Razer taps into the cloud/mobile/handheld gaming craze with the Edge 5G. It’s a unique device, equipped with a powerful Snapdragon G3x Gen 1 mobile chipset for native Android gaming, as well as 5G and Wi-Fi 6E support for cloud gaming on the go. I had a chance to try it out at CES 2023, and it’s the best iteration of this type of device we’ve seen. But it still loses on principle.
If you’re not familiar with the Razer Edge, it’s basically a phone you can’t call or text with paired with Razer’s Kishi V2 Pro controller. The controller isn’t the same as the $100 Kishi V2 you can buy now — it’s almost identical, but Razer added touch elements for the Edge. You can’t buy this updated version, but when I asked Razer if it planned to bring the Pro to market, the company left the door open.
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There are two versions available, one with Wi-Fi 6E only and another with 5G and Wi-Fi available through Verizon (Razer even says there’s a deal with Verizon if you add the line). But make no mistake: you want the 5G version. Logitech’s mediocre G Cloud gaming handheld only supported Wi-Fi, and 5G is a big selling point for the Razer Edge’s true cloud gaming when you’re out and about.
And the connectivity works great. Even with the lack of hotel Wi-Fi at CES, I was able to stream LEGO Star Wars Skywalker Saga without any problems and without any delay. Cloud gaming has come a long way. I played some of the Dead cells with a native Android port, too, and it was beautiful.
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The screen helped a lot. The Edge 5G has a 2400 x 1080 display with a 144Hz refresh rate. Android games don’t support 144Hz out of the box (developers have to manually enable it), but apps like Steam Link do.
For feel, the Razer Edge is superb. The Kishi V2 is a joy to use, and the overall package is much smaller than a device like the Steam Deck. Razer has a special area within the Android operating system as well. This includes your cloud gaming apps like GeForce Now and Xbox Game Pass, along with native Android games like Dead cells.
The Razer Edge could be the #shorts of your dreams to emulate
If anything, this hub is the Razer Edge’s special sauce. In addition to games, you can easily map controls, configure touch capabilities, and more. You still get the full Android experience on the outside, but a UI purpose-built for controllers is what’s missing from cloud gaming and mobile gaming right now.
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The main question is whether that hub is worth $400. While Razer seems confident that the Edge 5G is competing with handheld gaming devices like the Steam Deck and Nintendo Switch, that’s not the case. The Razer Edge 5G rivals the phone in your pocket. The only difference I can see between buying a Kishi V2 and buying a Razer Edge 5G is about $300, touch and no calling or texting on the Razer Edge.
There is no doubt in my mind; The Razer Edge 5G is the best version of this type of device I’ve seen, but it’s misdirected from the start when your phone has more functionality. Razer seems to think that a device like the Edge saves battery life on your phone and gives you a dedicated gaming platform. That’s true, but not enough to tip the scales based on what I’ve seen so far.
The price certainly doesn’t help. At $400, the Razer Edge 5G competes with the Steam Deck without being able to natively play many of the games that Valve’s handheld has access to — and it’s $100 more expensive than the Nintendo Switch. If the idea behind cloud gaming is to provide cheaper options for people who can’t afford a console or PC, there’s no room for a device like the Razer Edge 5G.
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I enjoyed using the device for a short time and would have no problem playing on it for hours on end. But when it’s time to invest, I’d buy a Steam Deck or a Nintendo Switch, or even just a Razer Kishi for my Samsung Galaxy S22 Plus. The biggest argument I see for the Razer Edge is emulation — but then again, simply buying a Kishi and using your phone already solves that problem.
The Razer Edge 5G releases on January 26 via Razer’s website or Verizon.
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Categories: GAMING
Source: newstars.edu.vn