The AYN Odin 2 is officially available to order. But what do any of the tech specs mean and should you upgrade to the newer model if you already own the original Odin handheld?
Find out in this deep dive into the AYN Odin 2 and what it should be capable of.
Highlights.
- The AYN Odin 2 uses the more powerful chipset in the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2.
- Design remains similar to the original Odin bar a few button placement changes.
- Runs Android 13 as the operating system.
- Includes an 8000mAh battery.
- Comes in three different models with varying storage and RAM capacities.
What Is The AYN Odin 2?
The AYN Odin 2 is an Android handheld gaming device and a follow-up to the hugely successful AYN Odin.
The new model switches out the Qualcomm Snapdragon 845 seen in the original Odin with a more powerful Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chipset and makes some minor changes to button placements. Of note, the start and select are both now on the lower section of the console.
AYN has also got rid of the Odin logo on the front of the console for the Odin 2, something fans of the original console will surely be happy about.
The final change, albeit minor, is the white version now has a black bezel around the screen, as opposed to the original’s white bezel.
AYN Odin 2 Specs Explained.
It’s the internals of the AYN Odin 2 that drive the biggest change. Gone is the Qualcomm Snapdragon 845 and in its place is the more advanced Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2.
To put things in perspective, the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 has a 4MB larger L3 cache size, a 72 percent higher memory bandwidth, and a higher GPU frequency and CPU clock speed compared with the Snapdragon 845. In simpler terms, the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 is a more capable device that should be able to achieve better visuals and load speeds.
While the AYN Odin 2 won’t be as powerful as the forthcoming AYANEO Pocket S, it will be available sooner.
RAM is split into three options: 8GB, 12GB, and 16GB. The general explanation here is the more RAM, the faster the handheld will move. If you’re picking up the AYN Odin 2 for Android gaming or cloud streaming, RAM is an important consideration. For emulation, however, RAM is less important as most emulators will be using the CPU first, followed closely by the GPU.
More RAM is always a good thing and will help the emulators, but it’s not a clear-cut case of more RAM equals better in-game performance.
Storage capacity all comes down to what you’ll be playing. For Android gaming you can get away with the smaller 128GB Odin 2 as long as you’re okay with deleting apps and games you’re not playing. The 128GB model is also perfect for 8-bit and 16-bit emulation. Those games are generally only a few megabytes in size, so you could have an entire library on the 128GB Odin 2 and still have space spare.
If you’re playing PS1 and Dreamcast, that storage will fill up faster but it’s still manageable. For PS2, GameCube, and Switch games, I’d definitely consider the higher capacities. 256GB will do most people, but if you’re dumping a lot of games, the 512GB is going to be the smartest choice.
The AYN Odin 2 also ships the latest version of Android in Android 13. That operating system was released on August 15, 2022, so it’s still relatively new and should be supported for at least another three years, although Android support from Google varies based on the manufacturer. Samsung and Google devices get longer support, while a Motorola device may only get two years.
The general rule, however, is a device gets security updates for three generations. Hence why it’s more likely the Odin 2’s Android 13 should get support and updates until at least Android 16 releases.
It’s also worth briefly touching on the weight of the device. At 420 grams, it’s a more lightweight device compared to other high-end handhelds. The Steam Deck, for example, comes in at a meaty 670 grams, a massive 250 grams heavier than the AYN Odin 2. If you’re after a device that won’t cause aches after a long play session, the AYN Odin 2 is lightweight enough to avoid discomfort.
- Chipset: Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2.
- CPU: Qualcomm Kyro 64-Bit.
- GPU: Adreno 740.
- RAM: 8GB/12GB/16GB (LPDDR5x).
- Screen Size: 6 inches.
- Screen Resolution: 1920 x 1080 (1080p).
- Storage Capacity: 128GB/256GB/512GB.
- Output: HDMI and display port.
- Battery: 8000mAh Operating System: Android 13.
- Size: 255 by 98 by 17 millimeters.
- Weight: 420 grams.
- Misc: 3.5mm headphone jack, micro SD card slot.
AYN Odin 2 Price Info.
| AYN ODIN 2 Model | Price |
| 8GB RAM and 128GB storage. | $292/£231. |
| 12GB RAM and 256GB storage. | $370/£292. |
| 16GB RAM and 512GB storage. | $446/£353. |
To put this price in perspective, the original Odin Lite and Odin Pro came in at $239 and $396, respectively.
That is a pretty big price jump from the Odin to the Odin 2, but that extra power was always going to come with a cost. You can also still purchase the Lite and Pro replacements the Odin console and Odin Lite for $199 or $239 on the AYN website if you’re not sold on the new pricing. Don’t feel like you have to buy the new device unless you’re absolutely sure the extra power is what you need.
AYN Odin 2 Availability.
The AYN Odin 2 has an expected shipping date of December 2023, though it’s likely to be more complex than that.
AYN often struggles to keep up with orders. Sometimes consumers could get their order within two weeks, other times they’d be chasing up their order months later. It’s possible AYN could get on top of this, but I’d advise ordering the Odin 2 well in advance if you’re hoping to get it anytime soon.
If you want to order the device, check out the AYN Odin 2 IndieGoGo page.
AYN Odin 2 Emulation Potential.
Image credit: AYN.
This isn’t a simple case of ‘X’ power will let ‘Y’ work without any issues. Emulation on Android is limited by the state of the emulators themselves. Up to PS2 should work in most cases as the emulators in question have solid game compatibility. For later consoles, like Nintendo Switch, the state of emulation isn’t great.
It is theoretically possible to play Switch games on the Odin 2, but I wouldn’t bank on general compatibility being strong enough. As a quick example, I managed to get the Razer Edge to play light Switch games like Shredder’s Revenge, but anything more than that was a no-go. That device used the Snapdragon G3x Gen 1 chipset, so the Odin 2 will be more powerful, but again, the compatibility isn’t there for Switch emulation.
As I say, though, up to PS2 should run with minimal issues.
Conclusion.
People who aren’t PC-savvy but own an Android device will always flock to Android handhelds due to their familiarity. If you’re an Android user, the Odin 2 will be easier to use than, say, the Linux-based Steam Deck.
The AYN Odin 2 improves on the original device by making minor but needed changes and a refresh on the chipset is welcome. The Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 means the newer device should be capable of a lot more thanks to an improved CPU and GPU.
The price is sure to be a sticking point for some. It’s understandable it’s more expensive given the newer tech, but it leaves the Odin 2 in an area that’s currently dominated by the Steam Deck at $399. Sure, the Steam Deck is an extra 100 bucks compared with the base Odin 2, but that extra $100 gets you PC gaming and high-end emulation.
Not everyone will care about familiarizing themselves with Linux, though. The Steam Deck is easy to use until you need to enter the Linux desktop mode, then it becomes more advanced and troublesome than something like Android.
The pricing also leaves the Odin 2 just $50 cheaper than the Logitech G Cloud (my personal go-to Android device), although the extra power is sure to hold the G Cloud at bay.
How well the Odin 2 will be received we won’t know until it releases in December. Until then, it’s safe to say the Odin 2 has a ton of potential providing AYN can get on top of shipping speeds and actually get it into people’s hands.
