Ayaneo Next Lite: The Cheapest Handheld Console That Can Run Steam
Ayaneo Next Lite has officially announced the product page a few days ago, revealing that it is the first handheld console running Valve SteamOS system. Priced at US$299, approximately NT$9,500, it is the cheapest handheld console that can run Steam compared to the current cheapest 256GB version of Steam Deck, which costs about NT$13,400.
Despite its low price, Ayaneo Next Lite’s hardware specifications are not as strong as its competitors. It offers a choice between AMD Ryzen5 4500U or Ryzen 7 4800U processors, both of which are 4 years old and do not match the power of Steam Deck’s RDNA 2. However, it does come with a 47Wh battery, offering a longer battery life compared to Steam Deck and closer to the newly upgraded Steam Deck OLED. In addition, it features a Hall effect rocker, a dual copper tube cooling system, and 16GB of memory.
The handheld console is launched in a bright blue-green color and includes 3 USB-C2.3 Gen 2 ports, along with support for the installation of full-length M.2 2280 NvMe solid-state drives.
One notable difference is that Ayaneo Next Lite does not use the officially supported SteamOS, instead opting for a version of the HoloISO project. This means the system has more restrictions on the software running on the device without official support from Valve.
While Ayaneo Next Lite may not boast the most powerful hardware, its affordability and ability to run Steam make it an appealing option for gamers on a budget.