The Xperia Play might be back as Ayaneo teases gaming slider phone with physical controls [Video]

Ben Schoon | Nov 3 2025 - 6:45 am PT

Slider phones are a core memory for many, between the classic QWERTY phones of the early 2000’s to Sony’s iconic Xperia Play phone that packed a physical game controller inside of a phone. Now, that form factor is seemingly making a comeback as Ayaneo is teasing its first gaming phone.

Gaming phones in themselves have become relatively commonplace in recent years, with the Android-powered devices often focusing in on hardware designs that improve performance through active cooling, as well as offering larger batteries, faster display refresh rates, and limited physical controls in some cases.

Still, no one has replicated Sony’s idea for a gaming phone from back in 2011 – yes, that phone came out nearly 15 years ago.

Ayaneo seems to be on the case.

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In a vague teaser posted to YouTube, Ayaneo says that its “first mobile phone” is coming soon. The device is teased as “when mobile phone meets handheld soul.” Branding for “Remake” suggests a focus on remakes of classic-style video games.

A clear view of the device in the teaser video shows that it definitely has physical triggers of some kind, but hides any further enhancements.

But it’s clear this is a slider phone akin to the Xperia Play through further teaser images. Prior teasers for this device that surfaced earlier this year directly reference the form factor, saying “the magic lies in the slide.” Android Central picked up on that announcement previously.

While there are still a lot of questions here, it’s pretty clear that Ayaneo has something special in the works. As for when it might release, there’s no specific word just yet.