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Razer Prio review: The first mobile controller I've actually wanted to carry everywhere
Mobile gaming controllers have come a long way over the last few years, but they all suffer from one common flaw: they're rarely as portable as the phones they're designed to enhance.
That's always seemed ironic to me. Smartphones fit in our pockets, but many mobile controllers require a dedicated carrying case or space in a backpack. At that point, I often find myself wondering why I didn't just bring a handheld gaming PC instead.
That's exactly the problem the new $99 Razer Prio aims to solve.
Rather than chasing the biggest grips or most console-like ergonomics, Razer built something fundamentally different. The Prio folds into a compact package measuring just 107mm by 67mm when closed, making it roughly credit card-sized in length and width, while weighing only 101 grams.
It's the first mobile controller I've used that genuinely disappears into a pocket.
And that's what makes it special.
Razer had no input, nor did it see the contents of this review, prior to publication.
A clever design that solves a real problem
The Prio's standout feature is its unique folding mechanism.
Using an interlocking design, each half rotates and folds inward, transforming from a compact rectangle into a full mobile controller. Razer's engineers deserve credit here because this doesn't feel like a gimmick. It's solving a legitimate problem that nearly every competing product ignores.
The trade-off, however, is that setup isn't immediately intuitive.
The first few times I unfolded the Prio, I found myself fumbling with the locking mechanism and trying to remember exactly which piece rotated where. Razer could absolutely improve the onboarding experience with clearer instructions.
Fortunately, the learning curve doesn't last long. After a handful of uses, unfolding the controller becomes second nature, and you begin to appreciate just how clever the entire design is.
More importantly, because it's so small, I actually carried it around.
That's a bigger compliment than it may sound. Many mobile controllers are technically portable but not especially convenient. The Prio is different because you can toss it in a pocket and completely forget it's there until you need it.
Small controls, surprisingly good results
Once unfolded, the Prio reveals a complete controller layout that includes dual thumbsticks, a D-pad, bumpers, triggers, face buttons, and dedicated function buttons.
Naturally, any controller this compact requires compromises.
The thumbsticks are noticeably smaller than what you'd find on a traditional controller, and the face buttons reflect the Prio's portable-first design philosophy. If you're expecting Xbox controller levels of comfort, you'll need to temper expectations.
That said, I liked using them more than I expected.
The D-pad feels tactile and responsive, the face buttons provide good feedback, and the thumbsticks are particularly interesting. Razer uses capacitive thumbsticks with contactless sensors that can detect movement without relying on traditional mechanical contacts. In theory, that means improved durability and resistance to stick drift compared with conventional designs.
During testing with games like Brotato and Xbox Cloud Gaming titles, controls felt accurate and responsive. Because the Prio connects directly through USB-C rather than Bluetooth, I also never noticed any input lag, pairing issues, or connectivity problems.
No Bluetooth and USB-C also means the Prio itself never needs charging, which again adds to the convenience factor, as it's one less thing to think about if you want a quick gaming sesh at the doctor's office.
The triggers deserve a special mention. They're perfectly usable, but they're also one of the areas where the compact size makes itself known. The L2 and R2 triggers feel a little unusual compared to traditional controllers and are somewhat clickier than expected. They get the job done, but nobody is going to mistake them for premium full-sized controller triggers.
Better than touch controls, and that's what matters
One mistake readers might make is comparing the Prio directly against controllers like the Razer Kishi V3 Pro, which got high praise from us.
That's not really the point.
The Prio isn't designed to be the most ergonomic controller available. It's designed to be the controller you're willing to carry every day.
During longer gaming sessions of around an hour, the smaller controls do start to make their presence known. My hands were definitely more aware of the compact design than they would be with something like a Kishi V3 Pro.
But here's the thing: I'd still choose the Prio over touchscreen controls every single time.
In fact, that's the comparison that matters most.
Playing action games with virtual buttons often causes hand fatigue and cramping much faster than using the Prio. The tactile controls provide actual feedback, keep your thumbs off the display, and make games considerably more comfortable to play.
If you're already gaming primarily with on-screen controls, the Prio feels like a massive quality-of-life upgrade.
Wide compatibility and a surprisingly good software experience
Razer says the Prio supports USB-C smartphones up to 188mm in length and cases up to 15mm thick. It also works with both Android phones and modern USB-C iPhones.
My foldable phones like the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold7 worked too, albeit with a caveat. Ironically, I found the best experience with my Fold devices was actually in their unfolded tablet mode. While that may seem counterintuitive for such a compact controller, gaming on a larger foldable display paired with the Prio was surprisingly enjoyable.
The included spacers and bumpers also make fitting phones straightforward, even when using cases. For instance, I had no issues using the Prio with my Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra with a Pitaka case (you just have to swap out or remove the internal bumper/pads).
Then there's Razer Cortex.
The dedicated Cortex button launches Razer's gaming software, which automatically gathers installed games into a centralized library. The experience feels somewhat similar to using a Steam Deck or handheld gaming PC launcher, making it easier to jump into games without digging through app drawers.
The controller supports not only mobile games but also cloud and remote streaming services, including Xbox Cloud Gaming, Steam Link, PlayStation Remote Play, and Razer PC Remote Play.
One limitation worth mentioning is that not every mobile game benefits from the Prio. Some popular titles remain locked to portrait orientation. Games like 1945 Air Force and Raiden Fighter simply aren't designed around horizontal controller gameplay, so the Prio doesn't add much value there.
For more console-style mobile games, however, it's an excellent fit.
Competition
The Prio's biggest competition may come from within Razer's own lineup.
The Razer Kishi V3 and Kishi V3 Pro offer larger controls, better ergonomics, and a more traditional controller experience. They're excellent options for couch gaming or tossing in a backpack.
The Prio takes a different approach.
Those controllers are portable. The Prio is pocketable. That distinction ends up making all the difference.
Sure, there are some other great options like the Backbone One Xbox Edition ($109), Abxylute S9 ($99), and even Razer's Razer Kishi Ultra, which all got excellent reviews from us and are great mobile controllers, but none of them are .... well, pocketable.
Should you buy it?
✅You should buy this if...
- You want a pocketable mobile controller
- You want a step up from on-screen controls
- You cloud game or play horizontally-formatted games
❌You shouldn't buy this if...
- You have a foldable phone (maybe)
- You prefer more comfort over portability
The Razer Prio succeeds because it understands the assignment.
Rather than trying to become another bulky mobile controller, it prioritizes portability without sacrificing too much functionality. The result is a controller that's more comfortable than touchscreen gaming, more practical than many competitors, and genuinely easy to keep with you every day.
At $99.99, it sits right on the edge of what feels reasonable. Personally, I think $79.99 would be the sweet spot. But Razer also made the smart decision not to push pricing too close to the far more premium Kishi V3 Pro ($149.99), and there are certainly more expensive mobile controllers on the market.
The controls are small. The setup is initially quirky. The all-black design could use a splash of classic Razer green.
None of those complaints change the fundamental reality: the Prio solves a real problem.
And if you've ever left a mobile controller at home because it was simply too big to carry around, the Razer Prio might be exactly what you've been waiting for.
The Razer Prio isn’t out to win any “biggest, cushiest controller” awards—it’s gunning for the gold in portability. With a clever foldable design that shrinks down to about the size of a credit card, it’s one of the rare mobile controllers you might actually slip into your pocket instead of leaving it to gather dust at home.
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