AyaNeo Next Lite release date speculation, price and specs

Now that it’s been fully revealed, you might be curious about any AyaNeo Next Lite release date speculation. It looks to compete head-on with the Steam Deck and more of the best Linux handhelds, so we’re going to be taking a look at the confirmed prices and specs which can inform this discussion.

Announced by AyaNeo amid the oncoming release of its KB Flip and the MSI Claw, it’s going to offer up a “outstanding cost-effectiveness” at the same time as “further popularising numerous flagship features,” according to the press release.

AyaNeo Next Lite release date speculation

There’s not much in the way of information on the AyaNeo Lite’s release date. After we reached out to AyaNeo for information on launch details: “it will be available at the AyaNeo online store in the near future.” While this doesn’t allude to an specific date, it certainly feels close.

There’s a few other AyaNeo handhelds that are set to release soon too: the KB Flip DS and KB, for example. While the company could have a lot on its hands with these launches – it makes sense to get a little head start on its rival releases.

The price of the AyaNeo Next Lite is extremely affordable

It’s only going to cost $299 for the base model, extraordinarily cheap compared to the $549 cost of the Steam Deck OLED. If the AyaNeo Next Lite is poised as a competitor to the Steam Deck, the significant price difference is going to play heavily into its favour.

If you also look at the prices of other handheld gaming PCs – the ASUS ROG Ally’s MSRP is set at $699, identical to the Lenovo Legion Go’s. The AyaNeo Next Lite’s price-tag, even cheaper than the Nintendo Switch OLED, doesn’t seem too bad at all.

The AyaNeo Next Lite specs are certainly humble

• Screen Size: 7-inch 800p IPS Original Color Screen
• CPU: AMD Ryzen 5 4500U or AMD Ryzen 7 4800U
• Storage: 128GB (Ryzen 5 4500U only) or 512GB
• Memory: 16GB LPDDR4
• SSD: M.2 2280 PCIe 3.0
• Battery: 47Wh
• OS: HoloISO (a distro of SteamOS)

While the previous iterations of the AyaNeo Next came with a Zen 3 architecture mobile processor, the AyaNeo Next Lite takes a step backward to Zen 2. This compromise is where most of the price is saved on the AyaNeo Next Lite, and it’s definitely something you’re going to want to factor in if you’re considering a future-proof handheld. As much as I’d like to praise the Next Lite for its savvy pricing, the processor downgrade is going to limit the handheld slightly.

That said, while the specs don’t live up to that of the Steam Deck’s, perhaps it’s better compared to a Nintendo Switch. If there’s going to be a successor to the current flagship handheld, it better have specs in the same ballpark range as this.

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We’re going to be keeping an eye out for the latest updates on the AyaNeo Next Lite, so make sure to check back in with us periodically. We’re going to be excited to compare it to other handheld gaming PCs, and even AyaNeo’s own devices.

Is the AyaNeo Next Lite faster than a Steam Deck?

The AyaNeo Next Lite isn’t faster than a Steam Deck, and it’s likely that performance won’t overpower it. Its using older Zen 2 architecture processors, rather than the Steam Deck’s Zen 3 / RDNA 2 mobile processors.

Can you dock the AyaNeo Next Lite?

AyaNeo has a dock which can be used with the AyaNeo Pro. As it functions on USB-c, it seems likely the Next Lite will feature a similar feature.