Ayaneo’s first Android phone looks like a return of the Xperia Play

Retro gaming handheld manufacturer Ayaneo has finally revealed the design of its first Android phone, which has been teased since August. Fittingly, it too is a throwback — to 2011’s Sony Ericcson Xperia Play.

The Pocket Play has a screen that slides up to reveal a full set of inset physical controls, including a D-pad, ABXY fact buttons, and two circular touch pads. There are twin sets of shoulder buttons round the back of the phone too, though no sign of a 3.5mm headphone jack.

Unfortunately, that’s all we know. The Pocket Play is only confirmed to launch “soon,” and the Kickstarter campaign page doesn’t reveal a single spec.

It’s actually the second Xperia Play homage we’ve seen this year, following Anbernic’s RG Slide. The Pocket Play looks substantially sleeker than the RG Slide, and should be capable of replacing your phone, rather than only playing games — we expect it to cost substantially more than the Slide’s $189 price tag though.