Ayaneo's Konkr Pocket Block opens preorders as an $89 Game Boy-style handheld
Ayaneo's Konkr sub-brand has opened preorders for the Pocket Block, an $89 Game Boy-style handheld with a 3.3-inch screen and Helio G85 chip, due to ship by the end of October.
The Pocket Block is designed for retro game emulation. It has a 3.3-inch LCD screen with a 960 x 720 resolution and a 4:3 aspect ratio. Ayaneo equips it with a MediaTek Helio G85 chip, which Engadget reported should handle titles up to the PlayStation and Nintendo 64 generations, though it may struggle with PlayStation 2 or GameCube software.
The handheld includes a 3.5mm audio jack, a microSD slot for expanded storage, a USB-C port and Wi-Fi and Bluetooth compatibility. The base model with 2GB of memory and 32GB of storage is available only in gray. A version with 3GB of memory and 64GB of storage starts at $99 and comes in gray, purple and white.
When Ayaneo first announced the Konkr Pocket Block, it described the device as the 'world's first AI handheld.' The company has not detailed what AI-powered features will be available. Ayaneo also offers a more premium vertical handheld, the Pocket Vert, for customers who do not want the entry-level Pocket Block.
Editor's Summary
Ayaneo's Konkr sub-brand has opened preorders for the Pocket Block, an $89 Game Boy-style handheld that starts at $79 during preorder and is expected to ship by the end of October. The launch expands Ayaneo's Konkr line into lower-cost retro handhelds with a 3.3-inch 960 x 720 screen and MediaTek Helio G85 chip. Ayaneo has not explained the AI features it once highlighted for the device, and it also offers the more premium Pocket Vert.