Over the past few days, there’s been quite the buzz about Ayaneo’s Flip series, leading many to assume the handhelds were getting axed for good. This was after a post related to their Ayaneo Flip Indiegogo campaign was taken down, sparking some panic. However, a fresh update from Ayaneo clears the air, reassuring fans that the Ayaneo Flip KB and Flip DS are sticking around, despite what the earlier message seemed to suggest.
To clear things up, the production of the current Ayaneo Flip series was indeed halted, but this decision came after 98% of the pre-orders from their crowdfunding campaign had already been fulfilled, leaving only 18 orders in limbo. Those 18 are eligible for refunds or trade-ins, as mentioned in previous reports.
Now, hold your horses—because the Ayaneo Flip series is not dead! Ayaneo has committed to rolling out a new batch of several hundred units within the next three months. This move reaffirms the continuation of the series, hinting at the potential release of Flip DS 2 and Flip KB 2 models down the line. Given the competition with foldable or slidable keyboard gaming handhelds, my two cents would be to hone in on the Flip DS design, but that’s just personal preference.
For those who were holding out for a retail release rather than jumping into crowdfunding, here’s some good news. Ayaneo plans a retail restock, though exact dates for when these will hit the shelves are still under wraps. But with all the excitement this campaign has stirred up, expect these units to fly off the shelves pretty swiftly once available.
Fingers crossed, there’ll be enough for the true gaming enthusiasts out there, without scalpers snagging them all. The Ayaneo Flip KB and especially the Flip DS stand out with their unique designs and robust performance, distinguishing them from other handhelds. It’s a relief to know they are getting another lease on life before potential successors emerge in the future.
However, those last 18 backers caught in the queue still have to make a call—either opt for a refund or swap it for another Ayaneo device, provided they decide by March 27. Ayaneo has reportedly reached out to these folks to sort things out. Let’s hope everything works smoothly for them.
