Gaming handheld specialist Ayaneo has officially confirmed its first smartphone is coming, potentially reviving the forgotten art of built-in gaming controls. The company dropped a teaser video showing glimpses of what could be the first phone with integrated shoulder buttons since Sony's Xperia Play died over a decade ago.
The gaming handheld world just got a lot more interesting. Ayaneo, the company behind some of the most creative retro-inspired gaming devices, has confirmed it's building its first smartphone - and it might actually have the gaming controls everyone's been waiting for.
The teaser video offers tantalizing glimpses of what appears to be a pretty standard rectangular device at first glance. But look closer and you'll spot dual cameras positioned in the top-left corner, plus what industry watchers are identifying as shoulder buttons. That detail alone has Android Central speculating we might see a sliding design reminiscent of the Sony Xperia Play, where gaming controls hide beneath the screen until you need them.
The timing makes perfect sense when you consider Ayaneo's trajectory. The company first teased this phone concept back in August during their dual-screen Pocket DS reveal event. Since most of their gaming handhelds already run custom Android builds, adding cellular connectivity isn't exactly rocket science.
But here's what makes this potentially game-changing: the current gaming phone landscape is frankly boring when it comes to controls. Companies like Asus and Black Shark focus on high-end chips and cooling systems, treating gaming phones like regular smartphones with better specs. Physical controls get relegated to clunky accessories that most people never actually buy or use.
Ayaneo could flip that script entirely. The company has built its reputation on understanding what gamers actually want - tactile buttons, ergonomic designs, and that satisfying click feedback that touchscreens simply can't replicate. Their handhelds consistently nail the balance between nostalgia and modern functionality.
