The Razer Prio is a pocket accessory that turns your phone into a gaming machine

Designed for movement

The main feature of the Prio controller is its incredible portability. When folded, with dimensions of 107 x 67 x 23 millimeters and a weight of only 101 grams, it really resembles a wallet or a card case. The unique mechanism allows it to be opened with one movement and transformed into a full-sized controller that can accept even the largest smartphones on the market, up to a diagonal of seven inches, including models such as the iPhone 17 Pro Max and the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra. The flexible design fits most thin and medium-thick phone cases, eliminating the need to remove them before playing.

“With the Razer Prio, we set out to erase the trade-offs between portability and precision. It folds down to the size of a credit card, but the moment you open it up, it functions as a full-sized controller. That’s the whole point – gaming wherever you are,” said Travis Furst, Head of AI Hardware and Consoles at Razer.

Controls that surprise

Despiteč with miniature dimensions, Prio offers a complete layout of controls. It is equipped with a tactile four-way D-pad, face buttons, bumpers and analog triggers, which, according to the first reviews, have a surprisingly long stroke, offering precision key for, for example, racing games. The keys are designed to be extremely quiet, which enables discreet playing in public without disturbing the environment. However, the real star is the analog sticks. The Prio is Razer’s first controller to use precision capacitive analog sticks, designed to reduce drift, the problem of unwanted movement that plagues many controllers. Non-contact sensors record movement in high resolution without physical wear and tear, ensuring that targeting remains sharp and stable, even when driving on rough roads. Reviewers, initially skeptical, described them as “just right” for this size, noting that they perform admirably even in shooting, an area where small clubs usually fail.

Simplicity and wide compatibility

Prio connects directly to your phone via a USB-C port, which ensures minimal latency and eliminates the need for Bluetooth pairing or charging a separate battery. It is compatible with devices using iOS 18 (or later) and Android 14 (or later), and can be connected to a computer with the Windows 11 system via a USB-C cable. The controller supports local play of mobile titles, but also popular streaming services such as Xbox Cloud Gaming, Steam Link and PS Remote Play. A dedicated button for the Razer Cortex Mobile app allows quick access to your personal game library in one place.

Although the Prio is an impressive device, it has a few limitations. The lack of a “passthrough” connection means that the phone cannot be charged while playing. The sleek design can also be problematic for phones with extremely large and protruding camera modules or for book-style flip phones. Although reviewers with medium-sized hands praised the comfort, players with larger palms might experience fatigue during longer sessions. The price of the device is $99.99.