Recently, after several reports stirred up some confusion, Ayaneo has removed an announcement on its Ayaneo Flip Indiegogo project page. Many assumed this move meant the handhelds were being axed for good. However, a follow-up message from Ayaneo has brought some clarity: the Ayaneo Flip KB and Flip DS are not being scrapped, despite how the initial announcement might have sounded.
So, here’s what really happened. Yes, the production for the Ayaneo Flip series was indeed halted, but not before a whopping 98% of the crowdfunding orders were shipped out. Just 18 orders remain in the queue. Because of this, buyers are eligible for refunding or trade-in options, as mentioned in our earlier reports.
Moreover, Ayaneo emphasized that while current production plans are paused, the Flip series is alive and well. They plan to churn out “several hundred” more units over the next few months, and they even hinted at the potential for successors like the Flip DS 2 and Flip KB 2. Given the competition from other handhelds that either fold or come with sliding keyboards, my two cents is that concentrating on the Flip DS design would be a smart move.
This is exciting news for those who intended to hold off until an official retail release rather than dive into crowdfunding. It looks like the limited restock is part of an upcoming retail strategy, though exact dates for when these Ayaneo Flip units will hit store shelves are still under wraps. Considering the buzz around these devices, they might fly off the shelves when they finally become available.
The hope is that these unique devices make it into the hands of true gaming fans and not into those of scalpers. With the Flip KB and especially the Flip DS offering a fresh take on gaming handhelds combined with robust internal specs, it’s great to see them getting another shot before their next iterations make a splash.
For those 18 backers still left hanging, there’s a choice to be made between a refund or trading up for another Ayaneo handheld. This needs to happen before March 27, assuming the previous terms still stand. Ayaneo has reached out to those affected to sort things out.
In summary, while the journey of the Ayaneo Flip series has seen some bumps, the road ahead looks promising for both current and future fans.
