Ayaneo Flip DS & KB Production Halted: Limited Units Available, No Further Stock Expected

Back in January last year, Ayaneo embarked on a crowdfunding journey for its exciting new clamshell handheld designs known as the Ayaneo Flip DS and Flip KB, both powered by AMD Ryzen. Fast forward a month, and we had the chance to share our initial thoughts on the Flip DS, largely positive impressions at that. But in a sudden twist, the production of this device has been unexpectedly halted.

What makes this even more surprising is that the updates over time had been promising. Initially featuring the AMD Ryzen 7 7840U, similar to the ROG Ally Z1 Extreme, the Flip was set to eventually sport the more powerful Ryzen 7 8840U. However, Ayaneo abruptly announced on February 25 this year that they were ceasing any further production. They’ve given backers until March 27 to either request a full refund or to swap their pledge for another Ayaneo handheld. It’s worth noting, though, that trading up or down may still require an additional outlay if there’s a price difference.

This news has certainly dashed the hopes of many backers and gaming aficionados eager to get their hands on the Flip after its crowdfunding phase. It’s rather unfortunate, especially considering that several reviews of the device have already been published and a handful of backers still managed to receive their units. Typically, Ayaneo has a commendable track record with its crowdfunding projects. However, this incident serves as a stark reminder of the inherent risks involved in crowdfunding: backing a project is more of an investment gamble than a guaranteed purchase.

It’s hard not to feel a sense of disappointment over this outcome. We previously expressed optimism about the Flip DS, envisioning it as an ideal candidate for those seeking a modern-day successor to the Nintendo DS and 3DS.

With its dual-screen setup and robust internals capable of emulating the Nintendo Switch while running AAA PC titles, complete with second-screen functionality for multitasking or tweaking settings in real-time, the Ayaneo Flip DS stood out in the handheld landscape. This was a market that, at the time, predominantly offered “Steam Deck or ROG Ally replicas that were pricier or performed worse,” aside from a select few with standout controls or displays.

Sadly, not everything that shines turns to gold. The silver lining here, though, is that the existing Ayaneo Flip DS and Flip KB units, which are now in the hands of YouTube reviewers and a few early backers, have transformed into sought-after collector’s items. But be forewarned, snagging one is likely to put quite a dent in your wallet since no additional units will be released.