In recent days, there was quite a bit of confusion surrounding Ayaneo’s decision regarding their Flip handheld series, particularly after they deleted an announcement from their Indiegogo project page. Many jumped to the conclusion that the handhelds were being axed altogether. However, Ayaneo has now stepped in to clear up the misunderstanding: the Ayaneo Flip KB and Flip DS are still very much in the game.
Here’s the scoop. While the production of the initial Ayaneo Flip series was called off, it’s important to note that this decision came after they’d already shipped out 98% of the orders from their crowdfunding campaign, leaving only 18 units unshipped. Because of this, the options for refunds or trade-ins we mentioned earlier still stand for those still waiting.
But let’s get to the reassuring part: the Ayaneo Flip series isn’t going anywhere. Ayaneo has committed to rolling out “several hundred” more units over the next few months. They’ve hinted that future models, like the Flip DS 2 and Flip KB 2, could also be on the horizon. Given the growing popularity of foldable and slidable keyboard gaming handhelds, my personal view is that they might want to lean into the Flip DS style, but that’s just me.
This update is a breath of fresh air for folks interested in the Ayaneo Flip who preferred waiting for a standard retail release rather than joining the crowdfunding effort. A “limited restock plan” is in the works, even though there’s no definite date for when these units will hit the shelves. Given the buzz around the campaign, when they do become available, they’ll likely fly off the shelves in no time.
Let’s hope there are enough to satisfy true fans and that scalpers don’t spoil the fun. The Ayaneo Flip KB and Flip DS stand out in the handheld gaming market, thanks to their unique design and robust performance, and it’s exciting to think they’ll still get another moment in the spotlight before new versions roll out in the future.
That said, the 18 backers still waiting on their orders face a choice: opt for a refund or trade in for another Ayaneo handheld by March 27, unless there are changes we’re not aware of. Ayaneo has mentioned reaching out to these backers directly, so hopefully they’ll come to a satisfactory solution soon.
