Slide phones are making a comeback.

Pocket Play is designed for mobile gaming. Photo: Ayaneo .

Retro handheld game console manufacturer Ayaneo has finally unveiled the design of its first Android phone, after first revealing it in August. The device, called Pocket Play, combines the design of a fairly modern-looking Android phone with a sliding game controller.

True to its nostalgic spirit, this device directly recalls the Sony Ericsson Xperia Play released in 2011. Similar to Sony's phone line, the Pocket Play features a physical D-pad, start and select buttons, an ABXY key cluster, and trigger buttons on the side.

The device uses a touchpad-style joystick to maintain the sliding mechanism, eliminating the need for traditional protruding analog sticks. Despite many similarities, the Ayaneo maintains a modern look, with a flat, polished frame and a screen that is significantly taller than the 16:9 panel on Sony's phone.

Pocket Play is reminiscent of the Sony Ericsson Xperia Play line from 2011. Photo: Sony.

This could affect the user experience. When comparing images of the two devices, the gaming controller area of the Ayaneo appears significantly narrower due to its taller screen.

According to detailed images released by the company, the Pocket Play is equipped with shoulder buttons, a power button, and volume control buttons on the side. A very noticeable feature is its rather thick body, yet it still features a dual stereo speaker system.

Pocket Play will be Ayaneo's first foray into the smartphone market, although it was clearly geared towards mobile gaming from the start. The device will have to compete with dedicated gaming phones like the Redmagic 10 Pro and the Asus ROG Phone series, as well as the latest iPhones and Samsung Galaxy phones.

According to Techfox, Pocket Play also brings to mind the early slider phones of the 1990s. The Siemens SL10, the world's first slider phone created by a German brand, was launched in 1998.

By 2002, the Nokia 7650, the first slider phone, was widely known in China, but it hadn't yet become a nationwide sensation. At that time, the market was more interested in the product's specifications and specific features, rather than its slider design.

Around 2018, the Chinese smartphone market witnessed an expansion of diverse products. Products like the Xiaomi MIX 3, Honor Magic 2, and Lenovo Z5 Pro all heavily promoted their own unique sliding mechanism technology.

However, with the rapid development of smartphones, the market began to prioritize larger screen sizes, slim and lightweight designs, and durability. Due to the need to integrate a mechanical sliding mechanism, slider phones almost always have thicker bodies. In addition, these devices also tend to be more prone to damage from impacts compared to traditional bar-style phones.

Pocket Play also raises many doubts among users. According to 9to5Google, the device's design will not be optimal because many Android games have a 16:9 aspect ratio. Therefore, a significant amount of display space will be wasted on both sides.

Currently, the company has not announced the specifications or price. With its innovative design, these are the two factors that consumers consider when making a purchase.