In 2024, gaming handhelds have captured the spotlight, especially as the Black Friday season approaches. Much of the buzz has centered on the big, flashy, and feature-loaded PC gaming handhelds like the ASUS ROG Ally. I’m a fan of these handhelds myself, but there’s no denying their hefty price tag. However, there’s a budget-friendly option worth considering that might not have crossed many people’s minds yet.
Let’s talk about the Razer Edge—an Android-based gaming handheld that offers impressive performance, a sleek AMOLED display, detachable controls, and access to a vast game library. Even after more than a year on the market, it’s become a real bargain. You can snag one for just $212.48 on Amazon. Yes, you read that right. It’s a quirky price for a unique gadget.
🔥 The hottest Black Friday deals 🔥
🍁 More great Black Friday deals 🦃
- Best Buy: Fantastic discounts on video games, accessories, and more.
- Walmart: Early deals on just about everything you can think of.
- Target: Live deals covering a wide range of products.
- Dell: Unbeatable offers on laptops, gaming PCs, and accessories.
- HP: Big savings on laptops, desktops, and more.
- Lenovo: Doorbuster deals on all Lenovo PCs, monitors, and accessories.
- Newegg: Discounts on PC gaming gear, components, and more.
- Razer: Enjoy free shipping for a limited time.
- Samsung: Holiday deals on laptops, TVs, phones, and more are happening now.
- Amazon: Constantly changing sales on every imaginable item.
A hidden gem among gaming handhelds
Here at Windows Central, we’re all about being upfront with our opinions, so I’ll be honest—I wouldn’t trade my ASUS ROG Ally X for a Razer Edge. That being said, if you consider the price difference, it makes sense. The ROG Ally X costs over three times what the Razer Edge does, even with Black Friday deals, but you get what you pay for.
When I originally reviewed the Razer Edge, I highlighted its stellar performance, vibrant AMOLED display, and the flexibility that comes with Android. Back then, it retailed for a hefty $400. Now, with the price slashed nearly in half, it presents a compelling option. So, why should you consider it?
The Razer Edge stands out from the pack of gaming handhelds. While the ASUS ROG Ally acts like a full-fledged Windows PC (and currently offers better value than even an Xbox Series S in my view), it’s bulkier and substantially more expensive. The Razer Edge, by contrast, feels like a robust smartphone or a small tablet, purpose-built for gaming.
The heart of its allure is Android. Picture this: the Edge draws upon an operating system used by over a billion smartphones, giving you access to three huge game libraries. There’s the expansive catalog of mobile games on Google Play, a thriving emulation scene of classic titles, and streaming options to play just about any Xbox or PC game using services like Xbox Cloud Gaming.
To make sure you have a great experience, Razer packed in Qualcomm’s top gaming-ready ARM chipset of its time, included a silky smooth 144Hz OLED display, and bundled the Razer Kishi V2 Pro controller. As a result, you get solid performance along with unique features like virtual control emulation, letting you use the physical controllers even in touch-only games, and audio-to-haptics, turning game audio into real-time haptic feedback.
I do wish the Razer Edge embraced the form factor of a traditional handheld console and that Razer expanded its software a bit more—something the Logitech G Cloud gets right. But if you’re after a casual, portable gaming experience that won’t break the bank, the Razer Edge is worth a look. At $212.48 on Amazon, it’s an outstanding choice. Plus, if you already own a small tablet or a powerful smartphone, you can transform your device into a top-tier Android gaming handheld using the Razer Kishi Ultra mobile controller, also on sale for $129.99 on Amazon.
When is Black Friday?
Mark your calendars for November 29, 2024. But in reality, Black Friday kicks off earlier every year, as retailers attempt to draw shoppers with early discounts. You might even spot Black Friday deals as soon as October. Stock shortages make diving into early sales a wise strategy.
When is Cyber Monday?
This year, Cyber Monday lands on December 2, 2024. While it started as the online counterpart to Black Friday, now these events often overlap as more retailers migrate their sales online. If you miss Black Friday, Cyber Monday provides a second chance for snatching up deals. Showing some foresight and wrapping up holiday shopping early is always a winning tactic.
