AYANEO is trying to innovate in the very tight market of portable consoles with a machine that is reminiscent of Nintendo’s 3DS.
Very active in the portable console market, the Chinese company AYANEO surprised the world a little by announcing the FLIP, a model in two variants whose main characteristic is the “flap”.
This particular design – and perhaps a little outdated – gives this console, presented for the first time last October, the air of Nintendo 3DS. Well, the Flip is officially launched.
Dual screen or integrated keyboard?
Rather than the FLIP, we should therefore say the FLIPs since AYANEO launched, at the same time, the two variants of its console. On one side, we find the FLIP DS (dual screen) with its double screen which makes it look even more like the late Nintendo machine.
On the other hand, there is a FLIP KB with KB for keyboard or keyboard in English. With the flap open, this variant reveals a keyboard like some other console models. Sure, the keyboard is a little cramped, but it should still be usable.
Apart from this major physical distinction, the FLIPs are identical with a choice of a Ryzen 7 7840U or a Ryzen 7 8840U processor at the heart of the machine and 16, 32 or 64 GB of RAM in addition to an SSD with the capacity is 512 GB or 2 TB. Surprisingly, no 1 TB version is planned.
Funding via Indiegogo
Whether DS or KB, the FLIP integrates the main screen on the “flap” part which opens and has an automatic locking system which blocks the screen at 120°, 150° or 180°.
A screen which unfortunately still does not include OLED technology, the Steam Deck remains alone in this niche. The panel is therefore an IPS model with a diagonal of 7 inches. The definition chosen is Full HD (1920 x 1080) with a refresh rate of 120 Hz maximum.
On either side of the second screen or the keyboard, we find the main controls arranged asymmetrically, like on an Xbox controller. AYANEO remains faithful to the hall effect sticks and highlights the presence of a more ergonomic grip than usual.
As usual, AYANEO uses the Indiegogo crowdfunding platform to organize a “first wave”. The consoles are already in production with deliveries planned for March. The Indiegogo campaign allows you to benefit from a reduced price.
The two machines follow a strictly identical price list with a starting price of $699, but which quickly rises to $799 for the “normal” price on Indiegogo and $899 for the “public” price. Note that this only applies to the 7840U + 16 GB + 512 GB version.
Source: AYANEO, Indiegogo
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