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The Razer Edge handheld game console is basically a small Android tablet with a detachable game controller. While Razer is positioning the Edge as a device for streaming games from the cloud, it has better specs than most products in this category and should also be capable of handling most native Android games or classic console games (via emulation).
Razer unveiled the console last fall and announced earlier this month that it would be available starting January 26. Now you can pre-order a WiFi-only model from Razer or buy a 5G model from Verizon.
Razer charges $400 for the WiFi-only model and says it should begin shipping February 8th, 2023. Folks looking to buy a model with support for Verizon’s 5G network can either pay $600 to buy the Razer Edge 5G outright or spend $10 per month for 36 months… but in order to get that price you’ll also need to pay $10 per month to add the device to your wireless plan.
Both the WiFi-only and 5G versions of the Razer Edge feature a 6.8 inch, 2400 x 1080 pixel, 144 Hz AMOLED displays, a Qualcomm Snapdragon G3x Gen 1 processor (which is basically a rebranded Snapdragon 888), 128GB of UFS 3.1 storage, and a 5,000 mAh battery.
The wireless capabilities aren’t the only thing setting the 5G model apart though. While Razer had initially indicated that all versions of the Razer Edge would ship with 8GB of LPDDR5 memory, the company has quietly updated the specs for the WiFi-only model to state that it has 6GB of RAM. According to Verizon, the Razer Edge 5G has 8GB.
The detachable controller is a Razer Kishi v2 Pro which is similar, but not identical to the Razer Kishi v2 that sells for $100, so you could theoretically make your own Razer Edge-like console by picking up a controller and using it with your existing smartphone.
But Razer says the Edge offers a few key advantages over most phones. First, it has a fan for active cooling, which should lead to better performance during long gaming sessions. Second, the Kishi v2 Pro controller has a few features you don’t get from the non-Pro version, including haptic feedback and a 3.5mm audio passthrough port. The controller is only available to customers who buy a Razer Edge at this point.
And one of the key benefits of using a dedicated device for gaming is that, well, it’s not your phone. You won’t miss any important phone calls, text messages, or other notifications if your Razer Edge battery dies. And since the Edge is designed as a gaming-first device, it offers more of a distraction-free experience than your phone, which probably had dozens of apps.
I’ll leave it to you to decide whether that’s worth spending $400 or more on.
Here’s an overview of key specs for the Razer Edge and Razer Edge 5G:
| Razer Edge / Edge 5G specs | |
| Display | 6.8 inches 2400 x 1080 pixels AMOLED Up to 144 Hz |
| Processor | Qualcomm Snapdragon G3x Gen 1 |
| RAM | 6GB (WiFi) /Â 8GB (5G) LPDDR5 |
| Storage | 128GB UFS 3.1 |
| Battery | 5,000 mAh |
| Connectivity | WiFi 6E Bluetooth 5.2 5G model: mmWave and sub-6GHz, 4G LTE Cat 22 |
| Ports | 1 x USB Type-C 1 x microSD card reader (up to 2TB) 1 x SIM card slot |
| Audio | 2 x speakers 2 x digital mics 1 x 3.5mm audio jack (in Razer Kishi v2 controller) |
| Camera | 5MP front-facing (1080p/60fps) |
| Software | Android 12 |
| Dimensions | 260 x 85 x 11mm |
| Weight | 264 grams (tablet) 401 grams (tablet + controller) |
| Pricing/availability | $400 / January 26 (WiFi model) $360 – $600 / January 26 (Verizon 5G) |
The Wi-Fi model was silently updated to 6GB RAM..
Well that’s annoying. I’ve updated the article to reflect that change. Thanks for bringing it to our attention!
How is it a “game console” when it’s and android phone ?!? Almost every flagship has these specs…
This isn’t a good sell, and it won’t be successful. It’s basically an Android Phone with a Controller, and has no exclusive or AAA-titles.
The problem is that a console lives and dies by its games. Compare the XB1 and XB1S, to the likes of the Nintendo Switch. Microsoft’s console has roughly x2 Performance, is cheaper, and had a 3-Year lead in terms of market penetration.
But I would wager that in 2030 most people won’t remember the XB1, whereas the Nintendo Switch will be remembered.
It’s the games that matter most. Other factors like availability, price, and performance, and marketing matter too. But the games are most important.
It’s also why the PS Vita Slim, was vastly superior to the Nintendo 3DS and new3DS, and their variants. On basically all fronts. However, Nintendo had a lot more success because they had a strong first-party lineup, whereas Sony’s Gaming Studios neglected it and focused on the PS3 Slim during it’s lifetime. By the time the PS4 launched the PS Vita was all but abandoned/discontinued.
Why does it need exclusive games to be successful? Millions of android games plus very good emulation capabilities is not enough for a market? How many have phones more capable than this? You would still have to get a controller on top of that.
I wonder, can it make phone calls as well? On the Verizon website it shows 5G/4G connectivity and doesn’t specify data only…
Not traditionally. You could install a VoIP app like Google Voice.
This is not a phone. It is being sold as a tablet on Verizon’s website. It is, however, a very small tablet.