Ayn Odin 3 Faces Third Price Hike Due to Rising Component Costs

Portable console maker Ayn has announced that all three models of the Ayn Odin 3 are increasing in price by $20, effective September 1. This adjustment marks the third price hike for the device since March, pushing the handheld into territory traditionally occupied by PC-based competitors like the Steam Deck.

According to an update shared on the Ayn Discord by public relations representative Nicole, the company is raising prices in response to recent increases in Qualcomm chipset and DRAM/UFS costs. These component cost pressures were previously noted by Retroid in July.

Following the adjustment, the Odin Base model will increase from $349 to $369, placing it just $30 below the original Steam Deck price point. Meanwhile, the Pro model will rise from $449 to $469, and the high-end Max version will jump from $499 to $529. Ayn stated that it attempted to keep the adjustments as minimal as possible while absorbing a portion of the increased expenses. The manufacturer also confirmed that orders placed prior to September 1 will honor current pricing.

The price increases highlight broader manufacturing and component cost trends affecting handheld gaming devices, driven in part by high-end component demands. While alternative options like the Anbernic RG Cube or RG28XX remain available at lower price points for retro titles, high-end retro handhelds targeting systems like the PS2 are facing notably higher price tags this year.