During 2024’s bustling Black Friday season, gaming handhelds have taken the spotlight, notably the high-end, feature-rich PC gaming devices like the ASUS ROG Ally. While these are undeniably impressive and I’ve personally enjoyed using mine, they come with hefty price tags. However, there’s a budget-friendly alternative that might have flown under your radar.
Enter the Razer Edge, a powerful Android-based handheld gaming device. It boasts a sleek AMOLED display, removable controls, and an extensive game library. Over a year since its debut, it’s up for grabs at nearly half its original cost. Surprising, right? The Razer Edge is now just $212.48 on Amazon—an unusual price for an undeniably intriguing gadget.
🔥The hottest Black Friday deals🔥
🍁More great Black Friday deals🦃
- Best Buy: Major discounts on video games and accessories.
- Walmart: Early deals on almost everything you could need.
- Target: Ongoing deals across a wide range of items.
- Dell: Discounts on laptops, gaming PCs, and more.
- HP: Big savings on laptops, desktops, and accessories.
- Lenovo: Special offers on Lenovo PCs, monitors, and more.
- Newegg: Discounts on PC gaming accessories and components.
- Razer: Enjoy free shipping for a limited period.
- Samsung: Deals on laptops, TVs, phones, and more.
- Amazon: Constantly rotating sales on endless products.
A misunderstood gaming handheld that deserves some love
Our editorial team at Windows Central believes in transparency, so let me be frank: there’s no way I’d swap my ASUS ROG Ally X for the Razer Edge. The Ally X is the top gaming handheld I’ve ever used. It’s way more powerful and boasts capabilities far beyond the Razer Edge. But with Ally X’s price tag being more than three times that of the Edge—even after Black Friday discounts—that’s a hefty comparison.
When I tested the Razer Edge, I lauded its solid performance, vibrant AMOLED screen, and the versatility of its Android platform. At that time, it was priced at a steep $400, but now you can own one for nearly half of that cost. So, what’s the catch?
The Razer Edge distinguishes itself from other gaming handhelds with its unique appeal. While the ASUS ROG Ally resembles a full-on Windows PC—offering, in my opinion, better value compared to even an Xbox Series S—it’s large, weighty, and significantly pricier. In contrast, the Razer Edge feels more like a robust smartphone or compact tablet optimized for gaming right from the start.
The device runs on Android, which is operative on billions of smartphones, allowing access to massive gaming libraries: the expansive collection of mobile games on Google Play Store, communities centered on classic game emulation, and game-streaming options for titles from Xbox and PCs via platforms like Xbox Cloud Gaming.
To deliver a seamless gaming experience, Razer incorporated Qualcomm’s top gaming-centric ARM chipset of the era, a smooth 144Hz OLED display, and bundled their Razer Kishi V2 Pro controller. This combination ensures top-notch performance all around, along with unique features like virtual control emulation and real-time audio-to-haptics feedback.
I do wish the Razer Edge had a more traditional handheld console design and that Razer pushed further with their software enhancements—similar to what Logitech offers with the G Cloud Android handheld. Still, for those seeking an affordable, portable gaming solution, the Razer Edge is a solid option. At just $212.48 on Amazon, it’s a steal. Additionally, those with small tablets or powerful smartphones can transform their device into a gaming handheld using the Razer Kishi Ultra mobile controller, currently on sale for $129.99 on Amazon.
When is Black Friday?
Black Friday technically falls on Nov. 29, 2024, but the sales kick off earlier each year. Retailers are increasingly proactive, rolling out discounts well before the main event in a bid to attract shoppers early. This can mean spotting Black Friday-like deals as early as October, making it wise to capitalize on these early bargains instead of risking stock shortages on the actual day.
When is Cyber Monday?
Cyber Monday lands on Dec. 2, 2024, this year. While traditionally seen as Black Friday’s online counterpart, the lines between them have blurred as digital shopping grows. If you happen to miss out on Black Friday deals, Cyber Monday might offer a second shot. The best strategy, though, is planning ahead and wrapping up holiday shopping well before the rush.
