AYANEO , a well-known Android handheld brand, teased its entry to the smartphone market late last year with its new gaming smartphone, the Pocket PLAY . The gaming smartphone, unarguably, looks cool, thanks to its sliding design that opens up a full setup, featuring a physical D-pad, start and select buttons, ABXY buttons, and triggers. Think of it as your console controller wrapped within a smartphone body. The company said that it would launch the gaming smartphone today, January 13, 2026. Well, the bad news is that AYANEO has delayed the launch of its gaming smartphone , alongside plenty of information for customers.
AYANEO delays its first Android gaming smartphone to fix shipping and other concerns
In a quite lengthy update shared earlier today, AYANEO’s CEO, Arthur Zhang, detailed the plan to focus on improving its shipping and support services. The company now promises that it will focus less on Indiegogo campaigns and instead focus on speeding up shipping to make sure buyers get the Android gaming smartphone on time. This has resulted in AYANEO selling its products on its own website, and not just Indiegogo. That’s one of the reasons the AYANEO delayed its Pocket PLAY gaming smartphone.
In the post, Zhang also noted that the company is looking to include strict shipping timelines and update more often on crowdfunding plans later down the line. If you were hoping to get your hands on AYANEO’s gaming smartphone, you will have to wait a little longer. Zhang further adds that the company is rapidly working on its development. The gaming smartphone could now launch sometime in January or early February. As the company announced the delay, it has now bought itself some time to clear out its previously preordered units.
No wonder the news may have disappointed many. But now, AYANEO is looking to get everything in place. Meaning, you can expect timely launches, faster shipping, and a better overall experience when you shop with them. For now, THE AYANEO Pocket PLAY is delayed, not canceled. That’s a big relief for existing AYANEO customers, or those looking to buy the much-anticipated gaming smartphone .
The company wants to keep everything checked
Last but not least, AYANEO is also looking to standardize its lemon policy, warranty-related improvements, and support channels. While all this is necessary, AYANEO wants to keep things tight so it delivers products on time, as promised. Now that portable handheld gaming is gradually booming, it’s understandable why the company is prioritizing it immediately. Just to be clear, there is a lot going on in the blog post. Interestingly, those aren’t related to AYANEO’s gaming smartphone. So, if you are a longtime admirer of what AYANEO is doing in the handheld segment, check it out.
