Oct 27, 2025

Ayn Thor Dual‑Screen Handheld Review – The Modern DS Reimagined

Introduction

The handheld gaming market has seen a surge of experimental devices, but few have managed to capture the nostalgia of classic dual‑screen consoles while delivering modern performance. The AYN Thor does exactly that, offering a sleek, dual‑screen AMOLED handheld that feels like a contemporary reinterpretation of the original Nintendo DS. This first‑look review explores the Thor’s design, hardware specifications, software experience, and real‑world performance—especially in the realm of emulation.

Design and Build Quality

AYN has taken a minimalist approach with the Thor, preserving the iconic DS layout: a larger screen on top and a smaller screen below. Both displays are protected by thin bezels, giving the device a premium look.

Form factor: Lightweight at 380 g, the Thor sits comfortably in hand for extended sessions.
Materials: A matte polycarbonate shell with a subtle gloss finish; the rear grip accessory adds ergonomics without feeling bulky.
Controls: Standard DS‑style buttons plus a pair of analog sticks, hall‑effect sensors for smooth input, and linear triggers on the back for racing games. The D‑pad mirrors the feel of the Retroid Pocket 5, offering crisp directional input.
RGB lighting surrounds the analog sticks and is fully customizable—or can be disabled for a pure retro aesthetic.
Audio: Front‑firing dual stereo speakers deliver clear sound, while independent volume controls let you balance audio between the two screens.

Overall, the Thor feels solid, balanced, and visually appealing, making it one of the most attractive handhelds in its segment.

Hardware Specifications

AYN offers three configurations—Light, Pro, and Max—each scaling RAM, storage, and CPU power. The reviewer’s unit is the Thor Pro, which provides a sweet spot between price and performance.

Processor: Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 octa‑core (up to 3.2 GHz prime core)
GPU: Adreno 740 (up to 680 MHz)
RAM: 12 GB LPDDR5 (Light version ships with 8 GB)
Storage: 256 GB UFS 4.0 (expandable via micro‑SD)
Displays:
- Top screen: 6.0” AMOLED, 1920×1080, 120 Hz refresh rate
- Bottom screen: 3.92” AMOLED, 1240×1080, 60 Hz refresh rate
Battery: 6000 mAh with 27 W fast charging via USB‑C
Connectivity: Wi‑Fi 7, Bluetooth 5.3, USB‑C Alt Mode (4K @ 60 Hz video output)
OS: Android 13, optimized for handheld gaming

All models feature the same dual‑screen layout, but the Pro and Max variants benefit from the newer Snapdragon and higher RAM, which is crucial for demanding emulators.

Software Experience and User Interface

The Thor runs a custom Android skin tailored for handheld use. The bottom screen serves as a control hub, allowing you to adjust system settings without interrupting gameplay on the top display.

Key UI features include:

Dual‑screen brightness control – synchronize or set individual brightness levels.
Independent volume sliders – fine‑tune audio for each screen, useful when running a game and a video simultaneously.
On‑screen performance overlay – displays FPS, CPU/GPU temperature, fan speed, and resource usage in real time.
Performance presets – switch between power‑saving and high‑performance modes; the reviewer prefers the performance preset for emulation.
Controller layout switching – toggle between standard, Japanese, or Xbox button mapping.
RGB customization – adjust lighting effects directly from the UI.
Memory cleaning – clear cached RAM with a single tap.

The interface is intuitive, responsive, and fully accessible from the bottom screen, keeping the top screen dedicated to the active application.

Gaming and Emulation Performance

Given its Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chipset, the Thor handles a wide range of emulators with ease. Below are representative performance results in the reviewer’s performance mode:

PSP: Stable up to 6× internal resolution scaling.
Nintendo 3DS (Citra/Azar): Ultra Sun and Dragon Quest run at 4× resolution, 30 fps; Super Mario 3D Land at 4×, 60 fps.
Wii U (Cemu/SimU): Mario Kart 8 at 1080p 60 fps; Bayonetta at 1080p 60 fps; The Legend of Zelda: Wind Waker at native 30 fps upscaled to 1080p.
Wii and GameCube (Dolphin): Most titles run at 2× scaling, some at 3×, with smooth frame rates.
PS2 (Play! 2): Acceptable performance at 2× scaling for many titles.

Dual‑screen emulation works seamlessly. For DS‑based emulators like MelonDS (development build) and Citra, the bottom screen is recognized as an external display, allowing you to configure aspect ratios and scaling independently.

The combination of high refresh rates (up to 120 Hz on the top screen) and robust GPU performance makes the Thor a compelling portable emulator for both retro and more recent console libraries.

Accessories and Expandability

The Thor ships with a sturdy USB‑C cable and optional rear‑grip module, which adds ergonomic handles for longer play sessions. While not essential, the grip can improve comfort for users with larger hands.

Additional accessories include:

Protective cases and screen protectors
Bluetooth controllers for multiplayer or alternative input schemes
External docks for TV output via USB‑C Alt Mode

All accessories are sold directly through AYN’s website and are designed to complement the handheld’s sleek aesthetic.

Verdict

The AYN Thor successfully merges nostalgic dual‑screen design with cutting‑edge hardware. Its AMOLED displays, lightweight chassis, and thoughtful software integration set a new benchmark for handheld emulation devices. While the base model with Snapdragon 865 is adequate for lighter workloads, the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 Pro (or Max) variant is the clear choice for users who demand smooth performance across demanding emulators and higher resolution scaling.

In summary, the Thor stands out as:

A visually striking, well‑balanced handheld
Equipped with powerful internals capable of handling modern emulation tasks
Featuring a polished, dual‑screen‑centric UI that maximizes usability

For enthusiasts seeking a modern DS‑style device that doesn’t compromise on performance, the AYN Thor represents a compelling, premium option.