The mobile gaming industry—specifically on smartphones—is larger than the PC and console gaming industries combined. While the graphical quality may not be the best, it is the most accessible and affordable option. Unlike PCs and consoles, it allows for gaming anywhere.
Given this popularity, the market has been flooded with smartphone controllers; however, many suffer from being too bulky to carry around easily. The Razer Prio was recently launched in Malaysia—a compact, foldable controller. Is this the mobile controller you should buy?
Specifications
Razer Prio
Connection: USB-C
Charging: None
Battery: None
Analog Sticks: 2 (resistive type)
D-Pad: 1
Multi-function Buttons: 4
Face Buttons: 4
Shoulder Buttons: 4
Haptics/Vibration: None
System Requirements: Android 14 or higher; iOS 18 or higher
Supported Phone Dimensions: Devices up to 7 inches
Size: 101 mm × 67 mm
Weight: 101g
Mobile App: Razer Cortex Mobile
Design
The design of the Prio is an evolution of Razer’s previous smartphone controller, the Kishi. The spring-loaded clamp system used in the Kishi—which holds the device between the left and right controller halves—has been replaced by an elastic cord that creates tension when stretched. When no device is inserted, the Prio can be folded down into a compact form, making it easy to carry in a pocket—something that would be impossible with a Kishi or a Backbone One.
Because the design relies on stretching an elastic cord, the Prio is limited to smartphones with screen sizes between 6.3″ and 7.0″. The smallest device I tested was the iPhone 18 Pro, and the largest was the Galaxy Z Fold Ultra. The Prio is too large for the iPhone Duo and the Galaxy Z Fold8, yet too small for an iPad mini. It is somewhat ironic that the foldable Prio cannot be used with certain compact foldable-screen devices.
This size constraint must be respected because the rubber connector joining the left and right sides of the Prio houses a cable that transmits inputs from the buttons on the left side to the right. If this connecting rubber is stretched to the point of breaking, the Prio will no longer be functional.
Several sets of replaceable rubber inserts are provided for the USB-C connector area. With varying thicknesses, these allow different types of devices to be fitted into the Kishi V2 securely, preventing a loose fit. Throughout my review period, I did not need these inserts because all the devices I tested were used with a protective case. Using a case ensures that the Prio fits snugly onto the phone.
The Prio exclusively supports USB-C connections—unlike previous Kishi models, which offered a Lightning version. In line with the industry-wide shift toward USB-C for modern devices, support for older iPhones is no longer included.
Unlike the Kishi, the Prio lacks a USB-C pass-through port, meaning the device cannot be charged while in use. You should ensure your phone is fully charged before you begin using it. While this is somewhat disappointing, it is a feature that had to be sacrificed to allow the Prio to fold into a more compact form.
Controls
The button layout on the Prio is similar to that of an Xbox controller. On the left side, there is an eight-way D-pad and an analog control stick. Also located on the left are the Home button and a screenshot button.
On the right side, there are four action buttons (X, Y, A, B) positioned at the top, with an analog control stick located below them. Additionally, there is a button to launch the Razer Nexus app, as well as a separate menu button.
The analog control sticks are of the resistive type and support a "press-to-click" (L3/R3) function. They sit flush with the surface of the controller, which makes them feel a bit awkward to use compared to the experience offered by other controllers. This design choice was made to allow the Prio to be folded up without damaging the analog sticks.
There are four shoulder buttons—R1, R2, L1, and L2—equipped with springs that return them to their original position. The L2 and R2 buttons are slightly larger than L1 and R1, but they lack the "pistol-grip" trigger design found on many other gaming controllers. Again, this is to ensure the device can be stored in a compact form factor.
In terms of the user experience, using the Prio 2 feels much like using the Kishi controller. All the action buttons provide haptic feedback (vibration). Furthermore, the buttons feel solid when pressed—thanks to their mechanical nature—and the analog sticks are highly responsive.
While our initial impressions of the Prio have been positive, there are a few drawbacks worth noting. First and foremost, it cannot be used with every mobile game installed on an Android device. I am a huge fan of *COD Mobile*, and using a controller makes the game much more enjoyable by providing precise control.
I can do this when playing COD Mobile on an iPhone. However, as soon as I try to play COD Mobile on Android, the app fails to detect the Prio as a controller. My understanding is that because COD Mobile has an exclusive partnership with another controller manufacturer on Android, its use via the Razer Cortex app is blocked.
There are some tutorials on how to bypass this, but the process is so cumbersome that I’ve opted to simply use the Prio with my iPhone.
Within the Razer Cortex app—which I mentioned a few paragraphs back—there is a list of officially supported mobile games, such as *Knights of the Old Republic*, *Bully: Anniversary Edition*, and *Red Dead Redemption*, as well as the popular PlayStation emulator, ePSXe.
In the Box
Here is what you get in the box with your purchase:
1x Razer Prio
2x Pairs of additional rubber inserts
1x Manual
Conclusion
At RM469, the Razer Prio is quite expensive for a mobile gaming controller. Bluetooth controllers for the PS5 (RM369) and Xbox Series (RM349) are actually cheaper. I can only recommend the Prio to those specifically looking for a compact controller that doesn't require batteries.
Pros
Excellent button and analog stick quality, thanks to the use of mechanical switches.
Does not require batteries to operate.
Built-in quick-access shortcuts for streaming and taking screenshots.
Compact size; fits comfortably in a pocket.
Cons
More expensive than Sony DualSense or Xbox controllers.
Not supported by all apps on Android.
Cannot be used with certain foldable phones.
Lacks a USB-C port for charging the phone while in use.
