Ayaneo has officially kicked off its Indiegogo campaign for the Pocket Vert, giving retro gaming fans a chance to lock in early bird pricing on its premium vertical handheld. The campaign is now live for the next month, running until February 4, 2026, and Ayaneo says shipping is expected to start in February 2026 shortly after the campaign wraps.
The project has already cleared its $50,000 funding goal. At the time of writing, the campaign is sitting at $59,245 raised from 160 backers, with 35 days still left—an early sign that interest in the Pocket Vert is strong, especially among players who want a classic Game Boy-style form factor with modern performance.
Pocket Vert pricing and color options (early bird vs retail)
Backers can choose from three versions, with early bird prices offering a sizable discount compared to the planned retail pricing.
The early bird entry point starts at $269 for the base model, which includes 8GB of RAM and 128GB of storage. A higher tier bumps the specs to 12GB of RAM and 256GB of storage for $349, offered in Moon White and Midnight Black. If you want the most eye-catching look, the Lava Red edition is priced at $369 while keeping the same 12GB/256GB configuration.
Once the campaign ends, prices jump noticeably. The base model is expected to retail for $339, while the 12GB RAM + 256GB version rises to $419. The Lava Red edition is set to reach $439 at retail.
Discounted Pocket Vert accessories during the campaign
Ayaneo is also using the campaign window to discount official accessories. Early bird add-ons include an HD tempered glass protector for $7.11 (covering the display area), a cleaning cloth for $3.51, a leather storage bag with a strap for $33.21, and a protective case for $11.61.
One accessory you won’t find listed as an add-on is a charging dock, which appears to be absent from the campaign’s accessory lineup.
Pocket Vert specs: a modern Android handheld built for retro gaming
The Pocket Vert blends a throwback vertical design with hardware aimed at smooth emulation and Android gaming. It features a 3.5-inch LTPS LCD with a sharp 1440 x 1600 resolution and a 60Hz refresh rate.
Powering the device is the Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 processor paired with LPDDR5 RAM and UFS 3.1 storage—hardware that should comfortably handle a wide range of retro systems and demanding Android titles. For connectivity and expansion, the handheld includes a microSD card slot, a USB 3.1 Gen 2 Type-C port, and a 3.5mm headphone jack, making it easy to expand storage and plug in accessories.
On the wireless side, the Pocket Vert supports Wi‑Fi 6E and Bluetooth 5.2. It also includes a fingerprint scanner, an internal cooling fan, and a 6,000mAh battery.
In terms of controls, Ayaneo builds in the usual essentials—D-pad, action buttons, and shoulder buttons—while adding a touchpad positioned below the D-pad that simulates analog joysticks, a design choice that could help with games that benefit from analog-style input while keeping the compact vertical layout.
With early bird pricing, multiple color options, and a shipping target of February 2026, the Ayaneo Pocket Vert campaign is positioned as a time-limited opportunity for anyone who wants a premium vertical retro handheld at a lower price before retail rates take effect.
