The Ayn Odin 3 can't catch a break, as it's facing its third price hike since March this year. Not only will the base handheld now set you back just $30 less than the original Steam Deck, but the Max version now costs over $500.
Pricing is what helps contenders like the Ayn Odin 3 maintain their reign within specific best gaming handheld categories. However, the portable console maker has announced that all three of its models are increasing by $20 as of September 1. The gadget was already one of the pricier retro handhelds out there, but with prices about to start at $369, it feels like it has entered handheld PC territory.
In an unfortunate Ayn Discord update, the handheld maker's PR, Nicole, outlines price hikes for the Odin Base, Pro, and Max models. According to the post, the company is increasing prices in response to a "recent increase in Qualcomm chipset and DRAM/UFS costs", which were previously alluded to by Retroid back in July.
Specifically, the Odin Base will increase from $349 to $369, the Pro from $449 to $469, and the Max will jump from $499 to $529. Ayn says, "We've done our best to keep the adjustment as small as possible while absorbing part of the increased cost ourselves," while also advising, "If you've been planning to pick up an Odin 3, orders placed before September 1 will still receive the current pricing."
I can't help but feel like Valve's Steam Deck OLED MSRP increase has opened a Pandora's box of pricing pain for handhelds.
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