Early last year, the tech enthusiasts at Ayaneo captured our attention by launching a crowdfunding campaign for their innovative clamshell handhelds, the Ayaneo Flip models—Flip DS and Flip KB, both fueled by AMD Ryzen. Just a month into the campaign, I remember sharing our initial thoughts on the Flip DS, only to find out recently that its production has hit an unexpected dead end.
Initially, things looked promising. Ayaneo kept enhancing the device, upgrading from an ROG Ally Z1 Extreme-like AMD Ryzen 7 7840U to the beefier Ryzen 7 8840U. Yet, come February 25th this year, the company dropped a bombshell—production of the Ayaneo Flip handhelds would cease entirely. They informed backers that they had until March 27 to either request a refund or opt for a trade in another Ayaneo device, though this might mean paying the difference in cost.
This sudden turn of events is a letdown for backers and fans eager to experience this handheld. Given that a number of outlets already reviewed the Flip units and some backers did receive their devices, Ayaneo’s inability to meet the full demand is regrettable. Typically, Ayaneo excels in crowdfunding campaigns, but this situation is a stark reminder of the innate risks. Crowdfunding is an investment, not a guaranteed purchase.
I find myself lamenting this outcome. The Flip DS held so much potential—it seemed poised to be the next-gen successor to beloved classics like the Nintendo DS and 3DS.
With its dual-screen setup, it was packed with enough power to emulate the Nintendo Switch and handle demanding AAA PC games, offering second-screen multitasking and system tweaking capabilities. It was a unique entry into the handheld market, which has been otherwise dominated by “Steam Deck or ROG Ally but more expensive and/or worse” clones, save for a few with standout features.
Sadly, some dreams don’t materialize. On a brighter note, the existing Ayaneo Flip DS and Flip KB units in the hands of early reviewers and lucky backers now hold the allure of rare collectibles. But if you’re itching to snag one, brace yourself for a hefty price tag, as they are now limited editions.
