In 2024, gaming handhelds have taken the spotlight, especially as Black Friday rolls around. Most of the buzz has been about the robust, feature-rich PC gaming devices like the ASUS ROG Ally. While these gadgets are impressive (I’m pretty fond of mine), they do come with a hefty price tag. If you’re looking for something more budget-friendly, there’s an alternative you might not have considered yet.
Meet the Razer Edge, a powerful Android-powered gaming handheld that boasts a vibrant AMOLED display, detachable controls, and an extensive game library. Now, more than a year since its debut, it’s available at an irresistible price – nearly half off its original cost. Yes, you heard it right! The Razer Edge can be yours for just $212.48 on Amazon, an unusual but intriguing price for an equally intriguing device.
### 🔥 The hottest Black Friday deals 🔥
### 🍁 More great Black Friday deals 🦃
At Best Buy, you’ll find big savings on video games and accessories, while Walmart offers early discounts on almost everything. Target has live deals across a vast range of products, and Dell is slashing prices on laptops, gaming PCs, and more. HP and Lenovo are offering significant savings on laptops, desktops, and accessories, with Lenovo’s doorbuster deals standing out. Newegg has savings on PC gaming accessories, and Razer provides free shipping for a limited time. Check out Samsung’s holiday discounts on laptops, TVs, and phones. Meanwhile, Amazon offers constantly rotating deals on just about everything you can think of.
## A misunderstood gaming handheld that deserves some love
At Windows Central, we believe in honesty, so I’ve got to admit: I wouldn’t trade my ASUS ROG Ally X for a Razer Edge. The ROG Ally X remains the most impressive gaming handheld I’ve ever handled – its power and capabilities are unmatched. However, it’s also priced at more than three times the cost of the Razer Edge, even with its Black Friday discount, which is quite expected.
When I first reviewed the Razer Edge, I found its performance, AMOLED display, and Android ecosystem versatility praiseworthy – and that was at a steep $400. Now, it’s a steal at nearly half that price. But you might wonder, why should you consider it?
Unlike the other gaming handhelds available, the Razer Edge isn’t just another device. The ASUS ROG Ally might be a complete Windows PC with better value than an Xbox Series S, thanks to current deals. Yet, it’s bulkier, heavier, and a lot more costly. Compared to that, the Razer Edge feels like a souped-up smartphone or a compact tablet with only one purpose: gaming.
The core of the Razer Edge experience is Android. This operating system fuels over a billion smartphones and grants access to three vast game libraries: the sprawling collection of mobile games on Google Play Store (many now featuring console-level quality and controller support), a thriving classic game emulation scene, and the ability to stream practically any Xbox or PC game via services like Xbox Cloud Gaming.
Razer has equipped the Edge with Qualcomm’s top-tier gaming-focused ARM chipset of its time, a smooth 144Hz OLED screen, and included its Razer Kishi V2 Pro mobile controller right in the package. Together, they ensure a high-performing experience, aided by unique features like virtual control emulation for touch-only games and real-time audio-to-haptics conversion for tactile feedback.
I do wish the Razer Edge had a design more akin to a conventional handheld console and that Razer had ramped up its software features – like the Logitech G Cloud’s Android handheld does. However, for those who want an easy-to-carry and cost-effective gaming solution on-the-go, the Razer Edge is a solid contender. Especially now, priced at just $212.48 on Amazon, it becomes an enticing option. If you already own a small tablet or a powerful smartphone, simply adding the Razer Kishi Ultra mobile controller, available at $129.99 on sale at Amazon, can transform your device into a commendable Android-powered gaming handheld.
### When is Black Friday?
Black Friday falls on November 29, 2024, though this shopping extravaganza seems to kick off earlier each year. Retailers have become more proactive, launching discounts well ahead of the big day to catch consumers’ attention. You might start spotting early Black Friday deals as soon as October rolls around. Since Black Friday can often be chaotic, with potential stock shortages, grabbing early bargains often proves a wise strategy.
### When is Cyber Monday?
This year, Cyber Monday will land on December 2, 2024. Originally, it was the digital counterpart to Black Friday, but as more businesses extend their online presence, the two events have largely merged. Should you miss out on Black Friday deals, Cyber Monday offers another chance. However, savvy shoppers are already taking advantage of early deals to wrap up their holiday shopping weeks ahead of time.