With the Edge 5G, Razer is leveling up the performance of cloud gaming thanks to the inclusion of Verizon’s 5G network connectivity. Although, the 5G support isn’t the only thing that promises a boosted experience for cloud gaming in a portable device. The Edge 5G (as well as the WiFi-only model) come with a fast refresh rate display of 144Hz. So games should be smoother when you’re playing a game that supports faster refresh rates.
The display is also an FHD+ AMOLED panel so things will look nicer visually, too. I’ve been spending a little time with Razer’s new gaming device and so far, I like what I see. With that in mind, I wanted to give some initial impressions of the Razer Edge 5G and its performance prior to a full review, which will come a bit later on. On paper the device sounds exciting. And after using Logitech’s G Cloud (which is also a great device) I had high hopes for what Razer was going to offer.
In practice, I think Razer pretty much nailed it. The Edge 5G is a great handheld device for gaming in the cloud. But it also serves as a pretty good device for mobile gaming. Or emulation. And even remote play using Steam Link. That being said, here are my thoughts on it so far.
The Razer Edge 5G offers great performance on mobile data, mostly
This point comes with an asterisk. Because although the Razer Edge 5G allows for a connection to Verizon’s network, it’s not always optimal. Admittedly, I’ve had very little time so far to test the 5G connection for cloud gaming. And that is the main selling point of this version so I can’t give a full accounting of the performance while on 5G. I can however highlight some initial observations.
When I say the device works “mostly” great on mobile data, that’s because you really need to be connected to a blazing fast (and stable) connection. So far, I have only tested the 5G connection at my house. And based on Verizon’s coverage map, I do get 5G Ultrawideband coverage there. However, the games I’ve tested on 5G so far didn’t feel like they were that much different from when connected to WiFi. And I believe that mostly comes down to the reliability and speed of the 5G Ultrawideband where I live.
While the coverage is there, it’s not the fastest 5G Verizon offers. With me getting 125Mbps download speeds on average. My WiFi connection meanwhile is faster and definitely made the gameplay feel a little better. While also smoothing out some of the rough edges (no pun intended) of the visuals.
Initial game testing
So far, I’ve booted up games like Hi-Fi Rush, Cyberpunk 2077, and Loopmancer. And all have run relatively fine. Hi-Fi Rush is available on Game Pass while the latter two are accessible through GeForce NOW, where I own both those games. I feel like this is an important distinction because in my experience, in most cases, GeForce NOW is noticeably smoother than Game Pass when it comes to cloud gaming.
To circle back to the point, cloud gaming on this device using 5G can be a great experience. But, expect that you’ll need to be in the middle of a widely covered area. And somewhere the speeds are fastest is likely to give you the best-looking visuals and stream performance.
The Kishi V2 Pro makes a big difference
While you could use this device with the standard Razer Kishi V2, which I do love, there’s no reason to. Unless your Kishi V2 Pro breaks or you misplace it and the non-pro model is the only one you have on hand. The Kishi V2 Pro is for the most part the same. But it adds two important upgrades that I believe make a big difference. It adds the 3.5mm headset port and it comes with haptics for games that support them.
These definitely make games more enjoyable as the haptics bring a slight sense of immersion, and the 3.5mm headset port ensures you can minimize battery drain while you play using headphones. All-in-all, they’re excellent feature additions to an already great controller. Though I wish they were standard from the get-go.
That being said, you also don’t have to use a wired headset with this device. And the haptics can be turned off if you prefer not to use them.
Final thoughts
So far, the Razer Edge 5G is a fun device for cloud gaming. And if you’re looking for this type of device with a little extra oomph, it’s a solid buy. At $300 more than the Logitech G Cloud, it’s not going to sway everyone. Because both devices are built for the same thing. Cloud gaming.
But, the Razer Edge 5G does offer additional features to enhance the experience. Being able to play games in the cloud over mobile data has huge advantages. And the inclusion of the higher resolution display as well as a larger storage amount for mobile games only improves things. Speaking of mobile games, the Edge 5G is more powerful on the hardware front, too. So, while costly, this is a dedicated gaming device that is less limiting than its competition.
There’s still more I need to test with the Razer Edge 5G, like Steam Link and 5G cloud gaming with a faster, more reliable connection, the device leaves a great first impression.