In the beginning of last year, Ayaneo grabbed attention by launching a crowdfunding campaign for its two distinct clamshell handheld designs, the Ayaneo Flip DS and Flip KB, both powered by AMD Ryzen. I shared some initial thoughts on the Flip DS within a month of its launch, but in an unexpected twist, full production of the device has come to a sudden halt.
Initially, the feedback and updates about the device were quite encouraging. The internals, for instance, were upgraded from the equivalently powerful ROG Ally Z1 Extreme AMD Ryzen 7 7840U to the Ryzen 7 8840U. But on February 25 this year, Ayaneo announced they would no longer produce any more Ayaneo Flip handhelds. They also informed current backers that they have until March 27 to either request a full refund or opt for a product trade with another Ayaneo device, which might require additional funds to cover any price differences.
This has left many supporters and gaming enthusiasts understandably disappointed. They had been eager to experience the gadget once the crowdfunding phase wrapped up. Considering numerous reviews from various outlets and the fact that some backers seem to have received theirs, it’s disappointing that Ayaneo couldn’t meet the full demand. Ayaneo is usually reliable with its crowdfunding projects, but this serves as a reminder that supporting such ventures is more of an investment gamble rather than a straightforward purchase with guaranteed delivery.
It’s hard not to lament this unfortunate development. Earlier, I mentioned how the Flip DS, in particular, had the potential to be a fantastic successor to the Nintendo DS and 3DS for modern gamers.
With its dual-screen design and robust internals capable of emulating a Nintendo Switch and running high-end PC games—while also offering second-screen functionality for multitasking or system tweaking—the Ayaneo Flip DS was poised to stand out in the competitive handheld gaming space. At the time, this market was predominantly filled with options echoing the “Steam Deck or ROG Ally” experience, albeit often more costly or lacking quality, except for a few that boasted exceptional controls or display technology.
Sadly, not all innovative ideas make it to the finish line. However, there’s a silver lining for collectors: the existing Ayaneo Flip DS and Flip KB units, found in the possession of YouTube reviewers and early backers, have become rare collectibles. But be prepared to pay a premium if you’re keen on owning one, as they’ll likely become quite pricey with no more being produced.
