AISLPC is set to launch their next handheld, the Pocket AIS, into the currently booming handheld gaming market. As the name suggests, the Pocket AIS is a pocket-sized, fully powered handheld gaming console that can provide you with hours of entertainment on the go.
Retro gaming, specifically, retro gaming on the move, is experiencing something of a resurgence these days. With the world opening up again and people moving about, it’s tough to revolve around your PC and consoles at all times. Plus, the modern gaming society has been slowly moving towards the mobile handheld form factor, with such devices becoming a natural home and the first places where people actually start gaming.
Of course, the real advantage of retro gaming is the sheer amount of games that one has access to in terms of size and in terms of how utterly playable these games are in the absence of the internet. You can fit 1000s of classics and bonafide GOTY games in place of a modern cookie-cutter app with a 3.5 Start Rating, which needs to be always online and needs your PII before it can even load up. Not to forget, you can play these games when you are on the subway/plane when your phone’s internet connection is not so good.
The Hardware
The AISLPC’s Pocket AIS features a 4.5-inch IPS display. Keeping the classic 4:3 aspect ratio. The Pocket AIS boasts a resolution of 1024×768, which, for its screen size and the games it’s supposed to run, is more than enough.
The handheld is powered by the Rockchip RK3562 processor, along with 2 GB RAM and 4 GB of internal storage. Comes with WiFi 6 connectivity and offers both the 2.4 GHz and the 5 GHz bands so that you can have some multiplayer fun if you want to. All of this is powered by a 4000 mAh battery, which is more than the iPhone AIR offers, so there is that.
The Pocket AIS offers dual 3D analog joysticks along with some ambient RGBs. The joysticks use an off-center layout, something that almost every gamer would be comfortable with, and the form factor speaks more to the Nintendo Switch Lite than the Steam Deck. So gamers would be able to “fit” this in their pockets much more easily.
Of course every handheld console worth its salt needs a 3.5 mm headphone jack, a USB-C OTG port, and a Micro SD expansion slot when (and not if) you need more space compatible with up to 512 GB.
The Software
Pocket AIS would arrive with Pocket Ais OS already loaded onto the console. The proprietary Pocket AIS runs on Ais OS, their custom operating system based on Rocknix, with a completely new custom UI.
It is designed to provide a straightforward and intuitive ready-to-use experience, while a community version of Rocknix is also available for more experienced users who want greater flexibility for customization and exploration.
Ais OS is fully compatible with many popular retro gaming platforms, including PSP, Dreamcast, N64, NDS, GBA, GB, GBC, NES, Neo Geo, MAME, CPS1/2/3, Mega Drive, NAOMI, and select PS2 games, among others.
Gaming is not the only thing Pocket AIS is good at. Ais OS has an “Application” section, which would let users download apps such as YouTube, TikTok, etc. Ais OS also supports online battles. These online features require an internet connection.
The Pocket AIS also arrives with Smart Automatic Cooling Systems. It features a 5-level fan speed control system. This software offers an out-of-the-box capability to control the speed depending on workload and allows the console to conserve battery and maintain operability at different stress loads.
Release Date and Pricing
Pocket AIS is all set to be released on Oct 24, 2026, with an official retail price of USD $169.99. So, it will not burn a hole in your wallet.
AISLPC plans to bring 2 color variants to Pocket AIS. Namely:
- Black
- Green
If you’re keen on getting your brand-new handheld at the earliest, check out this link to place your order!.
You can check out the Pocket AIS on AISLPC’s own page to know more about it.
