Leaked AYANEO Pocket BLOCK hints at a budget Game Boy-style handheld

At a glance:

• A new AYANEO handheld called the Pocket BLOCK has leaked online via images, a user guide, and an FCC filing.
• The device sports a Game Boy-style design with a plastic body, 3,500mAh battery, and 10W wired charging — a step down from the Pocket VERT's 6,000mAh cell and metal-and-glass build.
• AYANEO Pocket VERT retails at $269, but the Pocket BLOCK's cheaper materials and smaller battery suggest a lower price point, though a RAM shortage is keeping handheld costs elevated across the market.

What the leak reveals

The latest leak centers on a device called the AYANEO Pocket BLOCK, spotted by Twitter user Retro Dead Fred and first reported by Retro Handhelds. Images and a full user guide surfaced online, giving enthusiasts an early look at what could become AYANEO's most accessible handheld yet. The Pocket BLOCK borrows the classic Game Boy silhouette that made the Pocket VERT a standout for retro emulation, but trims the premium touches.

According to the leaked user manual and accompanying FCC filing photos, the Pocket BLOCK is constructed from plastic rather than the metal-and-glass combination used on the Pocket VERT. That shift alone points to a cost-conscious design philosophy. On the front face, the device places an AYANEO function key below the screen, with a menu button wedged between the Start and Select buttons — a layout different from the Pocket VERT, which kept the function key between Start and Select. At the bottom of the unit you'll find a USB-C port and a 3.5mm headphone jack.

Internal specs and I/O details

The user guide and FCC filing confirm several hardware details that set the Pocket BLOCK apart from its pricier sibling. Internally, the device houses a 3,500mAh battery — significantly smaller than the Pocket VERT's 6,000mAh cell. A test report included with the FCC filing also references 10W wired charging and what appears to be Bluetooth 4.1 support.

On the I/O front, the Pocket BLOCK includes:

• A microSD card slot
• Two customizable buttons on the left side (mapped to Xbox and Back buttons by default)
• Power and volume keys on the right side
• A pair of speakers located on the bottom corners
• USB-C port
• 3.5mm headphone jack

These ports and buttons suggest the handheld is aimed at retro gaming and emulation first, with enough customization to appeal to enthusiasts who want to tweak their controls.

How it compares to the Pocket VERT

AYANEO's existing Pocket VERT has been praised as one of the best handhelds for Game Boy emulation, thanks to its familiar form factor and premium build quality. However, its $269 recommended retail price has been a barrier for budget-conscious buyers. The Pocket BLOCK appears designed to fill that gap by swapping metal and glass for plastic and shrinking the battery capacity in half.

The trade-offs are clear: you lose battery life and the premium feel, but gain a potentially lower price. Whether that trade-off is worth it will depend on how aggressively AYANEO prices the new device, especially given the broader market context.

Market context: the RAM crisis and handheld pricing

The article notes that a widespread RAM shortage has caused a significant spike in handheld prices across the industry. That headwind makes it unlikely the Pocket BLOCK will hit the sub-$100 mark many fans are hoping for. Even budget-oriented handhelds have felt the pressure, so AYANEO's pricing will likely reflect current component costs rather than the device's reduced build materials alone.

Still, the Pocket BLOCK's plastic chassis and smaller battery should give AYANEO room to price it below the $269 Pocket VERT. If the company can keep the final retail price in the $150–$200 range, it could carve out a strong niche for itself among retro gaming fans who want a capable emulation device without the premium price tag.

What to watch next

The FCC filing confirms the Pocket BLOCK is more than a rumor — the device exists in some form and is moving through regulatory channels. AYANEO has not officially commented on the leak, so an official announcement could be weeks or months away. Keep an eye on whether the company confirms the 3,500mAh battery, Bluetooth 4.1, and the exact I/O configuration shown in the user guide.

For now, the Pocket BLOCK remains an intriguing preview of a potentially more affordable entry point into AYANEO's lineup. If priced right, it could attract a wave of retro gaming enthusiasts who found the Pocket VERT's cost prohibitive.