It makes me angry that this is the only clamshell that makes sense to me and it’s discontinued. The 35XX SP doesn’t compete. Neither do the other brands. We need a Flip 2
I love my Flip, I it's in my pocket basically all day every day. One improvement I would love to see is a set of android buttons (recent, home, and back). Another thing I would love to see, albeit unlikely, is a dual screen for emulating NDS/3DS. As for the Flip 2, I would rather they call it the retroid pocket 4 flip if it's based on the retroid 4 hardware. Otherwise it starts getting weird, flip is the same chips as the 3+, flip 2 based on the chips of the 4/4 pro not retroid pocket 2. And yeah, if I get PS2 and better Sega Saturn (my flip struggles with Shining Force 3 after a while, and will sometimes reset Yaba Sanshiro after waking up from sleep or switching apps), I would totally sell my flip to get a RP4-based flip.
The reason why the rp3+ is still for sale and the flip isn't might be that they have more of a need to keep flip parts for warranty repairs, whereas they can use the rp3+ to run down their remaining stocks of the t618 before dropping it from sale too. Ideal chip for me would be the sd7+ Gen 2, keeps costs down compared to the sd8 Gen2 while still being a strong snapdragon performer.
Before the flip, I was super convinced I didn't need any other handheld that my PS Vita, but I started to see people talking about it, watch a few reviews and fell in love. This is my favorite handheld device, And I would love a second iteration.
I was very tempted by the Flip but the speaker on the back, the sliders, the feeling that PS2/GC wasn't quite there yet on the T618, and then the hinge issues, made me hold off and wait for a more refined Flip 2. So if they end up dropping it altogether I'll be bitterly disappointed. I agree that the timing of the discontinuation of the Flip probably means Retroid is shifting parts (and manpower) to meet the high demand for the 4 Pro. My main reservation over a Flip 2 now would actually be the screen, I'm not sure 4.7" is still generous enough when it comes to enjoying GC/PS2/Wii at 2x, at least for my eyes. For that reason an Odin 2 Flip would have me very excited. It's a shame that the RG556 has such a great screen and ergonomics but not the chip to make the most of it, I would love that 5.5" OLED in a clamshell with a snapdragon.
with all the room on the bottom half, I'd want full size face buttons on the Flip 2. I hate that handhelds almost always have the little switch-sized face buttons! Also, a 3.5in second screen on the bottom would be amazing. But that would probably drive the price up too much. But having a 16:9 screen on top with a 4:3 screen on bottom would leave room for the buttons and be everything I want in a clamshell device.
The bigger problem AFAIK is Android's rather poor second-screen support. It's possible, looking at what LG did with a few of their devices, but getting a second screen to work natively with Android isn't plug-and-play(I tried with a little portable screen and the results aren't great out of the box) If they could get that sorted, a Dimensity-1100 based dual screen handheld would be incredible. Instant preorder for me.
I litreally didn't buy the Flip just because i wanted the Flip 2 / Plus , So they can work out the bugs and finally play gamecube properly xD thats all i want , a Gamecube Handheld xD
the Odin 2 has already obviated much of the sub-$300 market tbh. if AYN were to bring the SD 8.2 to another form factor like a Flip or Flip DS (!!!) it’d be game over. price/performance is still key but Android optimization for Snapdragon has leveled to where ergo & design are the deciding factors in the mid to high end. similarly, the downward pressure as 1st gen 7840u x86s start to age should mean we’ll be seeing more competitive pricing :)
I agree with you that a broader announcement from Retroid about the hinge would have fared much better. I had also only heard about it from you and one other youtuber, and many people still ignore the Flip out of hinge fear. The Flip is easily one of my favorite retro devices to use though, so i would love a Flip 2. I might even by another Flip 1 as a backup, but itll prob cost extra due to being discontinued which is a bummer.
Honestly this is my biggest problem with Retroid in general. They seem to fail to communicate anything negative whatsoever, even if it would help mitigate the issue at hand. Looking at the RP4Pro launch, the clear red/blue devices were delayed while they checked out the shoulder issue(They stopped shipping them for iirc over a week), but they just didn't say anything beyond that there was a known issue with the shoulders. Other colors were still shipping too. As someone who pre-ordered a clear blue one, I ended up cancelling my preorder a few days before Chinese New Year out of fear of $250 being stuck with them for the full two weeks they were going to be closed, after a full month of waiting.
If Ayn or Retroid don’t make a Flip 2 I’ll never buy any of their products, I’m that salty. This is the best designed emulator clamshell on the market and they discontinue it 😤
Just when I decided to finally go for the Flip, they discontinued it...I still have my RP2+, which is fine, but I wanted a 4.7 screen, and don't feel like going "chocolate bar" for that. The Flip could have been so nice, dammit. Why Retroid, why?
I feel like an AYN Flip would be a lot more expensive than people think. It would be good and trusted though since its AYN. They're the opposite of Powkiddy. "Its AYN.... Yes."
I'd just say, Ninteno were right to add the speakers next to the screen. It's the place it makes the most sense. And yea, it reduces the screen size efficiency a bit. But look at the flip's bezels, they are not exactly small, I think there's room for speakers without adding too many milineters to the width.
Joystick ideas - pop out slider and replace with higher height ones - negative is could accidentally break screen, another idea is add switch like rails on side to pop on a small form factor controller.
A flip 2 would be nice but I would really prefer to see an updated 2s I really want a 4:3 device that can just play most gamecube and ps2 without issue, that is what I have wanted for years now but it still feels so far away.
I got mine on preorder and I used lightly for about a month and opened after about a week of use and the hinge broke. This is the first time I’ve heard about the warranty support
The most likely reason for discontinuation is probably the inability to get a specific part, or a suitable alternative. Speaking of which, does anyone know if it's possible to get a replacement d-pad for a flip? The parts that keep it inside the shell have broken off on mine.
Would like to see a bigger screen could make it bigger without a huge increase in overall size, more hinge angles, be the first to have the buttons with both regular and ps shown on each button, seen some great example of this, would also be nice if could have the buttons backlit, I play a lot in dark and would be nice to see buttons, think all the lit joystick rings seem pointless does not add much, needs to play GameCube, ps2 as minimum, a second micro as card would be nice, and with a powerful processor and nice price could be a legitimate competitor with Odin 2, have a plus version with a smaller touch screen in bottom half, easy 50 dollar upgrade
I don't have a flip, but I do have a GPD XD 64gb. Works just fine for GBA, some N64 and Dreamcast etc and resembles a 3DS more than the Retroid, plus Vita Sticks and L3 R3 buttons. It is an older chip, but still very capable.
Joystick ideas: 1. Retractable ones that pop out when needed. 2. Removable/swappable joysticks that have a holder in the shell. 3. 2 mini touchpads? Terrible idea though.
The only problem I had with the flip are the shitty sliders and short trigger travel. Made it hard to play any semi modern console games that needed joysticks and analog triggers. If they upgrade to the Dimensity 1100 like the 4 pro, put regular joysticks and a bit more travel, I'd make it my daily driver.
I liked the clamshell idea and the hinge isn't what stopped me from getting the flip. It was those stupid analog sliders they should have done more R and D
Agreed. You’re telling me that we were this close to getting GC, PS2, Wii in our pockets and the only thing holding us back is stupid hinges?? When the Anbernic SP has moved tens of thousands of units??
@@MidnightBoots they are making too many handhelds but they forget the most important feature is portability and protection... and that's exactly what a flip brings to the table. But they need to make it more premium next time around.
@JoeysRetroHandhelds If GPD did an XD2 with the snapdragon 8 series in it, they would upstage anything put out by PowKiddy or Retroid. The problem is that they always price their devices Too high.
Why powkiddy seam to be special as a bad aspect allow you ? Hardware seam to be less good, and software isn't the best, but is it really a bad choice allow you ?
You just said it :) Hardware isn't good, buttons and dpad aren't good, software isn't good - add everything up and they're the worst option of them all.
Ayn and Retroid is the same company! The problem for most was the sticks .. I don’t think it would make sense to make a flip 2 until they figure out the sticks .. making it more powerful would be pointless until they figure out those sticks
I think they take that out of the market not for an upcoming flip 2 because they're still selling the 2s. Also I don't know why people talk badly about Powkiddy and so good about Anbernic... When one is a sub brand of the other. Like Ferrari and Alfa Romeo. Look at the addresses of them. Same city, same road, same number and same office between Powkiddy and Anbernic. also the god XD plus was having normal Nintendo switch analogs and it was not bulkier. Also Ayn and Retroid are in collaboration and it's pretty clear just looking at their devices and the parts they used. They were developing a console by themselves after the 2s and they were making a mess. With the help of Taki Udon and Ayn the Retroid pocket 3 was born.
Retroid was so many QA issues that honestly dismissing Powkiddy is weird . RP3/3+ had all sort of problems including screen burn in (my RP3 got it), flip has bad hinges , the 4 has bad triggers. Retroid is garbage.
Here's my speculation: They DIDN'T "fix" the hinge. They changed the design and got it to last a bit longer, but these clamshell devices are just inherently prone to breaking because of their design - and that's what Retroid doesn't want to deal with anymore. Even Nintendo gave up. (See the 2DS and the Switch.) The spring issue for RP4 is different - they don't seem to have redesigned the RP4 to try to solve the issue with broken springs - looks like what is needed was just a tougher material because the spring broke too easily. Alternate speculation: The Flip just didn't sell well enough to make it worth dealing with.
“Even Nintendo gave up” What? If Nintendo would’ve given up hinges after the original DS model (which had flawed hinges and “didn’t sell well” like the RP Flip) the DS never eventually would’ve became one of the best selling consoles of all time with hundreds of different variants like it did…the non clamshell 2ds didn’t do incredibly well and they released three clamshell variants after.. There’s still many un-damaged DS lites nearly 20 years after it came out. Hinge issues after the DSi are most of the time a user issue. The clamshell is a practical form factor and if Retroid was smart they’d try it again because they’re getting their butts kicked by Anbernic who just copied the SP lol
Flip 2 is a day one preorder for me. I'd sell every device I own.
Retroid, please launch Flip 2 with an OLED display, I'd buy that immediately.
I love my Flip. Its the only device that leaves the house. I just grab it and throw it in my backpack because it basically has a built in case.
Flip 2 when
It makes me angry that this is the only clamshell that makes sense to me and it’s discontinued. The 35XX SP doesn’t compete. Neither do the other brands. We need a Flip 2
A flip with GC and ps2 compatibility is an instant buy from me
I love clamshells handheld SO MUCH. I was consider buying the Retro Pocket Flip but should I wait until a confirmation for the Flip 2?
im pretty sure retroid confirmed no flip 2 so i would buy one if you can find a good deal
I love my Flip, I it's in my pocket basically all day every day. One improvement I would love to see is a set of android buttons (recent, home, and back). Another thing I would love to see, albeit unlikely, is a dual screen for emulating NDS/3DS.
As for the Flip 2, I would rather they call it the retroid pocket 4 flip if it's based on the retroid 4 hardware. Otherwise it starts getting weird, flip is the same chips as the 3+, flip 2 based on the chips of the 4/4 pro not retroid pocket 2.
And yeah, if I get PS2 and better Sega Saturn (my flip struggles with Shining Force 3 after a while, and will sometimes reset Yaba Sanshiro after waking up from sleep or switching apps), I would totally sell my flip to get a RP4-based flip.
"But it's Powkiddy"
Enough said lol
Retroid has a terrible track record of QA so I don’t know why he mocks powkiddy.
Just got the RGB30 and it’s amazing.
The reason why the rp3+ is still for sale and the flip isn't might be that they have more of a need to keep flip parts for warranty repairs, whereas they can use the rp3+ to run down their remaining stocks of the t618 before dropping it from sale too. Ideal chip for me would be the sd7+ Gen 2, keeps costs down compared to the sd8 Gen2 while still being a strong snapdragon performer.
Вы ориентируетесь по официальному сайту, но flip 1 ещё можно покупать в других маркетах, он всё ещё продаётся
Before the flip, I was super convinced I didn't need any other handheld that my PS Vita, but I started to see people talking about it, watch a few reviews and fell in love. This is my favorite handheld device, And I would love a second iteration.
Exactly!
I was very tempted by the Flip but the speaker on the back, the sliders, the feeling that PS2/GC wasn't quite there yet on the T618, and then the hinge issues, made me hold off and wait for a more refined Flip 2. So if they end up dropping it altogether I'll be bitterly disappointed. I agree that the timing of the discontinuation of the Flip probably means Retroid is shifting parts (and manpower) to meet the high demand for the 4 Pro.
My main reservation over a Flip 2 now would actually be the screen, I'm not sure 4.7" is still generous enough when it comes to enjoying GC/PS2/Wii at 2x, at least for my eyes. For that reason an Odin 2 Flip would have me very excited. It's a shame that the RG556 has such a great screen and ergonomics but not the chip to make the most of it, I would love that 5.5" OLED in a clamshell with a snapdragon.
with all the room on the bottom half, I'd want full size face buttons on the Flip 2. I hate that handhelds almost always have the little switch-sized face buttons!
Also, a 3.5in second screen on the bottom would be amazing. But that would probably drive the price up too much. But having a 16:9 screen on top with a 4:3 screen on bottom would leave room for the buttons and be everything I want in a clamshell device.
The bigger problem AFAIK is Android's rather poor second-screen support. It's possible, looking at what LG did with a few of their devices, but getting a second screen to work natively with Android isn't plug-and-play(I tried with a little portable screen and the results aren't great out of the box)
If they could get that sorted, a Dimensity-1100 based dual screen handheld would be incredible. Instant preorder for me.
I litreally didn't buy the Flip just because i wanted the Flip 2 / Plus , So they can work out the bugs and finally play gamecube properly xD thats all i want , a Gamecube Handheld xD
trying so hard to not buy a 4pro because id really prefer to replace my flip with a flip 2
I’d give a kidney for a RPFlip2. I thought I was going to hate the Flip… ordered it anyways and defiantly one of my faves now
I'm looking to get into the handheld emulator space and super disappointed I can't get my hands on a flip :( two months too late
Knowing that there’s a fellow advocate for the Odin Flip out here = insta sub. AYN would easily dominate this entire gen.
hypothetical Flip wishlist:
budget: Anbernic/Retroid
- 5, 5.5, or 5.8” AMOLED
- Snapdragon 865 or 888
- 5000+ mAh + pass thru
price: ~$200 for 8g + 128
premium: AYN
- 5.8” AMOLED or 7” LTPS
- Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 or 2
- 7000+ mAh + dual usb-c
price: ~$300 for 8g + 128
the Odin 2 has already obviated much of the sub-$300 market tbh. if AYN were to bring the SD 8.2 to another form factor like a Flip or Flip DS (!!!) it’d be game over. price/performance is still key but Android optimization for Snapdragon has leveled to where ergo & design are the deciding factors in the mid to high end. similarly, the downward pressure as 1st gen 7840u x86s start to age should mean we’ll be seeing more competitive pricing :)
Ayn это дорого, мне в россии сложно купить на прямую с их сайта, ayn не спешит в другие маркеты
I agree with you that a broader announcement from Retroid about the hinge would have fared much better. I had also only heard about it from you and one other youtuber, and many people still ignore the Flip out of hinge fear. The Flip is easily one of my favorite retro devices to use though, so i would love a Flip 2. I might even by another Flip 1 as a backup, but itll prob cost extra due to being discontinued which is a bummer.
Flip 1 до сих пор продаётся на алиэкспресс
Honestly this is my biggest problem with Retroid in general. They seem to fail to communicate anything negative whatsoever, even if it would help mitigate the issue at hand.
Looking at the RP4Pro launch, the clear red/blue devices were delayed while they checked out the shoulder issue(They stopped shipping them for iirc over a week), but they just didn't say anything beyond that there was a known issue with the shoulders. Other colors were still shipping too. As someone who pre-ordered a clear blue one, I ended up cancelling my preorder a few days before Chinese New Year out of fear of $250 being stuck with them for the full two weeks they were going to be closed, after a full month of waiting.
If Ayn or Retroid don’t make a Flip 2 I’ll never buy any of their products, I’m that salty. This is the best designed emulator clamshell on the market and they discontinue it 😤
I like your suggestions, but I would also want to see the Start and Select buttons moved up where they'd be easier to press.
i got a low numbered sports red flip and i have had no issues with the hinge
Just when I decided to finally go for the Flip, they discontinued it...I still have my RP2+, which is fine, but I wanted a 4.7 screen, and don't feel like going "chocolate bar" for that. The Flip could have been so nice, dammit. Why Retroid, why?
I love my Flip as a PSP/some PS2 handheld. Really love the thing.
I feel like an AYN Flip would be a lot more expensive than people think. It would be good and trusted though since its AYN. They're the opposite of Powkiddy. "Its AYN.... Yes."
Yeh, all this, I'm flipping out at the possibilities!
P.S. The close ups "But it's Powkiddy" 🤣
No Dad jokes! Heheh.
I'd just say, Ninteno were right to add the speakers next to the screen. It's the place it makes the most sense. And yea, it reduces the screen size efficiency a bit. But look at the flip's bezels, they are not exactly small, I think there's room for speakers without adding too many milineters to the width.
Personally I think an Anbernic Clamshell device with the Unisoc Tiger T820 would be pretty badass.
Waiting for the Miyoo Mini Flip. The Flip 2 would be pretty cool, too!
Joystick ideas - pop out slider and replace with higher height ones - negative is could accidentally break screen, another idea is add switch like rails on side to pop on a small form factor controller.
A flip 2 would be nice but I would really prefer to see an updated 2s I really want a 4:3 device that can just play most gamecube and ps2 without issue, that is what I have wanted for years now but it still feels so far away.
Love my N3DS XL and I want a retro handheld rip-off of it.
the screen is much better than RP4 Pro one
the sliders are good, the only people I've heard complain about them have never used them. There's like 10% of games where I notice they're not sticks
Why lie to make your point lol I've used them and still dislike them
@@user-to1su2iy4d you're the first one
Love my flip. On my third one after software issues (flip 1) and hinge cracking a few months ago (flip 2). Flip 3 is going fine since.
It’s pretty apparent you really like the D1100
I think enough enthusiasts loved this to justify a high end snapdragon in the flip 2
I saw your video and immediately stopped the Russ's emustation video he just put up and am now watching yours.
Holy shit!!! I literally just did that right now!!!!! 😃
lol ditto
also mine daily driver
I got mine on preorder and I used lightly for about a month and opened after about a week of use and the hinge broke. This is the first time I’ve heard about the warranty support
The most likely reason for discontinuation is probably the inability to get a specific part, or a suitable alternative. Speaking of which, does anyone know if it's possible to get a replacement d-pad for a flip? The parts that keep it inside the shell have broken off on mine.
Would like to see a bigger screen could make it bigger without a huge increase in overall size, more hinge angles, be the first to have the buttons with both regular and ps shown on each button, seen some great example of this, would also be nice if could have the buttons backlit, I play a lot in dark and would be nice to see buttons, think all the lit joystick rings seem pointless does not add much, needs to play GameCube, ps2 as minimum, a second micro as card would be nice, and with a powerful processor and nice price could be a legitimate competitor with Odin 2, have a plus version with a smaller touch screen in bottom half, easy 50 dollar upgrade
Long live the flip
Dude, your video quality is on point in this video 👏
Appreciate it!
Wish list:
1. Thinner Bezels
2. 1080p oled screen
3. Slimmer body
4. Snap dragon 8 gen (1, 2, or 3) chip
5. (Add your own)
Larger internal fan
4-8gb ram, 4500+ mah battery, windows
6. d-pad from Switch Lite in Flip 2
I don't have a flip, but I do have a GPD XD 64gb. Works just fine for GBA, some N64 and Dreamcast etc and resembles a 3DS more than the Retroid, plus Vita Sticks and L3 R3 buttons. It is an older chip, but still very capable.
thanks joey would prefer flip 2 over pocket 4 - i like the clamshell protection
Second screen please!!
the "annddddddd no." killed me
Man I wish I had purchased the Flip.
Joystick ideas:
1. Retractable ones that pop out when needed.
2. Removable/swappable joysticks that have a holder in the shell.
3. 2 mini touchpads? Terrible idea though.
I would love a retroid pocket flip 2 dual screen 😂 would be fire, I would buy day one!
Flip 6 with 2 screens and lower screen being smaller to give controls space and speakers room.. twin oleds? Based on RP5 and..
They need to incorporate a second screen.
if they made a flip two with 2 screens id buy it.
That's probably not possible
You are wrong about the speakers. The sound comes from the long slits and not from the round fan inlet ;)
Yep, you're right. Oopsies.
Dang that sucks 😕
for me a mini ips painel on center is a insta buy budget
The only problem I had with the flip are the shitty sliders and short trigger travel. Made it hard to play any semi modern console games that needed joysticks and analog triggers. If they upgrade to the Dimensity 1100 like the 4 pro, put regular joysticks and a bit more travel, I'd make it my daily driver.
Are Retroid and Ayn actually separate companies? It wouldn't surprise me to find out they have the same parent company.
Same parent or same manufacturers or both, there's a lot of crossover.
Hard no on T820 vs D1100 which is objectively better, definitely would like to see snapdragon like Odin 2 would be dream version.
Retroid said on their discord that they had no plans for a flip 2, that was 2 months ago.
Gpd Xd is a Flip Device, so is the GPD Win Mini, they make good products generally speaking
Win Mini is lowkey the best 7840u across the board.
I really wanted a flip, but the hinge breaking turned me off.
Flip 2 with Snapdragon 888 or 8 gen 1 would be nice... but those chips are power hogs and can get hot
Maybe an SD 7 gen 2 or 3 would be nice
Sounds to me like the flip 2 would be 'on the hinge of greatness'..........
😂😂
Banned
@@JoeysRetroHandhelds 🤣🤣 sorry brother had to hope your good mate 🏆🏆💚👊
I’d love a flip 2 with the same chip as the retro I’d pocket 4 pro
I liked the clamshell idea and the hinge isn't what stopped me from getting the flip. It was those stupid analog sliders they should have done more R and D
Never like the clamp shell design unless its a ds. Uncomfortable to hold and not portable
It's long overdue
Agreed. You’re telling me that we were this close to getting GC, PS2, Wii in our pockets and the only thing holding us back is stupid hinges??
When the Anbernic SP has moved tens of thousands of units??
@@MidnightBoots they are making too many handhelds but they forget the most important feature is portability and protection... and that's exactly what a flip brings to the table. But they need to make it more premium next time around.
Really, I'd just like to see a powerful V90.
You forgot the GPD XD+
You're right, I did!
@JoeysRetroHandhelds If GPD did an XD2 with the snapdragon 8 series in it, they would upstage anything put out by PowKiddy or Retroid. The problem is that they always price their devices Too high.
Если ретроид это читает. Почему вы не маркировали исправленный Flip 1 вы потеряли потенциальных покупателей
You know how I feel about this thing... Lol great video though still 🙂
I'll get you on the train Cho.
Joey how could you! Lol jk.. Stoke that fire 🔥 well done buddy! We need it we want it and Retroid needs to make it happen!
Why powkiddy seam to be special as a bad aspect allow you ? Hardware seam to be less good, and software isn't the best, but is it really a bad choice allow you ?
You just said it :)
Hardware isn't good, buttons and dpad aren't good, software isn't good - add everything up and they're the worst option of them all.
nice video!
Thanks!
I despised the flip. Maybe I might buy the flip 2 if it was dual screen.
If its cheap enough and its at least same power as a d1100 chip then i am in
№6 Funkey S
Ayn and Retroid is the same company! The problem for most was the sticks .. I don’t think it would make sense to make a flip 2 until they figure out the sticks .. making it more powerful would be pointless until they figure out those sticks
And please retroid no hackisoc socs 💯💯🏆💚👊
I think they take that out of the market not for an upcoming flip 2 because they're still selling the 2s.
Also I don't know why people talk badly about Powkiddy and so good about Anbernic... When one is a sub brand of the other. Like Ferrari and Alfa Romeo. Look at the addresses of them. Same city, same road, same number and same office between Powkiddy and Anbernic.
also the god XD plus was having normal Nintendo switch analogs and it was not bulkier.
Also Ayn and Retroid are in collaboration and it's pretty clear just looking at their devices and the parts they used. They were developing a console by themselves after the 2s and they were making a mess. With the help of Taki Udon and Ayn the Retroid pocket 3 was born.
The flip 1 was ugly and dumb and felt like a lot of wasted space on the device
Retroid was so many QA issues that honestly dismissing Powkiddy is weird .
RP3/3+ had all sort of problems including screen burn in (my RP3 got it), flip has bad hinges , the 4 has bad triggers.
Retroid is garbage.
Pretty simple, Retroid communicates and fixes the issues. Powkiddy doesn't.
What y'all think about a Retrod pocket Slide made like a PSP go 😮
Here's my speculation: They DIDN'T "fix" the hinge. They changed the design and got it to last a bit longer, but these clamshell devices are just inherently prone to breaking because of their design - and that's what Retroid doesn't want to deal with anymore. Even Nintendo gave up. (See the 2DS and the Switch.)
The spring issue for RP4 is different - they don't seem to have redesigned the RP4 to try to solve the issue with broken springs - looks like what is needed was just a tougher material because the spring broke too easily.
Alternate speculation: The Flip just didn't sell well enough to make it worth dealing with.
What about new Nintendo 2ds?
“Even Nintendo gave up”
What? If Nintendo would’ve given up hinges after the original DS model (which had flawed hinges and “didn’t sell well” like the RP Flip) the DS never eventually would’ve became one of the best selling consoles of all time with hundreds of different variants like it did…the non clamshell 2ds didn’t do incredibly well and they released three clamshell variants after..
There’s still many un-damaged DS lites nearly 20 years after it came out. Hinge issues after the DSi are most of the time a user issue. The clamshell is a practical form factor and if Retroid was smart they’d try it again because they’re getting their butts kicked by Anbernic who just copied the SP lol
Need a second screen. Everyone knows why.
tbh It just look so ugly.....