Ayaneo Flip DS & KB Faced Mid-Production Cancellation — Limited Units Available, No Further Production Planned

In the early part of last year, Ayaneo caught the gaming community’s attention when they launched a crowdfunding campaign for their innovative Ayaneo Flip handhelds—both the Flip DS and Flip KB—powered by AMD Ryzen. Just a month into the campaign, we shared our initial thoughts on the Flip DS. However, in an unexpected twist, the full production of this device has been completely halted.

The lead-up to this news had been filled with optimism. Updates flowed in regarding enhancements to the device’s internals, upgrading from the ROG Ally Z1 Extreme-equivalent AMD Ryzen 7 7840U to the more powerful Ryzen 7 8840U. But, on February 25, Ayaneo dropped a bombshell: production on the Ayaneo Flip handhelds was being shut down. Backers were given until March 27 to either claim a full refund or swap their pledge for another Ayaneo device, though they might need to dig into their pockets to cover any price differences.

This development is a letdown for backers and those who were eagerly anticipating the device post-crowdfunding. While some outlets have managed to get review units and a few backers received their handhelds, Ayaneo seems unable to fulfill all the expectations set by their crowdfunding supporters. Typically, Ayaneo is known for successful crowdfunding campaigns, but this serves as a stark reminder of the inherent risk—you’re investing rather than purchasing a guaranteed product.

It’s a bitter pill to swallow. Earlier reviews painted the Flip DS as a dream machine, potentially stepping into the shoes of a modern-day successor to beloved consoles like Nintendo DS and 3DS.

With its distinctive dual-screen design and robust internals capable of emulating the Nintendo Switch and seamless running of AAA PC games, the Ayaneo Flip DS promised a unique position in the handheld gaming market. At a time when many seemed like variations of the “Steam Deck or ROG Ally but pricier or inferior,” the Flip stood out, especially for its controller and display features.

Alas, not all promising projects see the finish line. There’s a bittersweet aspect now, though, as this situation turns the limited number of Ayaneo Flip DS and Flip KB units in circulation into hot collector’s items. If you’re lucky enough to find one, be ready to part with a pretty penny—this rarity has certainly escalated their worth.