This new Android handheld looks like the Game Boy clone I’ve been waiting for

After months of teasers, we’ve finally got some more details surrounding the Ayaneo Pocket Vert, an upcoming Android handheld that wears its Game Boy inspiration on its sleeve. While it might not be the only vertical handheld we’ve seen in 2025, it might be the most stylish, with a futuristic spin on the classic Nintendo form factor, and the spec sheet is pretty impressive too.

For those who don’t know, Ayaneo is responsible for some of the most impressive retro handhelds we’ve seen in the last couple of years, including the Game Boy Micro lookalike Pocket Micro and the Pocket DS, which, as you can probably guess, takes design inspiration from Nintendo’s iconic clamshell handheld. With that in mind, we’ve got pretty high hopes for the Pocket Vert.

In terms of the new specs, we now know that the Pocket Vert is packing a Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 processor, which, while not the latest Qualcomm chip, should still be plenty powerful enough to run the best mobile games. Outside of that, we’re looking at a 3.5-inch LCD screen and two configurations to pick from: 8GB of RAM and 128GB of storage or 12GB of RAM and 256GB of storage. The spec sheet also points to thermal management via an active air cooling system, which should keep your hands from getting too toasty while gaming.

As for the design, the Game Boy influence is pretty obvious just from looking at the Pocket Vert, but there are a few differences. For a start, the Ayaneo handheld’s front panel is made of glass, lending a sort of premium aesthetic that you don’t get from the similarly shaped Retroid Pocket Classic. There are three colors to choose from, including Midnight Black, Lava Red, and Moon White. I’m personally a big fan of Midnight Black, but just because it matches my other hardware, like my Nintendo Switch 2 and Steam Deck OLED.

Not only has Ayaneo revealed the Pocket Vert’s specs, but it’s also shown off some accessories, including a hard case, specialist cleaning cloth, and a dock. It’s also worth mentioning that it runs on Android 14, not Linux, which should make it easier to set up even if you’re not a tech whiz. My Retroid Pocket 5 is currently my go-to for handheld Android gaming, but given how much I love the Game Boy form factor – after all, I’m a 90s baby – I’m tempted to pick up the Pocket Vert myself.

Unfortunately, the only real mysteries surrounding the Ayaneo Pocket Vert are when it might launch and how much it’s going to cost. It looks like a launch event is on the cards for December, but that doesn’t necessarily mean it’ll start shipping right away, so if you want to get your hands on the handheld, you might be looking at the start of next year until it arrives.