Do we really need more powerful Android pocket computers?

At GDC 2025, Qualcomm has announced its new range of processors that will soon go to Android pocket computers. The headliner of the trio is the Snapdragon G3 Gen 3, to come more than a year after the release of its predecessor. It promises to provide a 30% increase in the processor and a leap of almost 30% to the GPU, which is of course on paper and probably in practice.

Of course, they were not the only announcements, because we also saw Ayaneo, OnexSugar and Retroid announce new game pocket computers. The introduction by Ayaneo of the S2 pocket does not surprise, see the original pocket was the first device to ship with the Snapdragon G3X Gen 2.

Until now, this has worked like the most powerful chip for Android Gaming pocket computers, despite the personalized pilot support. So, of course, I am damn excited to put my hand on the S2 pocket and see if the G3 Gen 3 works as well as Qualcomm.

However, at the same time, I had this nagging question in the bottom of my mind: have we reached the decreasing point of return? It is the same feeling that I have with regard to smartphones, because I think that slab phones have reached their peak, which leads to my commitment to the foldables.

Fortunately, I do not feel the same with regard to the design of pocket computers because there is much more flexibility. But I don’t really know if we need faster and more powerful processors. Do not get me wrong, if RPCS3 for Android continues its frantic development in development and Winlorator continues to improve; Then this catch will probably be quite stupid.

Even with Nintendo doing everything he can to put an end to emulation of change, the fact that you can use Android to play PS3, switching and PC games is breathtaking. But to take advantage of it, you will have a nice penny.

When the Ayaneo Pocket Indiegogo campaign started, you are considering a starting price of $ 399 for the basic 1080p model. Currently, you cannot really buy the basic Pocket S model, but before you get out of the stock, you look at $ 559. You may know where I go with it, but it’s more expensive than the Steam bridge 512 GB OLEDWhich is a little more capable than the S Pocket.

At the same time, there is Ayn with its Odin 2 range of Android Gaming pocket computers, which are all fueled by the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2. The trio of ODIN 2 models offers a variety of RAM configurations, but the basic model can currently be obtained for $ 299.

Currently, the company’s latest pocket computer, the Odin 2 portal with OLED, starts at $ 329. Even if you opt for the Odin 2 portal (max), with its 16 GB of RAM and 1 TB of storage, its $ 499 price is still lower than the entry -level S.

This is what worries me a bit about the state of high -end Android emulation. Ayaneo has not shared details on the prices for the Pocket S2, but since it arrives with a brand new Qualcomm chip, I suspect that it will be damn expensive. And although some design adjustments have been made, there is really not much imperative reason to get one unless you are a snob like me.

I do not know if the S2 pocket will switch the scale in one direction or the other. I think the burden is put on what the figures look like with the Retroid Pocket Flip 2 and the Pocket Classic.