Loki Max – Reaching the Summit?

Beginning with a handheld device is similar to starting with a video game's basic tools. Your lowest-end things accomplish the bare minimum which you require. That could be the wooden tools used to smash stones in games. That's your RGB20S or RG35XX with handhelds. It may play up to the Playstation 1 if you're lucky. But what occurs if you require more? Yes, you can keep within your budget; if you look closely enough, you might find an N64 or Dreamcast, but ultimately you'll want more. The ultimate goal is to have the tools to accomplish anything, so why not search for a portable device that can do everything? The Loki Max, you have my submission.

There is always a brief peak, whether you're topping out in x86 or Android; I discovered mine in 2023. For some, it was the Steam Deck; for others, it was the Odin 2. However, for now, the AYN Loki Max, a mobile device with an almost two generations old processor, is the pinnacle. I want to discuss what to anticipate when you go for the stars, but it's not a comprehensive review.

Before getting involved, I bought all the handhelds, so the probably unfavourable impressions are also mine.

Ergonomics and Size

As is evident with most "higher-end devices," size increases with price. At least in the x86 market, you get a larger device with greater power, which requires more cooling and results in a heavier product. What these manufacturers do with all this extra size is a contentious issue.

For instance, the Loki Max is a very cozy gadget. It has full-sized joysticks, a D-pad, face buttons with gratifying actuation, nicely contoured grips, and full analog triggers with barely a little noise.

It feels like the Loki Max is much smaller than something like the Steam Deck. It is a significantly more compact device overall, being shorter and thinner. I still need to get used to the Steam Deck controls being pushed into the upper corners of the device, but overall, the Loki is a more comfortable gadget.

Despite the Odin 2's more extraordinary narrowness, the screens keep the two handhelds at a comparable height. I like almost every button on the Loki when I'm not in the sticks. Nonetheless, the Odin 2 is a far more comfortable gadget due to its reduced weight.

Is the Ayaneo Air Plus next to it? In addition to being higher and broader, the Loki is just a more comfy gadget. At least it isn't equipped with switchsticks and baby buttons. The price tag increases along with your expectations when you go to the top end of handhelds. If you're spending Loki Max money these days, your sticks ought to be marginally better than something on a $70 handheld.

The weights of the handhelds above and a "traditional" lower-end gadget are shown here.   

Retroid Pocket 2S – 197 grams

AYN Odin 2 – 426 grams

Ayaneo Pocket Air Plus – 519 grams

AYN Loki Max – 575 grams

LCD Steam Deck – 708 grams

Specs

High-end requirements for a portable device. A Ryzen 7 6800U CPU powers the Loki Max with a corresponding 680M APU. This system also has 16GB of RAM, a 512GB SSD (which can be swapped out for a suitable 2242 drive), and a 6" 1920x1080 touchscreen. A good 46.2-watt-hour battery powers all of this.

Oh, and the standard bits and pieces, of course: Bluetooth 5.2, Wi-Fi 6E, and a gyroscope. All of this is integrated into a handheld device that can be plugged into its USB-C USB 4.0 connector. Therefore, every dock you see for the Steam Deck will also work nicely for this, naturally, if you place it upside down.

Performance

After using these more expensive x86 handhelds, I discovered that I didn't want to do a lot of emulation on them. If I did, I would start the Buster Brothers Collection on my Playstation 1, set my TDP as low as possible, and then go. I made some initial attempts at PC emulation of the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 to demonstrate what could be done, and you need to ramp up the heat for those. I typically set the TDP to about 25 watts and proceed from there because I'm a general set-it-and-forget-it type of person. For the most part, my favourite genre—racing games—performed well. I would occasionally stutter, but because of the more extended playtime at high TDP, I didn't crash as frequently as I may have. However, generally speaking, I could have substituted them plugged in.

Instead, I decided to accomplish what expensive Android devices cannot: play PC games. I can handle 30 frames per second at roughly 15 watts using Forza Horizon 5 at 720p low settings. I got FixFox, Celeste, and Pac-Man World Re-Pac to function correctly at even lower TDPs. The purpose of these peak devices is to have fresh, portable experiences that I otherwise wouldn't have. And the Loki Max excels at that.

I'll provide a few more instances because I didn't want this to be a comprehensive, in-depth analysis. Get Marbled! I was using eight watts. Another 8-watt game is Owlboy. Trilogy of Spyro Reignited and Sonic Forces, I both turned up to 15 watts because I had a few strange stutters that went away rather quickly. Right now, I've only exceeded that 15-watt threshold for heavy gaming and high-end emulation; otherwise, I would have preferred to keep it lower.

Experience

When it comes to the experience of using a device, you have two parts: the actual gameplay and everything else that surrounds it. On a summit handheld, you expect both sides of this coin to be pretty good. For the most part, they are! Steam Deck does hardware and software well, as does the Odin 2. The Loki, on the other hand, does not quite hit both marks.

As previously stated, the gameplay is excellent. Low battery life is every day for a device of this kind—an hour at maximum TDP and two to four hours (perhaps longer) at any lower TDP. However, the software is quite mediocre and disappointing for a product this costly. Everything is good in Loki Control Center. In addition to having reasonable control over TDP and RGB lights and the ability to change screen resolutions and frame rates on the fly, it opens when necessary.

Nevertheless, there is room for improvement in how the function buttons and Windows are used. The keyboard appears on the screen at odd locations when Loki brings it up. Windows asks me to join up for Microsoft 365 and other services, as it always does. You would have a generally good time if you intended to download your games and then shut down entirely. However, being online exposes you to the remaining software issues with the Loki Max. Although it's not bad, there is still room for development. Before switching to Windows, I would test something alternative, like ChimeraOS.

Wrap-Up

After all, you would expect a mobile device that works if you were going to spend a lot of money on it. You make plans for something significantly more capable than whatever you've had up to this point. And that's what a Loki Max will provide you. Despite its speed and power, it still has a lot of peculiarities and concerns. Although $750 (when it was released) is a lot, it is not ridiculous for a high-end gadget that can do anything you want. The price decreased to $550, which took too long to release. It is a pleasure to use overall and a fantastic item to hold and operate. I'll keep using it despite the problems I found, even though the operating system will be replaced.

I advise being cautious when navigating the portable market's peaks, hills, and avalanches. Although the view from the summit was impressive, getting there was tricky. Avoiding the best of the best or the top end is never something I advise. Being ready for all that comes with it is something I advise. The road to the top is not easy regarding your wallet or use.