Introducing the Razer Edge: A Powerful Portable Android Console with 5G and Wi-Fi Capabilities

The Razer Edge, a new portable console, has finally announced its official launch date in the US. On January 26, the console will debut in partnership with Verizon and will be available in both 5G and Wi-Fi versions.

The Razer Edge Wi-Fi will be sold for $400, while the company's Founders Edition will include the Razer Hammerhead True Wireless (2021) earbuds for $500. The 5G version, exclusive to Verizon, will be sold for $600, but users can get it for $360 with a 36-month contract of $10 per month. Additionally, purchasing a 5G smartphone with the console will drop the Edge's price to $180.

The Razer Edge is a potential alternative to the Nintendo Switch and Steam Deck, but it does have some limitations. It is powered by a Qualcomm Snapdragon G3x Gen 1, based on the Snapdragon 888, and is a mobile device, so it will not have the same gaming capabilities as the Steam Deck. However, it does have active cooling and a powerful CPU paired with up to 8 GB of LPDDR5 RAM and 128 GB of UFS 3.1 storage, which is expandable via a microSD card up to 2 TB. The console also comes with a detachable Kishi V2 Pro controller.

One of the biggest advantages of the Razer Edge is its gorgeous 6.8-inch AMOLED screen with 2,400 x 1,080 pixels of resolution and a 144 Hz refresh rate. This is compared to the Nintendo Switch and Steam Deck's 7-inch screens with only a 720p resolution and 60 Hz refresh rate. The Razer Edge also offers streaming services such as Microsoft's Xbox Cloud Gaming and NVIDIA GeForce Now, as well as the ability to run games from the Google Play Store.

In terms of connectivity, the Razer Edge has Wi-Fi 6E and 5G support, Bluetooth 5.2, and a 3.5 mm audio jack. It also has a 5 MP front-facing camera and 2-way speakers with THX Spatial Audio. The console's battery has a capacity of 5,000 mAh, which may not be enough for demanding tasks. The device weighs 264g without the controller and 540g with the controller.

Razer has yet to announce availability in other global markets, but hopefully, other regions will have access to both Wi-Fi and 5G versions without carrier exclusivity. The Razer Edge offers a new portable gaming experience with impressive features and capabilities, but it also comes with its own set of limitations and compromises.