Ayaneo Flip 1S DS Review: A Dual-Screen Handheld That Feels Illegal

Ayaneo Flip 1S DS: A Unique Dual-Screen Handheld

• 💡 The Ayaneo Flip 1S DS is a dual-screen Windows gaming handheld PC, featuring a design reminiscent of older Nintendo DS models.
• 🚀 It's powered by an AMD Ryzen AI 9 HX 370 processor with integrated Radeon 890M graphics, 64GB of RAM, and a 1TB SSD.
• 🎨 The device comes in a 'retro power' colorway and boasts a strong build quality, characteristic of Ayaneo products.

Display and Ergonomics

• 🌟 The upper screen is a 7-inch 1080p OLED display capable of 144Hz, while the lower screen is a 4.5-inch 3:2 aspect ratio LCD at 1620x1080.
• ⚠️ Both screens are touch-enabled but were noted to be slightly miscalibrated out of the box, causing initial setup difficulties.
• 💨 Air intake holes are present on the back, and the fans are powerful, expelling hot air from the top during intense gaming sessions.
• 🕹️ It includes standard face buttons, a D-pad, bumpers, triggers, and recessed thumbsticks, along with a unique optical sensor mouse that functions as a mini trackpad.

Software and User Experience Issues

• 🧩 The Ayaneo Ipace software can sometimes interfere with Windows 11 and game performance, particularly when switching resolutions or with specific game launchers like CD Project Red's.
• 🖱️ Touchscreen calibration issues made typing difficult without external peripherals, and the bottom screen's pseudo-trackpad function was prone to cursor instability.
• ✋ Ergonomics could be improved, with a less-than-ideal placement of the right thumbstick requiring an awkward hand position for full range of motion.

Performance and Gaming Capabilities

• 📊 The device features a smart TDP power delivery mode that dynamically adjusts wattage based on task intensity, saving battery and optimizing performance.
• 🎮 Benchmarks show strong performance for its size, with games like Far Cry 6 running at 1080p low at an average of 55 FPS, and 720p medium achieving over 60 FPS.
• 🚀 Cyberpunk and The Witcher 3 were playable at 720p, though issues with game launchers were noted. Expedition 33 and Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth also showed decent performance at lower resolutions.
• 🕹️ Older games like Oblivion run exceptionally well, and even demanding titles like Valorant can achieve very high frame rates.
• 🔋 Battery life was tested at 37 minutes of continuous gameplay with Far Cry 6 at 720p low on the Smart TDP profile with an uncapped frame rate.

Dual-Screen Gaming and Value Proposition

• 🎮 The second screen is utilized for various functions, including system monitoring, performance adjustments, quick access to apps, and importantly, dual-screen gaming.
• 👾 For dual-screen gaming, users need to run games in independent windows and can use the 'smart dual screen' function to move the bottom window to the lower display.
• 💰 Despite its capabilities, the $1,600 price point is considered very high, making it a difficult purchase decision compared to more affordable options like the Steam Deck or even the ROG Ally.