Razer is no stranger to designing compact controllers for mobile gaming. The brand dropped its first mobile-focused peripheral in 2018, and we’ve since seen half a dozen iterations. The Razer Prio, available now, is the newest mobile controller, and their most compact yet. Similar to Razer’s other mobile controllers, the Prio plugs directly into your phone’s charging port. It’s designed for use only on devices with a USB-C plugin. So unfortunately for me and my old iPhone 13 Pro Max, I had to find the right hardware to test it on. Luckily my partner’s iPhone 15 was available to act as my guinea pig for this review.
I was initially impressed by the Prio’s form factor. The device measures in at roughly the same length and width of a credit card when folded in. It easily fits in my pocket and backpack, and was never really a hassle. It also weighs a measly 101 grams, so it’s an easy item to take with you on flights or train rides. It’s also intended for public use at, say, a doctor’s office waiting room, thanks to its nearly silent button presses. The face buttons were all pretty quiet, with the shoulder buttons making the most sound while still maintaining low decibels on their own.
On the Go
Attaching it to my phone is a cinch. Simply plug the USB-C end into the phone and use the elastic band to reach the other end. The Prio is designed for Android and iPhone devices for up to 7in., so a wide variety of devices are compatible. You can even use the Prio on phones with cases up to 15mm thick. I didn’t get to test this option, but it fit well on the unprotected iPhone 15, and taking it off was just as easy. When not in use, it’s foldable into its compact form. This got a bit annoying at first, as figuring out which pegs fit into which holes was a bit of a puzzle itself. But after a few reps it became second nature.
While I definitely appreciated its compact nature and convenience factor at first, your mileage may vary when it comes to ergonomics. I have above average sized hands, and I found my fingers getting a little cramped up during longer gaming sessions. Playing games like Diablo Immortal require a lot repetitive button presses, and the Prio’s small form factor made this somewhat uncomfortable. Even the thumbsticks, both of which are located on the bottom of each side, are a little smaller than I’d have liked. My thumbs often slide off them while playing. They’re responsive and snappy, but again the small form factor needs to be considered.
No Drift This Time
Speaking of the sticks, I’m pleased to report that drift is nonexistent. They’re TMR joytsicks, which stands for tunnel magnetoresistance. Essentially, this is a technology to help mitigate the effects of stick drift that’s a bit more efficient than Hall Effect sticks, which the two shoulder triggers use. These are very snappy and feel great, and are comparable to the Xbox controller’s triggers — the highest of praise.
The Prio is compatible with basically any mobile game. Anything you can download on your phone from iOS games to Razer PC Remote Play is playable with this peripheral. I played a variety of different titles to get a sense of how it feels, from Diablo Immortal and Vampire Survivors to Balatro and Genshin Impact. Playing some games that don’t require much engagement like Vampire Survivors with the Prio was a paradise, as I’m someone who really dislikes touchscreen controls. But with more intensive games like Genshin Impact my hands become a little stiff after longer sessions.
Verdict
The Razer Prio is a great new addition to the brand’s mobile game controller catalogue. It’s also one of the smallest and lightest peripherals around. It’s shame there’s no way to adapt it to older phones that don’t use USB-C. But as time goes and people upgrade devices this is a small issue. And it’s hard to deny its small form factor makes it an extremely convenient little device to have on hand to kill time. This convenience is balanced against the lack of comfort and ergonomic handling players with larger hands will deal with, but overall this is an easy piece of hardware to recommend for those who primarily game on the go.
Score: 8/10
The Razer Prio is available now directly through Razer and select retailers for $99.99.
