AYANEO’s first smartphone could be a gamer’s dream with shoulder buttons
By | Published: 2025-11-02 20:39:19 | Source: Digital Trends
What happened? AYANEO, the company behind Windows mobile devices like the Pocket series, has officially confirmed its entry into the smartphone arena with a device aimed at mobile gamers. The brand teased the phone in a video showing a standard-looking rectangle, dual rear cameras, and what appear to be shoulder buttons on the top edges. This is a feature that is almost absent from most current flagship phones, although it is very common among gaming-focused phones like the ROG Phone and RedMagic.
- AYANEO has built its reputation by making enthusiast-level laptops, long before the likes of Steam Deck and ROG Ally.
- According to the video, the phone may have physical shoulder buttons when held horizontally.
- In addition, Android Central It is suggested that the device may adopt a sliding design reminiscent of the Sony Xperia Play, where the physical gaming controls are hidden beneath a sliding screen.
Why this is important: Smartphones have become the world’s dominant gaming platform, but most devices rely on touch controls or detachable accessories. AYANEO’s push brings to life the physical gaming controls built into the phone itself, potentially narrowing the gap between console-level inputs and mobile convenience.
- The phone’s built-in shoulder buttons, D-pads, and analog triggers mean fewer compromises in the ecosystem for serious gamers.
- The potential slider form factor suggests that AYANEO aims to merge smartphone aesthetics with mobile gaming ergonomics, an area that few people have attempted in recent years.
- If this device succeeds, it could influence how other smartphone makers think about game-first design, creating a new range of devices designed for mobile eSports and cloud gaming.
Why should I care? If you’re interested in gaming on the go, this phone might change the meaning of “mobile gaming.” Most gaming phones boost the specs; AYANEO wants to rethink how to play on a phone, while borrowing the real ergonomics of a console. This means less on-screen finger gymnastics and more familiar controls when sniping, drifting or grinding in an RPG. And because it’s still a smartphone at heart, you don’t need to carry a separate mobile device when traveling.
- A gaming-focused phone can blend console-style gameplay with everyday mobile use.
- Shoulder triggers can make controlling competitive shooting games like CoD Mobile or PUBG much easier.
- If AYANEO is cooling nails + ergonomics, other brands may have to innovate too.
Okay, so what’s next? At this point, AYANEO still needs to share the basics like specifications, pricing, availability and release schedule, not forgetting to take a proper look at the final design, before anyone can judge whether the phone is more than just a great prototype. The shoulder triggers and quirky design are a great conversation starter, but long-term success depends on how well the phone performs as a phone. Add to that, the mobile gaming industry is already competitive.
RedMagic, for example, offers a liquid cooling design and powerful software features like desktop display, which turns the phone into a touchpad when connected to an external display. So, AYANEO will need a meaningful hook beyond the triggers, whether that’s better ergonomics, smarter cooling, or premium performance. However, the advantage that AYANEO may gain is availability. Many of its mobile devices are sold globally, something the ASUS ROG Phones and RedMagic models haven’t always excelled at. If AYANEO can bring this phone to wider markets at a fair price, it could appeal to gamers looking for an affordable alternative to premium gaming flagships.
(Tags for translation)Gaming
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