The upcoming Razer Edge, a gaming handheld built for streaming, may change how players interact with cloud games. With a 6.8-inch AMOLED display at 2,400 x 1,080 FHD+ resolution with a 144Hz refresh rate, the Razer Edge and Razer Edge 5G from Verizon start at $360 and are designed for ever-connected mobile play. Razer says its latest handhelds are the first developed exclusively for the latest Snapdragon G3x Gen 1 Gaming Platform. They include active cooling “for long gaming sessions playing top AAA titles and native games on the go without having to compromise performance.”

Gamers have been enjoying mobile game options that range from phone attachments (the Backbone One controller for iOS and Android) to dedicated handhelds like the Logitech G Cloud (Android only) and Steam Deck 5. Then there’s Asus’ built-for-games ROG Phone 5.

“However, those solutions each come with their own compromises” ranging from fast-draining batteries to, in some cases, a lack of 5G support “for playing out in the wild,” writes CNN, which identifies the Razer Edge, announced at CES 2023, as “shaping up to be the best take on the concept.”

In addition to 5G to augment its Wi-Fi offering, the Razer Edge “solves a lot of problems,” including non-removable controls, CNN says, calling it “just about the most powerful Android device out there for playing Play Store games and streaming titles from Xbox Game Pass and Nvidia GeForce Now, as well as a mini tablet with a great screen for binging movies when you’re not gaming.”

When it comes to software, the Edge runs full Android 12L, which means you can access Google Play Store apps for everything from gaming to productivity. Plus, “a dedicated button on the Kishi controller opens up the Razer Nexus app, which provides quick access to services such as Xbox Game Pass and Nvidia GeForce Now while offering curated lists of Play Store games that offer gamepad support (something Google itself doesn’t do),” CNN reports.

“Razer even got Valve to update its Steam Link app for this device, meaning you’ll be able to stream your favorite PC games directly from your computer when you’re away from your rig.”

Android Police lauds Razer’s approach to Edge software, saying “the slickest stuff happens when you dive into its custom interface. Here, you’ll find a curated selection of Android titles” that support Razer’s controller input, “as well as easy access to all your favorite cloud gaming services.” The menu ties to a quick-launch controller button that lets you “jump around between games while feeling like you’re on a dedicated console.”

The Razer Edge and Edge 5G ship later this month and are available for pre-order.