Pocket AIS: Smaller Handheld, Better Fit? | AISLPC
AISLPC’s Pocket AIS puts familiar gaming hardware into a smaller package—but changes more than just the size. How does its four-by-three screen, redesigned interface, and expanding app selection compare with the RG52 Mini I recently featured?
I take a hands-on look at the games, controls, and everyday experience to explore what you gain, what you give up, and which handheld might be a better fit for you.
Get 10% off the Pocket AIS or RG52 Mini, plus free shipping:
https://genxgrownup.com/AISLPC
Use promo code GXG at checkout.
AISLPC provided the Pocket AIS for this video. The link above is an affiliate link; purchases help support GenXGrownUp.
#retrogaming #handheld #arcade #genxgrownup
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– CHAPTERS
00:00 Pocket AIS
01:50 Box & Contents
02:45 Hardware Tour
05:33 Power On & Menu
09:55 1941
11:24 Crazy Taxi 2
13:18 Apps
18:38 Katamari Damacy
19:25 Assassin’s Creed Bloodlines
20:25 Favorites
20:55 Conclusion
@rvs8425
November 1, 2026 at 8:49 am
Great-looking game console!
@DavidWonn
November 1, 2026 at 8:49 am
14:43 Does it allow you to remove some of the built-in bloatware / spyware social media apps on this screen, or are you stuck with them?
@ricklorentson7859
November 1, 2026 at 8:49 am
What a great review. Thanks, if I was 8n the market this might be something worth checking out. Especially for the price. Just need Paul to make some hand grips for it. That seemed to be a slight problem watching yo u playing it.
@DEATHXDORUgoramon
November 1, 2026 at 8:49 am
The Moonlight app lets you stream any games from your PC. You can run even something like Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth or expedition 33 for example from this screen. It's basically "remote play" but in general for PC.
@MasterOfTheNinthArch
November 1, 2026 at 8:49 am
Fun video thanks, it seems the screen has some dead pixels.
@snowdog03
November 1, 2026 at 8:49 am
Meta AI: Yep, that's all classic Pocket AIR / Air Mini Android quirks — Jon runs into them on every AYANEO Android device.
1. No game downloader
Intentional. AYANEO removed any built-in ROM downloader after they got hammered on the Pocket S. They used to have a "Game Center" that scraped ROMs and they got legal threats, so now AYAHome literally just shows empty icons with no description and no downloader. You have to sideload yourself — USB from PC or SD card to `Roms/` folder. He couldn't show a downloader because there isn't one anymore.
2. No video out
The Helio G90T in that $100 model doesn't support DisplayPort Alt-Mode over USB-C. So even if you plug in a USB-C hub with HDMI, you get nothing. It's hardware-limited. The more expensive Pocket S / Pocket AIR Pro with Snapdragon G3x Gen 2 does support video out, but the Mini/AIS $100 model never will — no firmware can fix it.
3. Can't navigate system files / back button not working
Two Android things colliding:
– File navigation: Android 11+ scoped storage blocks file managers from seeing `Android/data/`. So when Jon tries to browse to where AYAHome puts apps or saves, it shows empty. Fix is use Material Files or Solid Explorer and give it "All files access" permission in settings, then it works.
– Backout / Back button: AYAHome captures the B button / Back gesture as "Game Mode" instead of system back. So when he's in the file manager or the app store with no descriptions and hits back, nothing happens or it kicks him to the home screen. Fix:
– In AYAHome > Settings > Controller > set Back Key to "System Back" not "AYAHome"
– Or swipe from left edge instead of pressing B — Android gesture back still works even when the button is mapped wrong.
Most people who keep it just install Beacon Launcher or Daijisho as default launcher, kill AYAHome, and all three issues go away — you get real file browsing, real back button, and you use your own ROMs folder.
@TedAdamGreen
November 1, 2026 at 8:49 am
Thanks for another solid review Jon!
And yeah … Moonlight … that’s a rabbit hole you need to go down when the time is right.
But it’s deep and wide.
You’d have to also look into Apollo and Artemis as well. But the upside is Amazing for the right person.
Happy Halloween!!
@mikesilva3868
November 1, 2026 at 8:49 am
Nice 😊
@KatDoomsong
November 1, 2026 at 8:49 am
This seems like such a hard recommend over the RG52 Mini. You lose the HDMI out and that d-pad looks like it would be no fun to use. I'm fine with circular d-pads, but usually there's at least a cross on those to give some tactile feel of what direction you're pressing. Also, Android apps with no touch screen is kinda devious. I guess maybe it comes down to wanting the 4:3 screen and an included games card. The 52 is less money for more features, and in 4:3 the Ayaneo Pocket Air mini is available for about $20 less and the Anbernic RG476H is a little more, both with much better processors.
@garrypeak4277
November 1, 2026 at 8:49 am
Another good video.
Although Jon, I’m having an increasing issue with what l seeing with your videos, and I’m not happy.
Do you have any idea how much it costs to import this stuff down here to Australia? 😃
Also, I’m 18 beers deep and trying to beat Earthworm Jim 2 on Evercade,,and it isn’t going well 😂
Cheers from Sydney!
@HenryCavillage
November 1, 2026 at 8:49 am
I enjoyed to this video…. Thanks to you👍👍
@DEATHXDORUgoramon
November 1, 2026 at 8:49 am
I love the teal color combined with the off white buttons and thank god for the sd card slot!
@JK7J7K
November 1, 2026 at 8:49 am
I think I might get this or the rg52, seems very cool
@johnnym196
November 1, 2026 at 8:49 am
Hi once again, Jon. Nice BONUS video for me to watch, since I'm a member once again, thanks to John Barger.
Nice looking AISLPC pocket handheld. Nice comparison to the RG52 mini handheld.
The gameplay looks nice on this device (eg. 1941, and Crazy Taxi … not that I'm very good either on the Crazy Taxi game).
Like the quality of the 3D PSP games. Sure there's no HDMI port, although it's still a good looking handheld.
See you in your next video. PLP PLP 😈👿👾💜💜💜