AYANEO put the KONKR Pocket Block on shop.ayaneo.com on September 28, 2026: a 165g Game Boy vertical with a 3.33-inch 960x720 4:3 LCD, MediaTek Helio G85, Android 12, and no analog sticks. Early bird is $79 for 2GB/32GB and $99 for 3GB/64GB (list $89 / $109). Shipping starts end of October 2026 (Retro Handhelds, Notebookcheck, Gizmochina, Android Authority).
Need a ranked shortlist? Use the Handheld Finder or compare devices. Under-$100 stack: best budget handhelds 2026.
Official specs (checked October 5, 2026)
| Spec | KONKR Pocket Block |
|---|---|
| Price | 2GB/32GB $79 early bird (list $89); 3GB/64GB $99 (list $109) |
| Chip | MediaTek Helio G85, Mali-G52 MC2 |
| RAM / storage | 2GB/32GB or 3GB/64GB LPDDR4X + microSD |
| Screen | 3.33" LCD 960x720 4:3 (~360 PPI) |
| Battery | 3,500mAh, USB-C PD |
| Wireless | Wi-Fi 5, BT 5.0 |
| Controls | D-pad + ABXY (rubber membrane), digital L1/R1/L2/R2, no sticks |
| Size / weight | 113.2 x 77.4 x 19.8 mm, 165g |
| Cooling | Heat spreader, no fan |
| OS | Android 12 (AYASpace / AYAHome) |
| Colors | Original Grey, Cube Purple, Atoms White |
| Ships | End of October 2026 |
Shopify on October 5 still had the $10 early bird: 2GB Original Grey $79, 3GB all three colors $99. The 2GB SKU is Grey-only on the cart (AYANEO Shopify). China list is CNY 499 / 599 with no extra early-bird cut (Notebookcheck).
What Helio G85 actually means
Retro Handhelds puts G85 in the same class as the MagicX One 35: PSP is realistic, PS2 is not. That is a step below the KONKR Pocket Advance Helio G90T. Buy Block for 8/16-bit, PS1, and widescreen PSP on a 4:3 panel. Do not buy it to replace an Air Y if you need a stick for 3D.
Android 12 plus AYANEO's launcher on 2GB RAM is the real tax. Spend the extra $20 on 3GB/64GB.
Block vs the other sub-$110 verticals
| Pocket Block | TrimUI Brick | RG 35 | Air Y | Pocket Advance | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Street | $79–$99 | ~$55–$70 | $37.99 | ~$95 | $109–$129 |
| Screen | 3.33" 960x720 4:3 | 3.2" 1024x768 4:3 | 3.5" 640x480 4:3 | 4.2" 1280x960 4:3 | 3.5" 960x640 3:2 |
| Chip | Helio G85 | Allwinner A133P | RK3326 | Snapdragon 662 | Helio G90T |
| OS | Android 12 | Linux | Linux | Android 14 | Android |
| Sticks | No | No | Dual | Hall (one) | No |
| Weight | 165g | ~159g | 191g | vertical Android | 224g |
| Ships | End of Oct | In stock | In stock | In stock | Shipping (delayed) |
Buy Block if you want Play Store Android in a 165g Game Boy shell for $79–$99. Buy Brick or RG 35 if Linux CFW and a unit this week beat a November queue. Buy Air Y if a stick matters. Buy Advance if the open GBA silhouette and G90T light-PS2 headroom matter more than pocket size. Head-to-head on the GBA brick: Advance vs RG SP.
AYANEO already slipped Pocket Advance past its September promise (50–60% of preorders in September, rest after October 7). Treat "end of October" as the start of the queue (Pocket Tactics, Retro Handhelds).
Should you preorder?
Preorder 3GB/64GB at $99 if a stickless Android Game Boy under $100 is the point and you can wait until late October. Skip the 2GB SKU. Skip the whole device if you need sticks, PS2, or a unit in your hands this week — that is Air Y, RG 35, or a TrimUI Brick.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much is the KONKR Pocket Block?
$89 for 2GB/32GB and $109 for 3GB/64GB, or $79 / $99 with the $10 early bird still live on AYANEO's store on October 5, 2026. Shipping is extra.
When does the Pocket Block ship?
AYANEO says end of October 2026. That is the start of the queue, not a delivery date. Pocket Advance already missed a full-September ship promise.
Does the Pocket Block have analog sticks?
No. It is D-pad, ABXY, and digital shoulders only. If you need a stick, buy the Mangmi Air Y or an H700 horizontal.
Can the Pocket Block play PSP and PS2?
PSP and Dreamcast are the realistic ceiling on Helio G85. PS2 and GameCube are not. For light PS2 in KONKR clothing, that is the Pocket Advance G90T.
Should I buy Pocket Block or Pocket Advance?
Buy Block for a 165g vertical at $79–$99. Buy Advance for a flat GBA brick, a fan, and G90T headroom at $109–$129.
Sources
- AYANEO store - KONKR Pocket BLOCK
- Retro Handhelds - Pocket Block preorder
- Notebookcheck - Konkr Pocket Block $89 launch
- Gizmochina - Pocket Block specs and China pricing
- Android Authority - Pocket Block launch
- TechPowerUp - Pocket Block orders open
Featured image: TechPowerUp. Product images used under fair use for editorial purposes.
