Razer Kishi review - The ultimate smartphone controller - Android

Despite being a 50-billion-dollar industry, smartphone gaming is really still finding its footing. Most smartphone controllers on the market are simply console controllers with a smartphone stand attached, which can lead to bulky contraptions that are a major hindrance to portability. Switch-like controllers, such as the Razer Junglecat, seek to solve this problem by sandwiching your phone between two gamepads. Can Razer’s latest effort solve the compatibility problems that plagued previous efforts? Here is Android Authority’s Razer Kishi review.

What is the Razer Kishi?

The Razer Kishi is a telescopic mobile controller that fits snugly around a wide variety of smartphone screens. It connects directly to your phone’s USB-C port, which offers much lower latency than Bluetooth controllers. Another advantage of this approach is that the controller doesn’t ever run out of battery life or drop the connection. However, this also means that the Razer Kishi is mobile-only; it isn’t designed to work with PCs or consoles.

Still, despite its hefty design that’s significantly larger than Nintendo’s Joy-Cons, it’s one of the best mobile gamepads on the market. The Razer Kishi’s price tag is set at $79.99 / €89.99, which is expensive though still cheaper than previous Razer gamepads such as the Junglecat and Raiju. Most off-brand, Switch-like controllers are around $50, making the Kishi’s price a premium yet still competitive.

How does the Razer Kishi work?

This Razer gamepad was made in partnership with Gamevice, which makes a number of similar wrap-around smartphone and tablet controllers. The Razer Kishi is essentially two halves of a controller connected by an elastic band in the back. Your phone plugs into the USB-C connector on the right hand side, and slips into another padded slot on the left for a secure fit.

When not being used, the controller folds up into a compact shape that’s smaller and lighter than a traditional controller, making it perfect for taking with you wherever you go. The two sides lock together so you don’t have to worry about it flopping around in your bag. In fact, the latches on the back could be stiff and difficult to open when locked.

While not in use, the Razer Kishi folds into a light, compact package.

Once plugged in, it works just like any other controller plugged into a phone with an OTG cable. It isn’t required, but there is a Razer Kishi app on the Google Play Store that lists all of the games compatible with the controller. You’ll also use the app to update the firmware of the controller, so it’s worth the download if you buy the Kishi.

It has all the inputs you’d expect from a console controller: an eight-way D-pad, two clickable analog sticks, two triggers, two bumpers, and more.

It should go without saying that the Razer Kishi will not work for games in portrait mode, but few of these support controller inputs anyway.

Who is the Razer Kishi for?

Both casual and avid gamers alike will find a lot to like in the Razer Kishi. It’s relatively compact, but it’s also larger than Nintendo’s Joy-Cons or the Razer Junglecat. This makes it a better choice for people with large hands. It’s also exceptionally light, so holding it for long gaming sessions won’t wear you out.

Whether it’s for retro gaming on an emulator or playing controller-enabled games such as Fortnite, Dead Cells, or Stardew Valley, the Kishi really gets the job done. The only downside is a slightly mushy D-pad, so fighting game aficionados might want to look elsewhere.

What phones are compatible?

One of the best things about this Razer gamepad is just how widely compatible it is. The list of Razer Kishi-compatible phones covers just about any Android phone with USB-C charging. (You will almost certainly need to remove any phone cases while using the controller.) The inside is soft rubber, so you don’t have to worry about it scratching your phone or slipping loose while gaming.

Compatibility extends from smaller phones such as the Google Pixel 3 to large phones such as the Samsung Galaxy Note 10 Plus and other gaming phones. Extremely large phones such as the Samsung Galaxy S20 Ultra will not fit. Razer lists the following Razer Kishi compatibility limits:

• Height: 145.3 – 163.7mm
• Width: 68.2 – 78.1mm
• Depth: 7.0 – 8.8mm

By way of comparison, the Razer Junglecat requires a different case for each model of phone, severely limiting compatibility. Those issues are virtually eliminated with the Razer Kishi. There is a downside to this approach, however, as headphone ports on the top or bottom of a phone will be covered and unusable. There are two relief holes for bottom firing speakers, but the only way to get decent sound is with a good pair of Bluetooth headphones.

If you’re thinking of using a pair of USB-C headphones or a wired gaming headset, they won’t work either. The USB-C port on the bottom of the controller is only for pass-through charging. This is a bit disappointing. Adding a headphone jack to the body of the Razer Kishi would have truly made it the perfect mobile gamepad.

Does the Kishi work with iPhones?

Since the Razer Kishi plugs directly into a phone’s charging port, there are two separate versions, one for Android and one for iOS. The Android version of the Razer Kishi was released on June 9, but the version for iPhones isn’t expected until later this summer.

How about cloud gaming?