Phone controllers are cool. Carrying one around? Not so much. It’s kind of ironic because your phone fits in your pocket, but its controller demands a bag, a dedicated compartment, and possibly its own boarding pass. So much for mobile gaming, huh? That is, until the Razer Prio comes along.
It’s a foldable USB-C controller that twists open when duty calls. Well, gaming duty, obviously. Folded, it measures 107 x 67 x 23 mm (4.2 x 2.6 x 0.9 inches) and weighs just 101 g (3.6 oz). This means your trousers can stand down from their industrial-strength assignment.
Despite the compact package, it includes thumbsticks, a four-way D-pad, face buttons, bumpers, and triggers. Basically, everything you expect from a modern-day game controller. The capacitive analog sticks use contactless sensing to reduce drift, while silent tactile face buttons spare fellow commuters your frantic button-mashing soundtrack. Though it cannot stop you from swearing when you get sniped in the one place you thought nobody could see you.
Prio connects directly over USB-C, requiring neither Bluetooth pairing nor a separate battery to charge. It accommodates phones up to 7 inches, including many wearing slim to medium cases, and supports iPhones running iOS 18 and Android devices running Android 14 or later.
Beyond compatible mobile games, it supports streaming through Xbox Cloud Gaming, Steam Link, PS Remote Play, and Razer PC Remote Play. It’s good news because now a delayed train can ruin your punctuality, but it cannot ruin your kill streak. But not for me. I sucks in every game, so it is not going to make me a gaming god. Oh, well…
The Razer Prio Foldable Mobile Controller can be had for US$99.99 as we speak if anyone’s interested.
Images: Razer.