Razer's $100 Prio Mobile Controller Folds to Credit-Card Size
Razer released the Prio today, a $100 wired game controller that folds down to roughly the size of a credit card when it's not clamped onto a phone. It is the first entry in what Razer calls a new line of ultra-portable mobile controllers, and it is on sale now through Razer's own store.
How it works
The Prio connects over USB-C, so there's no battery to charge and no Bluetooth pairing to fuss with. Razer built it around a twist-to-unlock hinge: twist the two halves and the controller opens up around your phone, then folds flat again for a pocket when you're done. Razer says it fits phones up to 7 inches, including current large-screen models like the iPhone 17 Pro Max and Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra, and it's designed to clear slim-to-medium phone cases without you having to pull the phone out first.
Controls are laid out like a console pad: a tactile D-pad, four face buttons, shoulder bumpers, and analog triggers. The thumbsticks use capacitive sensors rather than the potentiometer-based sticks common on cheaper mobile controllers, which Razer says cuts down on the drift that shows up as sticks wear in.
What it plays
Because it's a standard USB-C HID controller, the Prio isn't locked to one app store or one type of game. It works with native mobile games on both iOS and Android, and it also pairs with cloud services: Xbox Cloud Gaming, Sony's PS Remote Play, Valve's Steam Link, and Razer's own PC Remote Play app for streaming games from a home PC. That puts it in direct competition with Backbone's line of phone controllers, though Razer's pitch leans on the fold-flat size rather than a slide-and-clip design.
Price and where to get it
The Prio costs $100 and is available immediately through Razer's website, with wider retail listings expected to follow. Razer is positioning it less as a competitive esports peripheral and more as something to carry for downtime — a commute, a waiting room, a flight — rather than a controller built around tournament-grade response times.
Should you buy one
If you already own a clip-style mobile controller and it's holding up fine, there's no urgent reason to switch. The Prio's advantage is entirely about carrying it: a controller that folds to credit-card thickness fits in a pocket in a way that a rigid clip-on unit doesn't, and the wired USB-C connection avoids the pairing delay and battery anxiety that come with Bluetooth pads. At $100 it sits above budget mobile controllers but below premium wireless options, and the wired-only design means it won't work with a phone propped up across the room — you'll need the phone within cable's reach.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does the Razer Prio cost?
The Razer Prio costs $100 (listed as $99.99 on Razer's site) and is available now directly from Razer, with wider retail availability expected soon.
Does the Razer Prio work with iPhone and Android?
Yes. The Prio connects over USB-C and works as a standard controller on both iOS and Android, and it fits phones up to 7 inches, including large models like the iPhone 17 Pro Max and Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra.
Does the Razer Prio need to be charged?
No. It's a wired controller that draws power through its USB-C connection to the phone, so there's no internal battery to manage and no Bluetooth pairing step.
Can the Razer Prio play cloud gaming services?
Yes. Beyond native mobile games, it works with Xbox Cloud Gaming, PlayStation Remote Play, Steam Link, and Razer's own PC Remote Play app for streaming games from a computer.
How is the Razer Prio different from a Backbone controller?
Both clip onto a phone and stream cloud games, but the Prio's main pitch is its twist-to-unlock hinge, which folds it flat to roughly credit-card size for pocket carry, rather than the rigid clip-on shape most mobile controllers use.
