If gaming phones such as the ROG Phone 6 Pro or Red Magic 7S Pro don't quite do it for you, how about a device that runs Android, has access to the app and game libraries such as the Play Store, third-party launchers such as the Epic Games Store, plus cloud gaming services such as Nvidia's GeForce Now and Microsofts Xbox Cloud gaming, and even remote play options such as Steam Link? Featuring a 6.8-inch AMOLED display with FHD+ resolution, 144Hz refresh rate, powered by Qualcomm's Snapdragon G3x Gen 1 chipset, and optional 5G networking courtesy of Verizon, the Razer Edge promises to be the handheld gaming device we've been waiting for ever since Sony's one and done experiment called the Xperia Play.
Updated January 28: Now available from Verizon with 5G support, the Razer Edge is just $10 monthly (for 36 months) with 0% APR so long as you are willing to pay an extra $10 per month to add it to your wireless plan. It's something to consider if you don't want to pony up $599 for the device outright. If 5G connectivity isn't a dealbreaker, though, you can save $200 by ordering the WiFi-only variant which will be available directly from Razer from February 8th.
Updated January 9, 2023: Razer showcased the Edge device during CES and revealed that it will go on general sale on January 26 with prices starting from $399 for the base WiFi model. The Verizon-exclusive 5G variant is also launching on January 26 but that 5G connectivity will cost you a whopping $599. Is the addition of 5G support worth the extra $200? Let us know in the comments below.
You can reserve your Razer Edge for $5 via the link below.
The Razer Edge comes bundled with a Kishi V2 Pro controller which features improved haptic feedback and a built-in 3.5mm audio jack. The controller is powered via USB-C and brings the following control elements:
- 2 Analog Sticks
- 8 Buttons
- 1 D-pad
- 2 Triggers
- 2 Bumpers
- 2 Programmable buttons
- Razer HyperSense Haptics
Accompanying the Snapdragon G3x Gen 1 SoC is 8GB of RAM, 128GB of UFS 3.1 storage, and a MicroSD card slot that supports memory cards up to 2TB in size. Sound is provided by 2-way speakers that support THX Spatial Audio along with connectivity such as Bluetooth 5.2 and WiFi 6E. A 5,000mAh battery keeps the lights on although the charging speed hasn't yet been revealed. The Razer Edge will be available in WiFi and 5G (Sub 6 & mmWave) variants which are bundled with the Kishi V2 Pro controller. Without the controller, the Razer Edge weighs in at 264g or 401g when attached to the Kishi V2 Pro.
How Much and When?
Razer says that the Edge will go on sale in January 2023 with the WiFi variant priced at $399 and the 5G model's cost to be revealed later. There'll also be a ‘Founders Edition' on sale which is basically the WiFi package plus a set of Razer's Hammerhead True Wireless (2021) bundled in. While we are still a few months away from the Edge going on sale you can already reserve yourself a unit for just $5 on the Razer website via the link below:
We've got the Razer Edge specifications comparison chart for you below.
| MSRP | $399.99 | $499.99 | Coming Soon |
| CHIPSET | Qualcomm Snapdragon G3x Gen 1 | Qualcomm Snapdragon G3x Gen 1 | Qualcomm Snapdragon G3x Gen 1 |
| SCREEN | 6.8” FHD+ (2400×1080) AMOLED 144Hz | 6.8” FHD+ (2400×1080) AMOLED 144Hz | 6.8” FHD+ (2400×1080) AMOLED 144Hz |
| RAM | 8GB LPDDR5 | 8GB LPDDR5 | 8GB LPDDR5 |
| STORAGE | Internal: 128GB (UFS 3.1) External Memory Support: MicroSD (Up to 2TB) | Internal: 128GB (UFS 3.1) External Memory Support: MicroSD (Up to 2TB) | Internal: 128GB (UFS 3.1) External Memory Support: MicroSD (Up to 2TB) |
| AUDIO | 2-way speakers with 2 digital microphones THX Spatial Audio | 2-way speakers with 2 digital microphones THX Spatial Audio | 2-way speakers with 2 digital microphones Boomcloud360 audio |
| CAMERA | Front-facing: 5MP, 1080p @60fps | Front-facing: 5MP, 1080p @60fps | Front-facing: 5MP, 1080p @60fps |
| BATTERY | 5,000mAh | 5,000mAh | 5,000mAh |
| CONNECTIVITY | Wi-Fi 6E Bluetooth 5.2 USB Type C 3.5mm Headphone Jack (via controller) | Wi-Fi 6E Bluetooth 5.2 USB Type C 3.5mm Headphone Jack (via controller) | Wi-Fi 6E 5G with Embedded-SIM (eSIM) Bluetooth 5.2 USB Type C 3.5mm Headphone Jack (via controller) |
| ANTENNA | – | – | Sub 6, mmWave |
| BANDS | – | – | LTE, UMTS, Global LTE, LTE Cat 22 |
| DIMENSIONS | 260 x 85 x 11 mm | 260 x 85 x 11 mm | 260 x 85 x 11 mm |
| WEIGHT | 264 g (tablet only) 401 g (with controller attached) | 264 g (tablet only) 401 g (with controller attached) | 264 g (tablet only) 401 g (with controller attached) |
| CONTROLLER | Powered via USB-C 2 analog sticks 8 buttons 1 D-pad 2 triggers 2 bumpers 2 programmable buttons Razer HyperSense haptics | Powered via USB-C 2 analog sticks 8 buttons 1 D-pad 2 triggers 2 bumpers 2 programmable buttons Razer HyperSense haptics | Powered via USB-C 2 analog sticks 8 buttons 1 D-pad 2 triggers 2 bumpers 2 programmable buttons Razer HyperSense haptics |
| CONTENT | Razer Edge Wi-Fi Razer Kishi V2 Pro | Razer Edge Wi-Fi Razer Kishi V2 Pro Razer Hammerhead True Wireless (2021) | Razer Edge 5G Razer Kishi V2 Pro |
Too much money for too little under the hood. For alt $50 dollars more, we can get a Steam Deck, and for less/ around the same price, we can get either a Switch or one of several Android, PC, Linux or Raspberry pi handhelds, which can run emulators, locally stored games AND cloud games.
Heck, for under $20, we can pick up a cheap wireless hardware controller (with built-in clip), that’s no bigger than this console, and use it to play hardware controller-supported games (locally stored, cloud, emus, etc) on our existing phones AND they have built-in sim cards to allow constant connection on the go.
I can’t see many people buying this thing, at full-price, purely to just play cloud games on. If it was between $100-200 dollars, and it had more storage, it might be able to complete with all the “retro emu handhelds” though?