Ayaneo Flip DS & KB Production Halted: Limited Units Available, No Further Releases Planned

Back in January of last year, Ayaneo kicked off a crowdfunding campaign for its innovative clamshell handhelds, the Ayaneo Flip DS and Flip KB, both powered by AMD Ryzen. Shortly after, we shared our initial thoughts on the Flip DS, which seemed promising. However, in a surprising twist, Ayaneo decided to halt the production of these devices entirely.

Despite a series of positive updates and enhancements, including upgrading from the ROG Ally Z1 Extreme-equivalent AMD Ryzen 7 7840U to the more advanced Ryzen 7 8840U, everything came to a standstill on February 25. This was when Ayaneo announced that not only would it no longer produce any more Flip handhelds, but that backers needed to decide by March 27 whether to request a full refund or opt for a product trade. Interestingly, if they chose a swap, they’d have to cover any difference in price.

This sudden turn of events has left many backers and fans disappointed. With several units sent out for reviews and some backers reportedly receiving their handhelds, it’s a shame Ayaneo couldn’t fulfill the crowdfunding ambitions entirely. They typically manage these ventures well, but this incident serves as a reminder of the inherent risks involved in crowdfunding—it’s more investment than guaranteed purchase.

It’s hard not to feel a sense of loss over this. In earlier reviews, the Flip DS showed so much promise, especially for those yearning for a modern counterpart to the beloved Nintendo DS and 3DS systems.

It wasn’t just the Flip DS’s dual-screen setup that was impressive; its robust hardware also meant it could emulate the Nintendo Switch and support AAA PC games. It was a unique proposition in a market crowded with devices that often boiled down to being slightly pricier or less appealing alternatives to the Steam Deck or ROG Ally, except for a few with standout features.

Sadly, sometimes innovative ideas don’t pan out. On a brighter note, the few Ayaneo Flip DS and Flip KB models that did make it to users have quickly become coveted collector’s items. But be prepared to pay a hefty sum if you’re hoping to snag one, given their newfound rarity.