Smach Z gets delayed again after company fails to meet 2019 deadline; Q1 2020 looking unlikely too

[Redaktion]

Remember the Smach Z? The seemingly forever-delayed handheld console was due to finally be released by the end of last year. Unsurprisingly, Smach Z missed that date, and offered a tentative Q1 2020 instead. However, a new production issue looks to have pushed the release of the Smach Z into at least Q2 2020, too.

https://www.notebookcheck.net/Smach-Z-gets-delayed-again-after-company-fails-to-meet-2019-deadline-Q1-2020-looking-unlikely-too.454358.0.html

[Neon]

Smach Z delay problems go much deeper than that simple dimple. Many backers do not believe their latest excuse. They went silent when backers demanded fully assembled devices with the defective case.

[GetSmart]

The real reasons for the new delay probably has less to do with the dented casing. Did you know that OnTesting SL, developers of Smach Z hardware, has stopped advertizing Smach Z on their website? Not a single image of Smach Z, and only hints are left. On top of that, in an article at PC Watch Japan, GPD CEO Wade mentioned why they dropped AMD Ryzen Embedded SoC citing lack of battery management firmware and higher cooling requirements as the primary cause. GPD has much more experience thus certainly recognize the problems very early on. Meanwhile Smach Z stuck to this SoCs and as a result, more problems and delays. By the The Phawx's review sample is not even "pre-production" ready and there is a plethora of problems not mentioned in his videos.

[Adamj93]

You mentioned not seeing a reference to 2019 on their web site, but if you click on the "Buy" link you'll see the text "Free shipping worldwide. Receive it end of 2019" at the bottom of the page. They're still advertising a 2019 release when this thing is never getting out the door.

They also hide the "delays" behind an NDA and backer-only updates. They're trying to stay out of the limelight as much as possible so they don't get exposed as a scam, but it's obvious they got their investments and Kickstarter money and they're never actually going to release a product.

[GetSmart]

You mentioned not seeing a reference to 2019 on their web site, but if you click on the "Buy" link you'll see the text "Free shipping worldwide. Receive it end of 2019" at the bottom of the page. They're still advertising a 2019 release when this thing is never getting out the door.

Smach Z just updated that FAQ, now it says "during 2020". They probably saw your comment. But still no specific release date yet. Gonna be a long year 2020...   ;D