AYANEO has officially confirmed the existence of the KONKR Pocket BLOCK, a new vertical-format Android handheld console designed for emulators. Essentially, the company has revealed its design after leaks had previously hinted at its upcoming release. Clearly, as evident from its design, the brand is strongly leaning into nostalgia for classic Game Boys, but with a more modern, compact form factor and current technology. The device had been leaked earlier in the week, but now the company itself has showcased it through official images.
The Pocket BLOCK arrives under the KONKR brand. It’s important to remember that KONKR is a secondary brand of AYANEO, focused on catering to a more budget-friendly segment compared to their premium Windows consoles. Visually, the console evokes a Game Boy with its vertical orientation, directional pad, front buttons, and reduced size. However, to avoid any calls from Nintendo’s lawyers, it sports a more aggressive and modern aesthetic. The console is constructed from plastic, does not include joysticks, features a microSD card slot on the left side, and retains a 3.5 mm headphone jack at the bottom. At least two colors have been seen: grey and purple.
What We Know About the KONKR Pocket BLOCK Console
AYANEO presents it as the “world’s first gaming handheld console with AI,” although this claim might be an overstatement. Other companies have already incorporated AI, and indeed, AI can be incredibly helpful. Consider the number of games released solely in their original language. This is where AI is utilized for real-time text translation. Consequently, the KONKR Pocket BLOCK will integrate AI-powered concepts and functions, though the company has not yet detailed what this means in practical terms. Given the current market offerings, translation is likely its key strength. Not to mention, using AI as a selling point on such a low-power console, intended for emulating very old games, doesn’t seem entirely logical.
Regarding specifications, AYANEO has not yet provided a complete technical sheet. Neither the SoC it uses, RAM, storage, nor screen resolution have been disclosed. Therefore, don’t expect a release date or a recommended retail price either. The only detail mentioned from previous leaks is a possible 3,500 mAh battery with 10W charging via USB-C, which is reasonable for such a small console.
The KONKR Pocket BLOCK will thus compete with a wide array of similar consoles, including the TRIMUI Brick, Anbernic RG35XX, and Retroid Pocket Classic. Its price will be a decisive factor in whether it becomes a strong contender in the market. This is especially true since the absence of joysticks significantly limits the experience for modern games. We will have to wait to see if it becomes just another console on the market or if it arrives at an attractive price to capture attention.
