TL;DR
Ayaneo has paused the Kickstarter launch of its Pocket Play handheld smartphone to address customer service and delivery issues, especially for buyers outside China. The company says development continues and it plans a relaunch once improvements are verified, while the broader gaming-phone market has seen early setbacks in 2026.
What happened
Ayaneo announced it has postponed the crowdfunding campaign for the Pocket Play just days before the Kickstarter launch that had been scheduled for January 13. In a long blog post, Arthur Zhang, representing Ayaneo at CES, said the company is responding to “service-related concerns” raised by customers, with problems highlighted by buyers outside China. The company outlined a plan for 2026 to strengthen customer support, speed and quality of service, and, crucially for the Pocket Play project, shipping timelines and fulfillment processes for crowdfunding orders. Zhang said Ayaneo will increase direct pre-sales through its website and rely less on crowdfunding, while improving delivery management when crowdfunding is used. Development on the Pocket Play remains active; Ayaneo says it will relaunch the project in a more transparent way once it has fulfilled current commitments and confirmed its new service processes work, targeting a relaunch in late January or February.
Why it matters
- Delaying the campaign aims to prevent another crowdfunding delay that could harm customers and the company’s reputation.
- Changes in fulfillment and customer support could affect how future device launches are funded and delivered.
- With Asus reportedly not planning new ROG phones in 2026, gaps may appear in the gaming-phone niche.
- A shift away from crowdfunding toward direct pre-sales could alter backer expectations and project transparency.
Key facts
- Ayaneo canceled the Pocket Play Kickstarter that was due to go live on January 13.
- Arthur Zhang posted a company blog outlining service-related concerns, particularly from customers outside China.
- Planned improvements focus on customer support, service speed and quality, and shipping timelines for crowdfunding projects.
- Ayaneo intends to boost pre-sales through its website and reduce reliance on crowdfunding for new products.
- When crowdfunding is used, Ayaneo pledged to improve delivery management to avoid delays.
- Development of the Pocket Play is reported to continue despite the crowdfunding pause.
- Ayaneo plans to relaunch the project in a more transparent way in late January or February after addressing existing issues.
- Asus reportedly told telecom partners it will not launch any new ROG phones in 2026, leaving a gap in the market.
What to watch next
- Whether Ayaneo meets its timeline to relaunch the Pocket Play in late January or February.
- Effectiveness of Ayaneo’s promised improvements to customer support and shipping/fulfillment processes.
- not confirmed in the source
Quick glossary
- Crowdfunding: A method of raising money for a project by collecting small amounts from many people, typically via online platforms.
- Pre-sales: Sales that occur before a product is widely available, often used to gauge demand or manage production volumes.
- Fulfillment: The process of processing, packing, and delivering customer orders after a sale or pledge.
- Customer support: Services provided to assist buyers with product setup, issues, repairs, returns, and general inquiries.
- Gaming phone: A smartphone designed with hardware, software and design features optimized for mobile gaming performance and controls.
Reader FAQ
Why did Ayaneo pause the Pocket Play crowdfunding campaign?
Ayaneo cited service-related concerns raised by customers, especially those outside China, and wants to fix delivery and support processes before launching.
Was the Pocket Play canceled?
No; Ayaneo says development continues and the project will be relaunched after service improvements and fulfillment of existing commitments.
When will the Pocket Play relaunch?
Ayaneo indicated a planned relaunch in late January or February once it verifies its new service systems.
Is Asus releasing a new ROG gaming phone in 2026?
According to the report, Asus communicated to telecom partners that it will not launch any new phones in 2026.
Ayaneo Pocket Play put on hold, as gaming phones get off to a bad start in 2026 Credit: Ayaneo By Andy Boxall Published 14 minutes ago Andy is a seasoned technology…
Sources
- Ayaneo Pocket Play put on hold, as gaming phones get off to a bad start in 2026
- AYANEO 2026 Service Improvement Plan
- Ayaneo releases a plan commiting to better service in 2026
- Facing a boycott, AYANEO reveals a plan to turn things …
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