With the latest wave of portable PCs like the Steam Deck and Ayaneo 2, gaming on the go has never been easier. However, these devices are far from pocket friendly. But with the advent of cloud gaming, there's a new generation of mobile devices like the Razer Edge that aim to make travel more convenient. Instead of relying solely on local performance, Edge runs on Android for lightweight apps, while services like GeForce Now and Xbox Cloud Gaming provide processing power for more demanding games. And for those who can't live without access to their games no matter where they are, there's even a model that supports 5G connectivity. But the question is, even with a relatively low starting price of $400, do you really want or need a cloud gaming handheld?
the project
Unlike Logitech's G Cloud game streaming competitor, the Razer Edge relies on a two-part design. There's the Edge itself, a slightly understated matte black slate that packs a 6.8-inch 144Hz OLED display and comes with an included detachable controller.
Anyone familiar with Razer's other mobile gaming products will immediately notice that the Edge Game looks very similar to the Kishi V2 , and that's because it's basically the same with a few tweaks. Technically, the controller that comes with the Edge is called the Kishi V2 Pro and has the same layout of buttons, triggers and joysticks. Two additional features are an additional sensor and a 3.5mm audio jack, which is important since the only port on the Edge is a USB-C port. You do get a microSD card slot, though, which is a very welcome addition in a world where expandable storage is becoming a rarity.
Edge, on the other hand, is pretty plain on the outside. It has a slightly larger and thicker plastic body than the Galaxy S23 Ultra. Combine that with a square frame and fairly large bezels, and you've got a chunky tablet that's not quite a tablet, but not quite smartphone-sized. You also get stereo speakers on each side of the device, as well as a pair of vents on the back for internal fans. Another difference from the standard phone is that the 5MP front-facing camera is placed on the long edge of the Edge to better support live streaming during gaming.
© Powered by EngadgetOverall, it's a rather understated device that focuses on function rather than form. Heck, there's no RGB lighting either, which seems a bit odd coming from Razer. I wish the company had included a fingerprint sensor because without Face Unlock support, constantly entering a PIN, swipe or password gets a bit tedious. If this thing had an in-screen fingerprint sensor, unlocking it would be as easy as swiping your finger across the right stick very quickly. As for Razer's version of the Edge 2?
play style
When it's finally time to sit down and play, Edge is easy enough to set up. The gamepad slides out so you can easily insert the Edge, so all you have to do is align the USB-C port to the right before putting the controller back on. Razer carefully made some small cuts to prevent the Edge's stereo speakers from sounding muffled, and the whole setup is relatively secure, even though it's not mounted on the left side. Yes, there is some wiggle room if you push hard enough, but I've never had to worry about things falling apart.
© Powered by EngadgetAfter the initial setup, you'll be greeted with a Razer-optimized Android 12 home screen with green accents and a colorful background image. From here you can launch games and services as you would expect by clicking on the appropriate icons. However, if you want to take full advantage of Edge, you need to press the gamepad button below the right joystick. Razer's Nexus app opens and doubles as a quick-start game launcher and a place to adjust settings for the Edge controller, live streaming, and haptic playback.
One nice feature of the Edge is that when connected to the Kishi V2 Pro, it automatically detects games that offer controller support, so you can jump right into the action in titles like Diablo. Immortal or Streets of Rage 4 . But perhaps most importantly, thanks to the latest Nexus software update, the Kishi V2 Pro can also map touchscreen controls to physical buttons and joysticks on the gamepad. This makes playing games like Genshin Impact and others that don't have official controller support more fun, especially if you're like me and prefer physical buttons over virtual ones.
© Powered by EngadgetHowever, turning on the Edge touchscreen playback can be a bit difficult at first. This is because new owners must manually update the Nexus app in the Google Play Store before enabling the virtual controller feature by enabling accessibility settings. And even then I had to restart the device a few more times before everything started working. The good thing is that it's a one-time process, so you don't have to repeat it for every program after installation.
When you start the game, you will see a small semi-circular icon at the top of the screen. Tap it and you'll access a handy menu that lets you map physical buttons to their corresponding virtual controls. It's pretty easy and only takes a minute or two depending on the game. When you exit the game, it also saves your virtual layout so you don't have to do it again next time. However, it's worth remembering that this only works if you launch the game from the Nexus launcher. When you touch the Android home screen or app tray icon, it doesn't activate.
© Powered by EngadgetIt can make some titles much more accessible, but it's not a panacea. Not only is the virtual controller feature still in beta, but it doesn't do much to fix things like menu buttons not matching the virtual in-game controls, which I experienced when trying out Mega Man X Dive . This means that you still have to drag your fingers across the screen from time to time. While the virtual controller feature can be very useful, it doesn't do much to improve traditional mouse and keyboard gaming. While you can technically stream Civ 6 on Edge from a nearby PC using the Steam Link app, it's still not very good. Ultimately, I found that it made me stick more to standard Android apps or Xbox Game Pass console games instead of playing more complex PC games.
Fortunately, the Edge feels solid despite its small size. The buttons are nice and comfortable to the touch, and the joysticks are reliable and responsive. You also get additional controls for Mouse 1 and Mouse 2, as well as additional buttons for taking screenshots, opening menus, or accessing general Android settings.
© Powered by EngadgetUnfortunately, that's not the case with the Edge display, which has large rounded edges and a very wide 20:9 aspect ratio. The lack of an additional vertical display can make the Edge feel cramped, especially if you're trying to use its funky squat keyboard. I made a lot more typos trying to type on the Edge than I did on my phone, and that's saying something because my daily driver is the Z Fold 4, and the onscreen keyboard on the cover is tiny. I really wish Razer would go for a higher aspect ratio as it would make any game look better. That is, except for regular touchscreen apps like Marvel Snap , where the Edge's sheer width feels awkward in portrait mode. Sure, it's hard to make landscape and portrait games play well on mobile, but the balance isn't great.
While I appreciate that there is a cellular option, the current state of 5G coverage means you won't often have full speed access. That's good because even on 4G, unless you live in the Sticks, your connection is probably fast enough for most things. But when you combine that with the fact that the 5G model costs $200 more and is exclusive to Verizon, I think the standard Wi-Fi model is the best option for most people.
Productivity
© Powered by EngadgetNow, before we talk about performance, I think it's important to clarify the features of the Edge first, as there has been some confusion. Initially, both the standard WiFi model and the 5G model were listed with 8GB of RAM and 128GB of storage. However, Razer clarified that the Wi-Fi version only comes with 6GB of storage, while the 5G version gets the full 8GB. While some thought that the Snapdragon G3x Edge chip has an Adreno 730 GPU, it actually has Adreno 660 graphics. This means that the Razer Edge may not be as powerful as expected, affecting actual performance.
In benchmarks like Geekbench 5, the Edge achieved a multi-core score of 3,410, compared to the new Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra's 4,921. And in 3DMark's Wild Life Extreme test, the difference was even greater, with the Edge scoring 1,424 compared to Samsung's 3,809. That means you're basically looking at a device that has the same performance as a 2022 flagship phone, which isn't bad, but isn't too impressive (although it's a lot more powerful than the Logitech G Cloud).
Of course, if you're streaming games from the cloud, local performance isn't as important, and the Edge has more than enough power to run games smoothly on GeForce Now and Xbox Live. And in Android games like Genshin Impact, I didn't experience any major crashes either.
battery life
© Powered by EngadgetIn terms of durability, the Edge definitely has an edge over more powerful laptops. In our local video synthesis test, it lasted more than 15 hours (15:22). When playing, however, it seems to be closer to seven to eight hours, depending on the title, and even less if you're using mobile data. But in most situations, that's still a lot more than you'll get from a steam deck (which usually wears off in three to four hours).
The only quirk of the Edge is that while its controller has USB-C pass-through, it's actually slower to click than plugging the cable into the plate. Using a USB power meter, I found that the charging speed was close. 25W when connected directly to the Edge, including the 45W PSU, but using pass-through charging with the Kishi V2 Pro slows it down to 15W. Granted, this inconsistency might not matter much if you're plugging in the Edge overnight, but taking apart the Edge's components when you need to charge it faster can be annoying. And if that's not fast enough, Razer claims the Edge can handle power supplies up to 65W.
Shut down
© Powered by EngadgetOkay, back to my original question. Do you really need the Razer Edge? Starting at $400 for the Wi-Fi model, you get a device with the same performance as one of last year's flagship phones and an included extra controller, which is actually a pretty good deal. You also get active cooling to keep heat signals at bay, while Razer's Nexus app helps you play both touchscreen apps and more intense cloud gaming with ease. It's still not that bad.
But at the same time, the Edge is basically a thick phone with an app you can buy for $100. And if you take the nameplate out of the equation, you also have the option of getting the Android or iOS versions of the Kishi V2. So, if you have a relatively new phone with good performance, it is better to go for it. It gives you all the benefits of a dedicated pitch, but with fewer devices to control and move around. Alternatively, you can spend the same $400 on the Steam Deck and get a slightly larger device, but with the ability to stream cloud games and AAA games using local hardware.
© Powered by EngadgetHowever, if you have an older phone and haven't planned on upgrading it for a while, the Razer Edge could be a decent device to hold on to until you do. And if you're the type of person who's constantly on the go and could really use a fast cellular connection, then the 5G Edge might be for you. Or if you really need a dedicated gaming device that isn't your primary phone, the Edge offers great bang for your buck.
But for someone trying to reduce the amount of gadgets in my life, it seems like these situations can be a little out of place. Of course, there are other tasks that Edge can handle quite well, such as emulation, but it's not meant to. And honestly, Steam Deck is better too. And while cloud gaming continues to grow in popularity, I'm still not sure most people need a dedicated device for programs like GeForceNow or Xbox Game Pass Ultimate. One of the best advantages of cloud gaming is that it works on any modern device, regardless of specifications. While the Edge is a more than decent first effort, I think there's still room for improvement as devices like this evolve.
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