This could be the most interesting phone of 2026 – and it's not coming from Apple, Samsung or Google

With Apple set to release its first foldable iPhone and Samsung reportedly toying with new foldable form factors, 2026 could be an intriguing year for mobile devices. We also don't yet know what the likes of Nothing, Google and Huawei could have up their sleeves.

However, the year's most innovative and interesting phone might not come from any of those big names. It might, in fact, be from a manufacturer better know for its retro gaming handhelds.

Ayaneo has carved a name for itself in the gaming handheld scene, for making arguable the most premium devices on the market. They're usually at the pricier end, but often stand head and shoulders above rivals when it comes to build quality.

Among them are some great Android models – including the Ayaneo Pocket Evo and Konkr Pocket Fit, which both run on Google's operating system and Snapdragon processing.

Now it's using that expertise to move into smartphones for the first time, and it's first device looks very promising.

Designed as a gaming phone primarily, the Ayaneo Pocket Play is a handset with a full controller that slides out from the bottom (when held horizontally). You might recognise the form factor, as it's very reminiscent of the 2011 Sony Ericsson Xperia Play – it even borrows the name.

You get a fully working D-pad and A, B, X, Y buttons, plus a couple of touchpads that give you thumbstick-style controls.

There are trigger buttons too, which other gaming phones also offer (like the recent RedMagic 11 Pro) .

The screen features a 6.8-inch OLED display with a 2400 x 1080 resolution and 165Hz refresh rate. There's no notch or punch-hole for a front facing camera, so you get a full gaming experience, although Ayaneo is yet to reveal the camera system it'll use. So we don't know whether there is an under-display front camera (like the RedMagic 11 Pro).

We also don't yet know which CPU will drive the handset, although Ayaneo often prefers the gaming centric Snapdragon G3 range in its other devices. There is a Konkr Pocket Fit that runs on the Snapdragon 8 Elite processor though, so maybe that could be a candidate.

One thing's for sure, the brand's heritage should ensure the Pocket Play will be a powerhouse for gaming. We'll also update you when we know more about the specifications, pricing and release date.

It's likely it'll be made available on pre-order on Indiegogo early next year (as is traditional with Ayaneo's other products), so we should be able to let you know more soon.