AYANEO Flip 1S DS Review – The Dual Screen King?

AYANEO has returned, introducing a refreshed version of the dual-monitor portable gaming computer that debuted last year. Let’s explore in our AYANEO Flip 1S DS review what it delivers for enthusiasts of dual-display gaming.

AYANEO Flip 1S DS Overview

The AYANEO Flip 1S DS has physical dimensions of approximately 7.0 x 4.0 x 1.15 inches (18.0 x 10.2 x 2.93 cm) and a mass of about 655g (1.44 lbs).

Unfolding the device showcases the primary 7-inch 1080P OLED panel positioned in the upper section. This display supports a variable refresh rate, ranging from 60Hz all the way to 144Hz. Its hinge mechanism permits operation at any angle, including a full 180-degree flat orientation.

The bottom portion houses all the conventional gaming inputs, featuring dual analogue TMR joysticks, a D-Pad, and action buttons. Situated along the lower edge are several function keys: a bottom display mode toggle, an Xbox guide button, volume rockers, a power button combined with a fingerprint scanner, an optical finger mouse, plus dedicated AYA overlay and desktop buttons. There is an abundance of controls readily accessible. Positioned in the center is the secondary 4.5-inch IPS panel, which features a resolution of 1620×1080 60Hz.

Situated along the top edge are the left and right shoulder and trigger inputs, supplemented by macro buttons. You will also find a covered micro SD card slot and a pair of USB 4 ports for high-velocity accessories.

The rear of the device features two interchangeable textured grips: one provides a bumpy feel, while the other offers a more wave-like contour. Users can effortlessly swap between these two options to match their personal comfort preference.

AYANEO Flip 1S DS Technical Specifications

As part of our AYANEO Flip 1S DS review we are taking a look at the CPU, RAM & Storage options for it.

The unit is powered by a 45Wh battery that accepts up to 65W Power Delivery and additionally features bypass charging. In our testing, we measured approximately 1 hour and 5 minutes of endurance while operating at a 28W TDP, set to maximum brightness, and looping Cinebench. This runtime is on par with other handhelds, which is commendable given its dual-display nature.

AYA Software Overview

It is possible to cycle through the tabs on the lower portion to display the live system metrics, such as TDP, fan velocity, and resource utilization. The secondary display enables the modification of settings, providing quick toggles for Extreme, Balanced, and Power-saving profiles.

The Quick Assistant provides large, easily accessible icons for regular functions, including toggling between desktop modes, capturing screenshots, entering fullscreen, and minimizing applications. The “Application” section permits the user to add shortcuts for their most-used programs.

Additionally, the “smart dual-screen” function is intended to seamlessly transfer currently running software to the lower panel. From this interface, one could, for example, launch a web browser and relocate it. (Showcasing apps moving between screens). However, for unknown reasons, I was unsuccessful in getting the browser to populate the bottom screen using this feature and had to resort to manually dragging it there.

Gaming

As is familiar from the numerous other handhelds built upon the HX 370, this processor is capable of executing games at respectable resolutions and graphics levels. When gaming at 1080P, it is generally possible to play titles at medium to high settings while maintaining 60 frames per second.

With the secondary panel, it’s possible to play a video, consult a walkthrough, maintain a Discord conversation, or even browse an online store. In practice, however, users will likely keep it deactivated much of the time or simply use it for monitoring system performance statistics.

Emulation Performance

The HX 370 processor is outstanding for emulation, capably running software from up to the latest generation of handhelds with minimal difficulty. We can leverage specific dual-screen handheld emulators, for instance MelonDS and Azahar.

These applications demand a degree of configuration to fully utilize both displays. The process involves modifying specific menu settings to generate a secondary window and direct it to the second panel. This solution is not entirely perfect in every scenario and might rely on third-party software to render it in a genuine full-screen mode.

Final Thoughts

The AYANEO Flip 1S DS arrives with several respectable enhancements when compared to the initial AYANEO DS version. For those who were fond of the original, the 1S model will likely be very appealing. The expanded secondary display significantly improves both usability and visibility. The inclusion of a more powerful processor is, as always, a valued upgrade.

The central question remains whether a dual-display Windows handheld is a genuine necessity for you. If you dedicate significant time to playing dual-screen emulators or frequently referencing game guides mid-play, then the answer is a definitive yes. Conversely, you will probably utilise it for a brief period before the novelty subsides and you cease to use it. In this scenario, I would suggest regarding any other HX 370-powered handheld as a viable alternative such as the AYANEO 3.

AYANEO 3

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