Ayaneo Flip DS & KB Cancelled Mid-Production – Limited Units Available, No Further Releases Planned

Back in January of last year, Ayaneo launched a crowdfunding campaign for its innovative clamshell handhelds, the Ayaneo Flip series, powered by AMD Ryzen. The two models, Flip DS and Flip KB, quickly captured attention. The initial buzz surrounding the Flip DS gave us high hopes, but unexpectedly, the entire production has now been halted.

The journey of these devices seemed positive, especially with Ayaneo upgrading the internals from a ROG Ally Z1 Extreme-level AMD Ryzen 7 7840U to the even more powerful Ryzen 7 8840U. However, on February 25, Ayaneo dropped a bombshell. They declared they would cease production of the Flip series, giving backers only until March 27 to either claim a full refund or swap for another Ayaneo product, although some might have to pay the difference.

This sudden shutdown has left backers and fans dismayed, particularly those eagerly awaiting the end of the crowdfunding campaign. Many reviewers had already gotten their hands on Ayaneo Flip units, sparking excitement, and a few backers did receive their devices. It’s a letdown that Ayaneo, despite its strong track record with crowdfunding, wasn’t able to meet all the expectations. It’s a stark reminder that investing in a crowdfunded project is an investment, with no absolute guarantee of receiving the product.

Personally, I find this outcome rather saddening. As I mentioned in earlier reports, the Flip DS was shaping up to be a dream device for those seeking a modern alternative to the iconic Nintendo DS and 3DS.

Its dual-screen setup and robust internals capable of running Switch emulations and AAA PC games—with handy second-screen functionalities for multitasking or system tweaks—made the Ayaneo Flip DS a standout in the handheld gaming scene. This market then was largely saturated with options that seemed to say, “like the Steam Deck or ROG Ally, but pricier or less impressive,” aside from a rare few with outstanding controllers or displays.

Alas, some promising ventures are not destined to reach fruition. On the brighter side, this scarcity now elevates the existing Ayaneo Flip DS and Flip KB units, owned by YouTubers and select early backers, to the status of coveted collectibles. But beware, these rare finds will likely demand a hefty sum if you wish to add one to your collection.