The cloud and mobile gaming world is expanding rapidly, with many companies trying to find the right formula to deliver a compelling on-the-go gaming experience. Razer, the lifestyle brand known for its gaming peripherals and laptops, is throwing its hat into the ring with the new Razer Edge handheld. It combines the versatility of a mobile device with the power and controls needed for cloud gaming. I spent some time with the Razer Edge to see if it lives up to its potential.
Hardware and Design
I have to say; I really like the way this little console looks. The Razer Edge has two main components, a 6.8” OLED touchscreen tablet and the Kishi V2 Pro controller. The tablet houses a Snapdragon G3x chip, 6/8GB of RAM, 128GB of storage, a 5000mAh battery, stereo speakers, a front-facing camera, and a USB-C port.
It feels solid in hand but not overly heavy. The matte black finish is sleek and a bit more subtle when compared to the RGB seen on other Razer products but looks fantastic. While the large bezels are a bit outdated, the display itself is excellent. The 144Hz refresh rate and vivid colors of the OLED panel make games look amazing. I wish the aspect ratio was a bit taller for streaming games, but it works well for mobile gaming, and this is more a nitpick than a real criticism.
The Kishi V2 Pro controller securely attaches to the tablet’s sides via USB-C. It features clicky buttons, smooth thumbsticks, and a D-pad. Extra functionality like haptics, L3/R3 buttons, and a 3.5mm audio jack make it versatile, especially compared to many phones on the market. The passthrough charging is handy but slower than charging the tablet directly. I found the Razer Edge comfortable to use, but friends with larger hands felt uncomfortable after longer sessions. Still, having a removable controller adds flexibility that some all-in-one rivals lack.
Gaming Performance
The Snapdragon G3x chip is a solid performer and provides ample power for Android gaming. Titles like Genshin Impact and Call of Duty: Mobile run without any hiccups, even on the top graphical setting. The active cooling allows you to play without any thermal throttling, taking away from the core gaming experience. Cloud gaming through services like Xbox Game Pass is lightning fast thanks to Wi-Fi 6E support, and the high refresh rate display makes gameplay extremely responsive. Streaming PC games through Steam Link works well, allowing access to your entire library on the go, but this relies entirely on a good connection to get the most from anything on the cloud.
The virtual controller mode is a useful feature that adds controller support to touchscreen games, and mapping on-screen buttons to the physical controls is quick and intuitive. However, it does have some limitations and won’t work well with certain game genres. For these titles, detaching the tablet provides a solid touchscreen experience. This flexibility is a perk of the Edge’s convertible design, although I still wish it was an all-in-one unit.
To put things in context, the Snapdragon G3x performance is roughly equivalent to last year’s Android flagships, not quite reaching the power of newer premium phones like the Samsung Galaxy S23 or ASUS ROG Phone 7. So, while the Razer Edge performs incredibly well, don’t expect it to replace a high-end gaming phone. It also can’t compete with the native gaming capabilities of the Steam Deck or ROG Ally when running AAA games locally. But as a vessel for cloud gaming, the Edge’s primary focus, it checks all the boxes.
Battery Life
Unlike devices like the ROG Ally, the Razer Edge has excellent battery life, especially for a gaming-focused device. I got around 8-9 hours of gaming time on a single charge. This will vary based on if you are playing natively or streaming, your brightness settings, etc. But you can generally expect all-day battery life with serious gaming sessions.
The internal fans allow the processor to run at max speed without throttling back due to heat. This contributes to consistent performance and better efficiency. The included 45W charger pumps out a full charge in under 2 hours. This is one area that the Razer Edge has a leg up on the Android flagship phones. The active cooling keeps things running smoothly even when games are pushing the system. It can manage this level of battery life, even with the performance as it is, which impressed me.
Software
The Razer Edge runs a lightly customized version of Android 12, keeping the bloat to a minimum. The interface is clean and easy to use, with some of Razer’s signature green flair sprinkled throughout. The Nexus app lets you launch games, remap controls, adjust haptics, and tweak device settings. It does the job and works for the most part well, but it still needs some polish to make sure everything is as easy to use as possible. My only real complaint is the lack of a fingerprint reader. Having to type in a PIN code constantly gets annoying. Face unlock would also have been a welcome addition, especially when I only want to jump into a Fortnite match.
Is the Edge Worth Buying?
The Razer Edge sits in an interesting space between handheld PCs like the Steam Deck and ROG Ally and cloud gaming devices like the Logitech G Cloud. This hybrid approach allows it to bridge the gap between mobile and cloud gaming. The performance, display, build quality, and software all deliver an excellent on-the-go gaming experience.
At $400, the Wi-Fi model is an easier sell than the $600 5G variant. Unless you frequently game without Wi-Fi access, the standard version packs plenty of value. Razer seems committed to improving the software over time too. So, while not perfect, the Razer Edge combines mobile and cloud gaming in a reasonably priced package. It will be interesting to see how other companies respond as this gaming niche grows. But for now, the Edge is a fantastic choice for mobile gamers who want to level up their on-the-go play.
