Price Hikes on Popular Android Handhelds Reflect Rising Gaming Costs

The AYN Thor and AYN Odin 3, two beloved handheld gaming devices favored by retro and indie game enthusiasts, are set to see price hikes later this month. This marks the second price increase for the AYN Thor in under three months, highlighting the ongoing challenges in the tech industry due to persistent memory shortages.

On June 8, an AYN representative shared news in the brand’s Discord server that the next round of pre-orders for the AYN Thor and Odin 3 was open. However, they also delivered some disappointing news: another price increase is on the horizon.

“We wanted to give everyone an early heads-up that we’re planning a price increase for both Thor and Odin 3 later this month,” said AYN’s Nicole. “The new pricing will take effect once the current inventory allocation is sold out, so if you’ve been considering a purchase, now is a great time to place your order.”

While the exact amount of the price increase remains unknown, past trends may offer some insight.

In April, AYN raised the price of the 1TB AYN Thor dual-screen handheld by $100, increasing it from $450 to $550. It’s reasonable to anticipate a similar increase of around $100 or more this month, as companies continue to face difficulties in securing RAM and other components due to shortages exacerbated by AI hyperscalers hoarding inventory. Recently, Valve also raised the price of the Steam Deck, another popular handheld device, by over $200.

The situation is likely to worsen, so if there’s a gaming device you’ve been eyeing and the price seems fair, it’s wise to grab it now before a significant price increase hits in the coming weeks or months.