Recently, there’s been a whirlwind of news around Ayaneo, especially concerning their Flip series of handhelds. Many of us were under the impression that they were pulling the plug entirely after an announcement vanished from the Ayaneo Flip Indiegogo page. But hold on—Ayaneo has come forward to clear things up. They confirmed that they’re not completely shelving the Ayaneo Flip KB and Flip DS models, despite what the initial wording led many to believe.
Here’s the lowdown: Ayaneo did halt the production of the Flip series, but almost all orders—98%—had already been shipped, with just a mere 18 orders left hanging. This allowed the devices to be eligible for the refund or trade-in routes we previously discussed.
Now, let’s delve into the juicy details. The Flip series isn’t getting the axe. Ayaneo is gearing up to produce a few hundred more units over the next quarter. Plus, they teased more to come with potential future models like the Flip DS 2 and Flip KB 2. Given the trend of foldable gaming handhelds, there might be wisdom in zeroing in on the Flip DS style—a move I personally advocate for.
If you’re one of those who decided to skip the crowdfunding hassle and wait for a retail launch, you might be in luck. Ayaneo is rolling out a “limited restock plan,” though we’re still in the dark about the exact date when these will hit the shelves. Judging by the clamor, these restocked units could fly off the shelves the moment they’re available.
One can only hope there’s enough stock for genuine fans and that scalpers don’t spoil the fun. The Ayaneo Flip KB and Flip DS have a unique design and pack some serious power, making them stand out among handheld gaming devices. Seeing them get another shot before newer models come around is definitely encouraging.
As for the 18 backers still awaiting their units, they’ll need to decide between opting for a refund or trading in for another Ayaneo device before March 27, if prior terms stand. Ayaneo assures that they’ve reached out to those affected fans directly.
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