After a flurry of speculation and widespread reports, Ayaneo pulled an announcement post off its Ayaneo Flip Indiegogo project page. This led many to assume that the handhelds were being scrapped altogether. However, a new update has cleared the air, confirming that the Ayaneo Flip KB and Flip DS are still in play, contrary to the impression given by the initial wording.
Ayaneo explained that while production for the Flip series was indeed stopped, it happened after fulfilling a massive 98% of its crowdfunding commitments, leaving only 18 orders unshipped. Therefore, they offered the options for refunds or trade-ins, as we discussed in previous updates.
Crucially, the Ayaneo Flip series continues to live on. Ayaneo has committed to rolling out an additional batch of “several hundred Ayaneo Flip units within the next three months.” They also hinted at the continuation of the series, paving the way for potential future models like the Flip DS 2 and Flip KB 2. With various innovative foldable or slide-out keyboard gaming devices already available, focusing on the Flip DS format seems like a logical step—just my two cents, though.
This news comes as a relief for fans who were eyeing the Ayaneo Flip handhelds but opted to wait for a retail release instead of jumping on the crowdfunding wagon. Fortunately, a retail release is indeed on the horizon through what they’re calling a “limited restock plan.” Still, we’re waiting for an exact release date for these restocked units. Given the buzz this campaign generated, it wouldn’t be surprising if they flew off the shelves the moment they became available.
Let’s hope there will be enough units for true fans and that opportunistic scalpers don’t spoil the day. The Ayaneo Flip KB and particularly the Flip DS are remarkable with their unique form factors and impressive tech specs. Their comeback is definitely something enthusiasts would be happy to witness, especially before their successors hit the scene a few years down the line.
On a less bright note, those 18 supporters who haven’t received their devices yet will need to decide between a refund or exchanging for another Ayaneo handheld, at least by March 27, assuming previous instructions still hold. Ayaneo has assured they’ve reached out to those affected individuals.
