AYASpace serves as both the "communication bridge" between hardware and software, as well as the central control hub for managing the modules. It automatically and quickly identifies installed modules, configures their functions, and handles unlocking, providing gamers with a plug-and-play, easy-to-use modular controller experience.

 

 

Magic Module Modular Controller Combinations

 

AYANEO 3 offers standard joystick modules (two tactile versions), touchpad module, 8-way joystick module, and six-button fighting module. Gamers can combine any two modules as they like to meet the operational needs of modern AAA games and retro games. Whether playing FPS, action, or fighting games, these modules enable precise customization for an immersive gaming experience tailored to each genre.

 

 

 

RGB Hall Joystick + D-Pad + ABXY Buttons Module (Conductive Rubber Version)

 

The standard configuration included with AYANEO 3, this module features soft, responsive conductive rubber buttons, ideal for most games. The package also includes an extra pair of 17mm threaded joystick caps. Players can purchase additional 17mm textured caps or 15mm threaded caps separately for further customization.

 

 

 

RGB Hall Joystick + D-pad + ABXY Key Module (Membrane Switch Version)

 

This module shares the same design as the standard version but features membrane switch structures for the D-pad and ABXY keys. The keys offer crisper feedback, making them ideal for fast-paced games. Gamers can choose their preferred button feel based on personal preferences.

 

 

 

 

8-Way D-pad + Fighting Key Module

 

 

The six-button module adopts the classic ABCXYZ layout with three large and three small buttons, combined with a highly precise 8-way D-pad. It is specifically designed for fighting game gamers, enabling accurate combo moves and skill execution, bringing back the thrilling arcade gaming experience.

 

 

In addition, the AYANEO 3 features a fully detachable controller module design, allowing for 180° reversible installation. This enables a variety of layout combinations. For example, when using a module with a joystick, gamers can freely switch between hardware-level Xbox and PS layouts, fully adapting to their personal control preferences.

 

 

 

Moreover, the combination of two modules and the 180° reversible installation further enhances the variety of layout options. With four types of modules, the AYANEO 3 supports up to 56 different layout combinations.

 

 

 

To address the issue of reversed button characters caused by the 180° reversible module installation, the AYANEO 3 introduces innovative hardware-level customizable keys. The ABXY buttons can be easily swapped using a key puller to match the module's installation orientation, with key values automatically adapting for seamless functionality.

 

 

 

Of course, gamers can also simply swap the positions of A and B or X and Y. By selecting either the Japanese layout or the American layout in AYASpace, the key values will perfectly align with the hardware configuration.

 

 

The AYANEO 3 comes standard with left and right joystick modules featuring a conductive rubber feel. The other six modules will be available as a set in the AYANEO store, along with a dedicated controller module storage box. This box allows for the organized storage of controller modules, joystick caps, and the key puller, making it more convenient to take everything on the go.

 

 

The module set includes 6 controller modules, 4 joystick caps with different textures or sizes, and 1 key puller. The pre-sale price is 99 dollars, and the retail price is 139 dollars, available for purchase on Indiegogo.

 

 

Launching the Master All-in-One Controller 2.0

 

While introducing an innovative modular controller design, the AYANEO 3 also delivers a comprehensive upgrade in overall control configuration, debuting the brand-new Master All-in-One Controller 2.0.

 

 

The AYANEO 3 is equipped with industry-leading 250Hz high polling rate RGB Hall joysticks and Hall triggers, offering an input latency of just 4ms, far surpassing similar products. This ensures gamers enjoy an ultra-smooth and precise control experience.

 

 

AYASpace also includes a highly customizable joystick RGB lighting editor, allowing gamers to choose from preset modes or create their own unique color schemes. This further enhances personalization and playability.

 

 

Of course, the Master All-in-One Controller 2.0 builds on AYANEO handhelds' powerful core control hardware while introducing several self-developed technologies, including full button customization, hardware keyboard and mouse mode, a magnetic levitation motor, and adaptive triggers, among other advanced features.

 

 

Customizable Function Buttons

 

Based on a self-developed end-to-end solution, the AYANEO 3 supports tri-mode customization (controller, keyboard, and mouse) for all function buttons, in addition to hardware-level button remapping.

 

 

 

The AYASpace keyboard and mouse mode on the AYANEO 3 allows LC/RC, rear buttons, “=”, and even commonly used function buttons like the Home button and Menu button to be mapped to a wide range of controller, keyboard, and mouse functions.

 

 

 

 

This makes the AYANEO 3 the most customizable Windows handheld ever in terms of button remapping, offering an unparalleled level of flexibility and a user-friendly experience that outshines similar products.

 

 

Hardware-Level Keyboard and Mouse Mode

 

The newly upgraded software keyboard and mouse mode in AYASpace 2.5 delivers enhanced compatibility across all scenarios. Meanwhile, the AYANEO 3 introduces underlying hardware support, offering a simple and versatile keyboard and mouse emulation experience.

 

 

The AYANEO 3 is equipped with a new IC and self-developed algorithms, supporting seamless switching between the XInput controller protocol and HID keyboard and mouse protocol. This resolves conflicts between the two input protocols at the hardware level, addressing scenarios that software emulation cannot cover, as well as issues like software crashes and bugs in extreme cases. Additionally, the experience can be continuously optimized through updates via AYASpace.

 

 

With underlying hardware support, the AYANEO 3's keyboard and mouse mode not only allows for highly customizable button configurations but also enables gamers to save personalized layout schemes after assigning functions to each button. Even if the AYASpace software is exited, the button configurations remain effective, delivering a truly seamless and convenient experience across all scenarios.

 

 

With AYASpace's intelligent switching for keyboard and mouse mode, gamers can create multiple desktop layout configurations. Once set, AYASpace will automatically switch to the corresponding scheme when launching different games, enabling tailored setups for each game. This ensures a smoother and more intuitive gaming experience.

 

 

The hardware-level keyboard and mouse mode offers native support for all games and software. In titles that rely on keyboard and mouse input, such as RTS, MMORPG, Japanese visual novels, and classic PC games that lack controller support, gamers can use the controller to emulate keyboard and mouse operations for more efficient command input. With the precision of Hall joysticks or the touchpad, the AYANEO 3 expands the range of game genres that can be enjoyed on a Windows handheld, providing a more versatile and enjoyable gaming experience.

 

 

Beyond games and software, the AYANEO 3's keyboard and mouse mode functions seamlessly even in the BIOS. Gamers can use the button mappings configured in AYASpace directly within the BIOS interface, solving the long-standing issue of complex BIOS navigation on Windows handhelds.

 

 

The AYANEO 3 features a control mode switch button on the bottom of the device, allowing gamers to quickly switch between keyboard and mouse mode or controller mode in any scenario, such as during fullscreen gaming. The switch is instant, with fast recognition, providing a smooth, seamless experience.

 

The self-developed hardware solution also supports the gyro functionality of the AYANEO 3, providing hardware support and algorithm improvements for AYASpace's motion-sensing EX feature. This significantly enhances the stability and compatibility of the feature.

 

 

First Self-Developed Magnetic Suspension Motor

 

AYANEO has always prioritized haptic feedback in handheld devices, and with the AYANEO 3, it takes a step further by collaborating with GuliKit to create the first self-developed magnetic levitation motor in a Windows handheld.

 

 

The AYANEO 3's magnetic levitation motor features a unique cylindrical design with increased thickness and volume. The built-in independent permanent magnet vibrator, under the influence of a magnetic field, causes the motion axis to float at the center of the motor, delivering multidimensional, sensitive, and crisp 3D haptic feedback.

 

 

 

The magnetic levitation motor offers natural advantages such as a wider response frequency range, faster response speed, and stronger vibration acceleration, resulting in a more intense burst of haptic feedback. With these advantages, the AYANEO 3, equipped with the magnetic levitation motor, becomes the first Windows handheld to support both linear motor and rotor motor vibration modes.

 

 

 

AYASpace will offer selectable vibration modes, allowing gamers to choose the linear motor vibration mode that adapts to scene changes. This provides a rich, multi-layered, and finely tuned haptic feedback that resonates in sync with the in-game environment for a more immersive and realistic experience.

 

 

For gamers who are accustomed to the Xbox controller's haptic feedback and prefer continuous, intense vibrations, the rotor motor vibration mode is the ideal choice. In fighting and action games, it provides a more powerful, impactful sensation, allowing gamers to feel every punch and strike with greater intensity.

 

 

With the addition of dual vibration modes, the AYANEO 3 introduces professional controller-level haptic feedback to handheld devices for the first time. This provides gamers with industry-leading freedom in vibration experience, offering a more immersive and customizable feel.

 

Agile Triggers + Ergonomic Dual Rear Buttons 

 

To provide gamers with more comprehensive control freedom and convenience, the AYANEO 3 introduces the Agile Triggers for the first time in an AYANEO handheld. These triggers are designed using a two-stage Hall trigger mechanism, offering enhanced precision and responsiveness.

 

 

 

The AYANEO 3 features a completely new trigger design with a trigger lock, allowing for two-stage tactile feedback. In linear mode, the adaptive triggers offer an extended 7.5mm travel, allowing gamers to experience a smooth, throttle-like feel from startup to full acceleration.

 

 

By switching to the tactile mode with the trigger lock, the distance shortens to 3mm, making it easier and less strenuous to trigger. The feedback is crisp and the response is fast, ensuring that even high-frequency presses won’t tire the fingers. This provides a competitive edge in FPS and action games, where every action counts.

 

 

The two-stage adaptive triggers allow players to experience different control sensations across various games, while the addition of two new customizable rear buttons enables easy one-button shortcut operations. These rear buttons support extensive key mapping functions and scripts, allowing gamers to perform impressive combos with just one press.

 

 

Additionally, the AYANEO 3’s ergonomic rear buttons are designed to align with the device's overall aesthetic and are thoughtfully positioned based on ergonomic principles. Typically located near the ring fingers in a natural grip, these buttons are easy to reach while minimizing accidental presses, offering a refined and practical user experience.

 

 

Dual Flagship Screens: LCD & OLED Options

 

The AYANEO 3 gives gamers the freedom to choose their preferred display, offering two flagship 7" screens: a 1080P 120Hz IPS TrueColor display and a 1080P 144Hz OLED VibrantColor display. Whether you’re an LCD or OLED enthusiast, the AYANEO 3 caters to your screen preferences in one device.

 

 

The 7" 120Hz IPS TrueColor display version features 100% sRGB coverage and a peak brightness of 500 nits, maintaining an industry-leading standard of vibrant and bright visuals. With the addition of a 120Hz high refresh rate, dynamic content becomes even smoother and more vivid. This display also supports manual switching between 120Hz and 60Hz, as well as dynamic refresh rate adjustment, allowing the system to automatically switch based on the scenario, balancing smooth performance and battery life.

 

 

This display also supports VRR technology, which allows the screen’s refresh rate to dynamically match the game’s frame rate, eliminating screen tearing and stuttering. Combined with the 120Hz high refresh rate and powerful performance, it delivers consistently smooth and natural high-frame-rate gameplay visuals.

 

 

Another key feature of this display is its native landscape orientation, which is highly favored by gamers. It resolves most of the screen display compatibility issues typically found in Windows handhelds, such as BIOS interfaces, OOBE, advanced startup options, and most importantly, the gaming experience that players care about most.

 

 

 

The AYANEO 3 with native landscape support can run various older PC games, software, and retro games flawlessly, without worrying about display issues. Gamers who crave nostalgia but don’t want to deal with complicated setups can simply enjoy the most straightforward and enjoyable gaming experience.

 

 

For those who prioritize display quality, the 7" 1080P 144Hz high-refresh OLED VibrantColor display version is the obvious choice. It supports a maximum refresh rate of 144Hz, with an ultra-low screen response time and input latency. Additionally, gamers can manually select from four refresh rate options—120Hz, 90Hz, 60Hz, or 144Hz—allowing them to choose between higher smoothness or longer battery life.

 

 

Additionally, the OLED screen excels in color and brightness performance, reaching an impressive 800 nits of manual peak brightness, delivering vibrant, striking visuals with exceptional contrast. Modern game scenes look more stunning, retro games feel more immersive and power-efficient, and high-definition video playback is more captivating, giving gamers a feast for the eyes.

 

 

 

Both screen versions of the AYANEO 3 boast equally impressive, top-tier quality. Whether you’re part of the LCD crowd seeking smooth stability and eye comfort, or part of the OLED crowd aiming for ultimate smoothness and visual excellence, both groups will enjoy a satisfying, top-notch experience.

 

HyperSound 2.0 HyperSound Effect

 

The AYANEO 3 offers not only an immersive visual experience but also a significant upgrade to audio. It introduces the all-new HyperSound 2.0 surround sound system for the first time.

 

 

The AYANEO 3 features a front-facing symmetrical dual-speaker design, which enhances the stereo effect, ensuring clear and unobstructed sound. The audio is loud and impactful, delivering a powerful and immersive soundstage, much like the resonating beat of a war drum.

 

 

 

What’s more, it is equipped with high-quality amplifier modules from leading suppliers and large-size cavity speakers. After a year of in-depth tuning in collaboration with the original manufacturers, it delivers more powerful treble, richer details, and fuller stereo sound for an immersive audio experience.

 

 

Gamers can feel every crisp footstep and gunshot in the game, while music lovers can enjoy heavenly sounds that will captivate their ears, offering a truly immersive experience.

 

Dual flagship processors available

 

As the flagship handheld of the year, the AYANEO 3 is equipped with the powerful AMD Ryzen™ AI 9 HX 370 processor. It features a new architecture with 4 Zen 5 big cores and 8 Zen 5c small cores, totaling 12 cores and 24 threads. The CPU's single-core and multi-core performance have been significantly improved, and its energy efficiency has seen a substantial boost compared to the previous generation.

 

 

The AI 9 HX 370 processor is equipped with the new AMD Radeon™ 890M, based on the further upgraded RDNA 3.5 architecture. The number of compute units has been increased to 16CU, and the GPU frequency has been boosted to 2.9GHz. Performance is up to 20% higher than the previous generation 780M, allowing for smooth high-frame-rate gameplay of mainstream AAA titles.

 

 

Additionally, the AYANEO 3 equipped with this processor also supports toggling cores in AYASpace to reduce the negative impact of the big-little core architecture and inter-core latency. By locking the big cores, many games see a significant increase in frame rates compared to the default settings, fully unleashing the performance potential.

 

The AI 9 HX 370 processor also features the new XDNA 2 architecture NPU, with an AI processing power of up to 50TOPS. Combined with the CPU and GPU performance, the total processing power of the processor reaches 80TOPS, making it a portable productivity tool. This significantly enhances efficiency in applications such as audio/video editing and AI productivity tasks.

 

 

To achieve more powerful performance output and faster operation speeds, the AYANEO 3 is equipped with 7500MT/s LPDDR5X high-frequency memory and an M.2 2280 PCIe 4.0 SSD, offering up to 64GB of RAM and 4TB of storage. This ultra-powerful configuration meets the needs of both gaming and productivity tasks.

 

 

Additionally, the AYANEO 3 is equipped with two fully functional USB4 ports and one OCuLink port that can output full performance to an external graphics card. When paired with the AG01 or other eGPU docks, it transforms into an all-in-one gaming workstation, further enhancing its already powerful performance.

 

 

In addition to the AI 9 HX 370 processor, the AYANEO 3 also offers an AMD Ryzen™ 7 8840U version. With 8 large cores and 16 threads, it still delivers powerful gaming performance and excellent energy efficiency. Combined with a range of innovative designs and all-around control configurations, it offers gamers the same smooth and immersive gaming experience.

 

AYANEO 3 sets a new benchmark for cooling in 7" handheld consoles. 

 

To support its powerful performance, it is equipped with a fully upgraded third-generation cooling system, featuring a 1350mm² triple copper heat pipe, copper sheets, 29062mm² heat fins, and a large PC turbine fan, ensuring stable 35W high-performance release.

 

 

 

Not only that, but the overall thermal design of AYANEO 3 is more refined, with optimized heat zone distribution and targeted adjustments to the motherboard design. It also improves the power management system and incorporates graphene pads to assist with battery cooling.

 

 

AYASpace supports setting bypass charging and maximum charging levels, further reducing battery heat generation under high power consumption, and helping to extend battery life.

 

 

With multiple enhancements, the AYANEO 3 has made significant improvements in managing screen and grip temperatures during extended high-power use. Even during long gaming sessions at peak performance, it remains within a comfortable temperature range, offering a more enjoyable and smoother overall gaming experience.

 

 

 

AYANEO Iconic Elegant Aesthetics

 

The AYANEO 3 embraces the core design philosophy of "Not Just Looks, All-around Enhancement, Truly User-friendly," inheriting the flagship handheld aesthetics of AYANEO. It creates a minimalist and elegant appearance with a distinctive brand identity, delivering a completely different user experience.

 

 

 

The iconic bezel-less full-screen design of the AYANEO flagship handheld continues to deliver an immersive, edge-to-edge aesthetic on the AYANEO 3. The three classic color options—"Sky White," "Starry Black," and "Retro Power"—showcase the exquisite feel of the full-cover glass panel to the fullest.

 

 

In addition, the overall size of the AYANEO 3 has been slightly increased, allowing for better accommodation of multiple innovative hardware components. This also helps distribute the weight more evenly across the device. Combined with smoother body lines, the result is a more comfortable handheld feel.

 

 

 

With the larger body, the AYANEO 3 features significantly enlarged buttons. For example, the ABXY buttons are 26% larger compared to the AYANEO 2S. Additionally, the shapes of the buttons have been optimized and enlarged. This ensures that gamers can trigger the buttons instantly when needed, without accidental presses when not in use, offering a more precise and convenient button experience.

 

 

 

The AYANEO 3 also features the newly designed "Ergonomic Grip" 2.0. The curved design fits more comfortably against the palm, with a transition gap between the trigger and grip, allowing the middle finger to rest on the grip and the ring finger to naturally rest on the back buttons. The wider body ensures that the spare fingers are perfectly placed, enhancing the overall control of the device.

 

 

 

Additionally, the AYANEO 3 has widened the palm rests at both ends and the bottom of the device. This increases the contact area with the hands, offering a more comfortable and ergonomic grip that fits snugly in the palm.

 

 

The AYANEO 3 not only ensures a comfortable grip and excellent cooling performance but also provides ample space for the angled button layout. This creates an experience akin to a professional gaming controller, effectively preventing hand obstruction and accidental touches, allowing for uninterrupted high-frequency actions and a more immersive gameplay experience.

 

 

AYASpace 3.0 All-in-One Intelligent Control Center

 

AYANEO continues its advantage in self-developed software by introducing the newly upgraded AYASpace 3.0, an all-in-one intelligent control center, offering players an efficient and versatile handheld management experience.

 

 

AYASpace 3.0's main software and Quick Settings window both offer controller module management for AYANEO 3. Gamers can view information about connected modules, unlock them, and intelligently access settings corresponding to the installed modules, maintaining a clean and user-friendly functionality menu.

 

 

Due to hardware dependencies, controller module management, fully customizable key mappings for keyboard and mouse mode, and hardware-level Gyroscopic EX functionality are exclusive features of AYANEO 3.

 

 

Of course, AYASpace 3.0 also brings more optimizations and upgrades. The revamped UI design is more aesthetically pleasing and modern, with intuitive graphical illustrations, further enhancing the interaction experience.

 

 

In addition, AYASpace 3.0 introduces a new "Device" section on the homepage. This section integrates device functions and controller settings, with a more streamlined and efficient classification of features. It also reintroduces screen resolution, refresh rate, and multi-display settings, making it easier for users to quickly make adjustments.

 

 

SnowZone—Advanced Game Status Management Function

 

To enhance the gaming and standby experience on Windows handhelds, AYASpace 3.0 introduces the all-new "Snowfield" feature, which changes the traditional Windows system process management mechanism.

 

 

The "SnowZone" feature can freeze unnecessary processes temporarily, keeping them stored in memory for quick access. Once frozen, these processes no longer consume CPU power. This approach allows for more efficient and rational management of background and foreground processes, delivering a smoother multitasking experience than the native Windows system logic, while also significantly reducing performance and power consumption.

 

 

With "SnowZone" activated in AYASpace 3.0, actions like bringing up the AYA window, exiting to the desktop, or locking the screen will automatically take effect. Players can seamlessly switch between 3A games, the desktop, or other apps, enjoying instant transitions. Locking the screen puts the system in standby, and reopening the game quickly restores real-time progress, offering a true console-level "pause anytime" experience.

 

 

"SnowZone" also supports a process breathing feature, allowing players to set intervals and durations for the breathing cycle. This ensures that even when the game is sent to the background, it remains active. In the future, shortcut key settings will be added, enabling players to pause and resume all game processes with just one click.

 

 

Additionally, "SnowZone" will offer a process management list, allowing gamers to freeze or unfreeze all background processes with a single click. It will also support the creation of a process whitelist, giving gamers more control over which processes are kept active.

 

 

"SnowZone" is an advanced scheduling mechanism optimized specifically for Windows handhelds. It significantly enhances stability, smoothness, and battery life in multitasking scenarios, delivering a transformative upgrade to the overall handheld experience.

 

 

All AYANEO Windows handhelds and Mini PCs will support the "SnowZone" feature after upgrading to AYASpace 3.0, offering a smooth, power-efficient, and seamless gaming experience.

 

Accessories and Shipping Schedule

 

Gamers who participate in the AYANEO 3 pre-sale will enjoy the IGG Early bird price and a generous accessory bundle.

 

 

 

A Milestone in Windows Handheld Innovation

 

The official launch of AYANEO 3 marks a revolutionary breakthrough in the handheld gaming world. With its innovative design, powerful performance, and highly customizable controls, AYANEO 3 not only redefines the boundaries of handheld devices but also reflects AYANEO’s deep understanding of gamer needs and relentless pursuit of technological innovation.

 

 

In the future, AYANEO will continue to explore new possibilities, bringing gamers more groundbreaking products and experiences. We look forward to seeing AYANEO 3 make waves in the handheld market and lead the industry to new heights.

 

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Website: https://ayaneo.com/