Recently, there has been a whirlwind of updates about Ayaneo and their Flip Indiegogo project. Initially, it seemed as though Ayaneo had decided to halt production of their Flip gaming handhelds entirely. They even took down an announcement post which led many to believe the worst. However, a fresh statement has cleared up the confusion, confirming that the Flip KB and Flip DS models are not being axed.
What actually happened is that Ayaneo stopped production after fulfilling nearly all the crowdfunding orders—98% to be precise—with only 18 left to ship. These unshipped orders qualify for refunds or trade-ins, as previously detailed in our reports.
More interestingly, Ayaneo assured everyone that the Flip series isn’t dead. They’re gearing up to roll out “several hundred” new Flip units over the next three months. This move indicates a commitment to continue the series, potentially leading to future models like the Flip DS 2 and Flip KB 2. Given the market’s interest in unique gaming handhelds, focusing on the Flip DS design could be a strategic advantage, though that’s just my perspective.
This update is good news for anyone interested in the Ayaneo Flip but waiting to purchase it without the uncertainties of crowdfunding. A retail release is on the horizon, supposedly through a “limited restock plan.” However, an exact release date for these restocked units remains under wraps. Given the high interest, I wouldn’t be surprised if these units sell out quickly once available.
Let’s hope there are enough units to go around and that resellers don’t spoil the experience for genuine fans. The Flip KB and Flip DS offer something quite unique with their distinctive design and robust performance. It’s encouraging to know they’ll be available again before potentially seeing new iterations in the future.
Nonetheless, those 18 backers still waiting on their consoles face a deadline. They need to decide on a refund or a trade-in for another Ayaneo device by March 27, assuming the terms haven’t changed. Ayaneo has reportedly reached out to those affected to sort things out.
