Credit: Nick Fernandez / Android Authority
TL;DR
- After intense criticism from fans, AYANEO has outlined a “Service Improvement Plan” for 2026.
- It addresses shipping delays, poor customer service, quality control, and more.
- The company has also delayed the Pocket Play campaign while it works to implement the changes.
AYANEO has been a trailblazer in retro gaming handheld designs, but when it comes to customer service, it lags far behind the competition. Crowdfunded products are frequently delayed for months with little to no communication, and after-market support is both slow and often ineffective.
Things came to a head in the past few weeks, with many fans and popular reviewers such as Retro Handhelds, Retro Game Corps, and others openly criticizing the company’s practices and even threatening a boycott. After a poorly received initial response, AYANEO’s CEO stepped in to provide a full statement and “Service Improvement Plan” to turn things around in 2026.