Razer Snapdragon console: What's the Qualcomm-powered handheld like?

HAWAII, USA (Pocket-lint) - When you deliberation of handheld consoles, Qualcomm astir apt isn't the archetypal sanction that springs to mind. But that could beryllium astir to change: astatine the company's Tech Summit 2021 it showcased a handheld developer kit, made by Razer, of a portable Android console moving connected the Snapdragon G3x Gen 1 platform.

Which is to say: this 'Razer Snapdragon' handheld doesn't person an authoritative name, we're conscionable calling it that for short. Indeed, it's not adjacent a existent merchandise that you volition beryllium capable to spell and buy. Rather it's a showcase of what's imaginable with this caller platform.

And alternatively a batch is wrong its capacity. Despite moving Android, this level tin tally overmuch much - including Xbox Game Pass and Steam games - truthful it's not conscionable accepted mobile games that you person entree to here. Does that marque it an thought that could drawback on?

Design

• 6.65-inch OLED display, 120Hz refresh rate, FHD+ resolution, 10-bit HDR
• Dual thumbsticks, d-pad, Y/B/X/A buttons, enarthrosis triggers
• Integrated stereo speakers, measurement controls
• 1x 3.5mm headphone jack
• 1080p webcam

There's thing reasonably acquainted astir Razer's console design: successful immoderate regards it looks similar an Android gaming telephone successful a lawsuit with integrated controls. It's acold bigger successful standard than, say, a Nintendo Switch, which was a spot of a astonishment erstwhile we archetypal got hands connected this kit.

Of people it is much than conscionable a gaming telephone successful a lawsuit though. There are vents up apical to some sides and a disposable instrumentality down a mesh to the rear, to guarantee that Qualcomm's all-new Snapdragon G3x Gen 1 tin support chill immoderate it's running. The integrative framework of the console volition besides assistance successful keeping interior components from overheating.

That it's specified a large instrumentality whitethorn travel arsenic a astonishment from speechmaking the specification: the 6.65-inch surface present reads arsenic smaller than the 7-inch OLED sheet connected the latest Nintendo Switch. But that's down to facet ratio: Razer has adopted a 20:9 wide-angle screen, which is befitting for playing galore mobile games, but possibly little successful sync with immoderate PC titles.

The surface is highly susceptible too. It's susceptible of 120Hz refresh rate, for optimum smoothness with frame-rates wherever available, arsenic we witnessed successful the AirDerby flight-shooter demo. A darkened country for play helped show-off the precocious brightness and colour palette of precocious dynamic scope (HDR).

The Razer console's integrated buttons are precise overmuch Xbox controller-like, with chunky enarthrosis triggers and decent actuation crossed the board. That said, however, the touchscreen tin origin disorder with this kit - you tin usage it sort-of similar an Android telephone if you want, with each the accustomed swipes, presses and truthful distant - and that, for us, saw the carnal buttons cease cognition for overly extended periods from clip to time. But, hey, it's a developer kit, truthful that's hardly a surprise.

Two openings to the beforehand adjacent the controls are wherever the front-facing speakers are positioned, providing decent stereo sound, including measurement up/down buttons to the bottommost borderline of the instrumentality for making adjustments. Or plug successful headphones via the 3.5mm jack (there would nary uncertainty beryllium scope for Bluetooth wireless, too, fixed the Android platform).

Performance

• Qualcomm Snapdragon G3x Gen 1 Gaming Platform
• 6000mAh artillery capacity, USB-C charging
• Android, Xbox Game Pass, Steam, more
• 4K show output (at 60Hz)

Qualcomm's top-end level is hosted wrong this Razer console: the Snapdragon G3x Gen 1 is simply a measurement up beyond the top-tier Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 mobile platform, with an adjacent much almighty Adreno GPU connected board.  With that benignant of powerfulness connected manus the doorway opens for 120Hz playback, with 144Hz supported, and adjacent 4K60p output to outer displays oregon monitors if you want.

And not conscionable for Android games. Which is the important portion astir this console: there's enactment for Xbox Game Pass, accessible from the location screen, meaning you tin play a full big of titles erstwhile connected the go. We watched assorted Qualcomm Tech Summit 2021 attendees playing Forza Horizon 5 successful this format and it runs truly smoothly.

There's Wi-Fi 6E and best-in-class 5G connectivity from Qualcomm's X65 modem - making the on-the-go imaginable present for unreality play perchance unrivalled. Just marque definite you've got a decent declaration with your work provider.

There are assorted unknowns of course, specified arsenic however artillery proficient this setup whitethorn be, and whether there's adjacent truly an appetite for a console specified arsenic this, should it oregon akin specified devices marque it to market.

Writing by Mike Lowe. Originally published connected 1 December 2021.