In recent days, several reports have surfaced, causing quite a stir around Ayaneo’s latest developments. Initially, an announcement on the Ayaneo Flip Indiegogo page suggested that the handheld devices were heading toward discontinuation, leading to a fair bit of confusion. However, Ayaneo has since clarified that this isn’t the case for the Flip KB and Flip DS models.
Let’s unravel what truly happened. Although production of the Ayaneo Flip series was indeed halted, it only came after the vast majority—98%—of its crowdfunding orders had already been fulfilled, leaving just 18 orders pending. This scenario opened the door for those few remaining customers to opt for refunds or trade-ins, as we had previously highlighted.
Importantly, the Ayaneo Flip series is not being shelved. The company has committed to manufacturing several hundred more Flip units within the next three months. They’ve hinted that the Flip series will continue to evolve, with potential new versions like the Flip DS 2 and Flip KB 2 potentially on the horizon. Given the competition from other foldable or slidable keyboard gaming handhelds, focusing on perfecting the Flip DS model could offer Ayaneo a distinct edge—though that’s more my personal take.
This is undoubtedly good news for fans who might have been waiting for a broader retail launch instead of jumping on the crowdfunding wagon. A limited restock seems to be in the cards, although specific dates for the availability of these Ayaneo Flip units remain under wraps. Given the buzz around this campaign, don’t be surprised if they fly off the shelves once they’re up for grabs.
Fingers crossed, enough units find their way to true gaming enthusiasts, preventing scalpers from spoiling the excitement. The Ayaneo Flip KB and Flip DS models are particularly noteworthy for their unique design and robust performance, standing out in a crowded handheld gaming market. It’s promising to see them getting a second chance and paving the way for their eventual successors.
However, for those 18 backers still waiting, decisions await on whether to take a refund or apply their investment toward another Ayaneo device. This situation needs to be resolved by March 27, assuming the previous guidelines still hold. Ayaneo assures that they are reaching out directly to those affected backers.
