The AYN Thor is one of the best fits for DroidDeck: the Base, Pro and Max models use a Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 with an Adreno 740, squarely inside the GPU class the project supports. The cheaper Thor Lite uses a Snapdragon 865 (Adreno 650), which DroidDeck treats as experimental.
Thor Base, Pro and Max
Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 · Adreno 740. The GPU class DroidDeck is built for. Results still vary by game.
Thor Lite
Snapdragon 865 · Adreno 650. DirectX 11 games may run through DXVK 2; DirectX 12 games can crash.
AYN Thor models at a glance
| Model | Chip / GPU | RAM | Storage | DroidDeck |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Thor Base | Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 Adreno 740 | 8 GB LPDDR5X | 128 GB | Supported GPU |
| Thor Pro | Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 Adreno 740 | 12 GB LPDDR5X | 256 GB | Supported GPU |
| Thor Max | Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 Adreno 740 | 16 GB LPDDR5X | 512 GB or 1 TB | Supported GPU |
| Thor Lite | Snapdragon 865 Adreno 650 | 8 GB LPDDR4X | 128 GB | Experimental |
Every model also has a microSD slot. AYN has changed prices and configurations since the Thor launched in October 2025, so check the official store for current pricing rather than relying on launch figures.
The hardware that matters for DroidDeck
- Main screen: 6-inch AMOLED, 1920 × 1080, 120 Hz. This is where Steam's Big Picture mode and your games run.
- Second screen: 3.92-inch AMOLED touchscreen, 1080 × 1240, 60 Hz.
- Cooling and battery: active cooling, a 6,000 mAh battery and 27 W charging. PC games through Proton push the chip hard, so the fan and the battery size both matter.
- Software: Android 13, which affects one setup step below.
- Video out: DisplayPort up to 4K at 60 Hz on the Base, Pro and Max (1080p on the Lite), useful for playing on a TV with a controller.
- Size: about 150 × 94 × 25.6 mm and 380 g.
Setting up DroidDeck on the Thor
The general steps are in our DroidDeck install guide. Three things are specific to the Thor:
- Use the "Fix it for me" button. The Thor runs Android 13. DroidDeck needs Android's child-process limit lifted, and on Android 12 and 13 the Disable child process restrictions toggle may not exist in Developer options. Start Steam from DroidDeck once; it shows a Fix it for me button that automates the change. If Steam still closes immediately, see troubleshooting.
- Plan your storage. The runtime takes about 3 GB and the optional desktop and emulators about 1.1 GB more. On a 128 GB Base or Lite, that leaves little room for PC games. Put a large microSD card in and add it as a Steam library; SD card libraries are supported since DroidDeck 0.3.2.
- Check the controls. HeldGames' DroidDeck guide reports that a handheld's built-in controls appear to Steam as a Steam Deck controller, including the Quick Access button and gyro, and that since 0.3.0 the second screen of a dual-screen handheld can act as the Deck's back grips and trackpads. That makes the Thor's lower screen genuinely useful in Steam games that expect back buttons or trackpads.
What Thor owners report so far
There is no published frame-rate testing of Steam games under DroidDeck on the Thor yet, and we have not tested it ourselves. What exists are early user reports:
- A Thor owner in a ResetEra thread said they had not noticed any performance difference between DroidDeck and GameNative, while another poster described DroidDeck as more plug-and-play.
- HeldGames notes that audio crackling has been reported on at least one AYN device, and some devices report no audio at all. If you hit this, report it with Share logs on the project's Discord.
- The project ships a new version every few days, so reports from a week ago may already be out of date. Our changelog tracks what changed.
Which Thor should you buy for DroidDeck?
- Skip the Lite if DroidDeck is a main reason for buying. Its Adreno 650 is experimental, and DirectX 12 games can crash.
- Thor Base has the same chip as the Pro and Max. It is enough for DroidDeck if you add a microSD card for games.
- Thor Pro or Max add RAM (12 or 16 GB) and storage. With PC games through Proton, the extra memory and room for several installed games are worth having.
If you are choosing between handhelds, the DroidDeck compatible devices page lists other options, including the AYN Odin 2 family, which uses the same Snapdragon 8 Gen 2.
AYN Thor questions
Does DroidDeck work on the AYN Thor?
The Base, Pro and Max models use the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 with an Adreno 740, which is in the GPU class the DroidDeck README supports. The Thor Lite uses a Snapdragon 865 with an Adreno 650, which is experimental.
Can DroidDeck use the Thor's second screen?
According to HeldGames' DroidDeck guide, since 0.3.0 the second screen of a dual-screen handheld can act as the Steam Deck's back grips and trackpads. Steam games themselves run on the main screen.
Which Android version does the Thor run, and does that matter?
The Thor ships with Android 13. On Android 12 and 13 the developer option DroidDeck needs may be missing, so use the Fix it for me button DroidDeck shows the first time Steam starts.
Is 128 GB enough?
Only just. DroidDeck needs about 3 GB for its runtime and 1.1 GB more for the desktop and emulators, and many PC games take tens of gigabytes. Add a microSD card: Steam libraries on an SD card are supported since DroidDeck 0.3.2.
Is DroidDeck better than GameNative on the Thor?
There is no published benchmark yet. One Thor owner on ResetEra reported no performance difference between the two. DroidDeck gives you Valve's own Steam client; see our DroidDeck vs GameNative comparison.
Sources
- DroidDeck README: GPU support rule, storage needs, Android 12 to 14 setup.
- RetroSpecGame: AYN Thor specs: models, screens, battery, Android version, size.
- HeldGames: DroidDeck on Android handhelds: controls, second screen, audio reports.
- ResetEra thread: Thor owner reports.