Verdict
The Razer Kishi Ultra is a elegant cell controller that, whereas costly, gives a profitable mixture of {hardware} and software program with a cushty body, responsive inputs and particularly versatile software program.
Chunky and cozy body
Precise and solid-feeling triggers and thumbsticks
Clever software program integration
Key Features
Compatibility with all USB-C telephones:
You can join the Kishi Ultra to all Android telephones and newer iPhones with USB-C connectivity, and additionally it is appropriate with fashionable USB-C iPads.
Advanced haptic suggestions:
It additionally has Razer’s intelligent Sensa haptic suggestions for stronger and extra exact vibration in supported titles.
Introduction
The Razer Kishi Ultra is the inexperienced peripherals model’s most premium and pro-grade cell controller but.
It builds on earlier entries in Razer’s cell controller canon, such because the Kishi V2 Pro, with extra superior haptic suggestions, wider gadget compatibility and even addressable RGB lighting that simply makes it some of the premium choices on the market.
Therefore, it is sensible for the Kishi Ultra to be priced accordingly, and its £149.99/$149.99 price ticket is indicative of this. It additionally surpasses choices we’ve rated extremely up to now, together with the GameSir Galileo G8 and Backbone One.
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I’ve been testing the Kishi Ultra for the final couple of weeks to see how properly it performs.
Design
Chunky, full-size really feel
Sensible button placement
Good compatibility
The most startling factor in regards to the Kishi Ultra on preliminary perusal is how chunky it’s towards key rivals. It comes with correct, full-size controller buttons and thumbsticks wrapped up in a giant plastic chassis that goes some method to justifying the upper price.
General construct high quality is great, with no signal of any creaking or horribly scratchy plastics used. It’s additionally a splendidly comfy controller to carry with bigger grips making it appropriate for these with bigger palms, whereas there’s additionally some texturing on the underside to help with common really feel.
Image Credit (TechSwitch)
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Inputs are sensibly positioned, with an identical format to an Xbox controller to permit for a simple transition if you happen to’re shifting from a extra normal gadget. That means we’re getting two rubberised diagonally opposing thumbsticks, full with a D-Pad on the left facet and ABXY buttons on the best facet. There are additionally a few further buttons for opening the Nexus app, in addition to for pausing your sport, and taking a screenshot, on the faceplate.
You additionally get a set of triggers and two units of shoulder buttons on the Kishi Ultra, with the smaller L4 and R4 buttons strictly for remapping or programming. The underside is house to a headphone jack and USB-C port for charging pass-through, whilst you additionally get a smattering of RGB on the entrance facet.
Image Credit (TechSwitch)
The Kishi Ultra contains a USB-C port on its inside for stable compatibility with a variety of cell gadgets, together with just about all fashionable Android telephones and tablets, in addition to extra fashionable iPhones and that iPad Minis. Razer says it’ll be pleased with gadgets from 4.7 to 8.3 inches. There are additionally completely different grips contained in the field to make sure a safe match with various forms of gadgets.
The factor that this controller lacks towards some competitors is the actual fact it isn’t collapsible for portability’s sake – a function that the extra inexpensive Acer Nitro Mobile Gaming Controller has. It additionally doesn’t have swappable thumbsticks, nor are they corridor impact.
Performance
Especially comfy for longer durations
Reasonably responsive triggers and thumbsticks
Worked properly with Android gadgets in testing
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During my time with the Kishi Ultra, I didn’t really feel that the bigger nature left it feeling unwieldy in hand, and it really made it extra comfy to make use of for prolonged durations. You actually don’t really feel as if you happen to’re having to hunch over the thumbsticks because it have been.
I spent plenty of my testing utilizing both Xbox Cloud Gaming or by way of Steam Link with respective gadgets from my sport library. It built-in properly with Xbox titles particularly, within the likes of Forza Horizon 5 and EAFC 24. The Kishi Ultra right here provided snappy foremost buttons, first rate set off motion and correct analogue sticks.
Image Credit (TechSwitch)
The sticks and triggers sadly, aren’t corridor impact, as with different controllers, though the principle ABXY buttons are satisfyingly tactile and clicky, making button mashing for sprinting in titles corresponding to Grand Theft Auto V fairly satisfying. The shoulder buttons and triggers are sensibly positioned, though these extra L4 and R4 buttons are in a little bit of an unnatural place the place others really feel very acquainted.
The Kishi Ultra options correct haptic suggestions and rumble, which makes it surprisingly glorious for taking part in the whole lot from shooters to racing video games. I streamed Dirt Rally 2.0 by way of Steam Link from my foremost Windows gaming PC, and with it, the Kishi Ultra managed to transmit the drive suggestions and rumble of my Lancia Delta S4 rally automobile on a tough gravel rally stage with good precision and weight.
Image Credit (TechSwitch)
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I used to be impressed by how straightforward the controller is to arrange, with easy plug-and-play connectivity with the Android gadgets I used – each the Poco F7 Pro and Honor Magic V3 labored and not using a hitch.
Software
Surprisingly detailed software program integration
Decent choices for customisation
Also integrates neatly with different streaming apps
Given Razer’s longstanding repute for providing top-of-the-line plenty of peripheral software program for his or her different gadgets in Synapse, I had excessive hopes for the downloadable Razer Nexus app for the Kishi Ultra.
The app is among the full software program options for a cell controller, far eclipsing the typically buggy selections from competitor manufacturers with a easy and helpful interface. It gives the whole lot from a useful record of video games with correct controller help to hyperlinks to appropriate apps corresponding to for Xbox cloud streaming, Steam Link and even to paid apps for emulators, corresponding to for the PS2 or PSP.
Image Credit (TechSwitch)
Razer Nexus additionally lets you tweak the Kishi Ultra to your liking, permitting for a way of configuring its RGB lighting, remapping its two further shoulder buttons, and even including a ‘virtual controller’ to cell video games that don’t have it by mapping the Kishi Ultra’s buttons to on-screen controls. It takes a while to configure, however it’s nonetheless a helpful addition.
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When utilizing an Android gadget, you can even configure the controller’s Audio Haptics, which maps sport audio into suggestions you’re feeling by way of the controller for a contact extra immersion in supported titles. The record isn’t exhaustive, however in titles corresponding to Jetpack Joyride that do help it, it gives detailed haptics for cues corresponding to footsteps and in-game motion which you can actually really feel by way of the controller.
Should you purchase it?
You desire a correctly comfy and versatile cell controller
The Kishi Ultra takes the biscuit for being an particularly comfy controller with full-size thumbsticks and triggers, feeling responsive in a variety of video games.
You desire a extra inexpensive selection
There’s little doubt that this can be a premium controller, and you may get different nice rival choices for just about half the value.
Final Thoughts
The Razer Kishi Ultra is a elegant cell controller that, whereas costly, gives a profitable mixture of {hardware} and software program with a cushty body, responsive inputs and particularly versatile software program together with the good thing about superior haptics and sensible seems to be.
Competitors such because the GameSir G8 Galileo and Backbone One can provide advantages corresponding to hall-effect sticks or correct PlayStation integration, however the Kishi Ultra arguably surpasses them in consolation with full-size buttons and thumbsticks. It additionally has exemplary software program help, though it comes at a major price towards these rivals.
How we check
We check all our gadgets completely over an prolonged time period. We use industry-standard exams to check options correctly. We’ll at all times inform you what we discover. We by no means, ever, settle for cash to evaluate a product. Find out extra about how we check in our ethics coverage
Was examined for a minimum of two weeks earlier than the evaluate.
Played and streamed a number of video games with the controller.
FAQs
Which telephones does the Razer Kishi Ultra work with? All USB-C Android telephones, in addition to USB-C iPhones.
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Test Data
Full Specs
Razer Kishi Ultra
UK RRP
£149.99
USA RRP
$149.99
Manufacturer
Razer
Size (Dimensions)
110.8 x 244.8 x 64.3 MM
Weight
266 G
Release Date
2024
First Reviewed Date
30/04/2025
Ports
USB-C
Connectivity
USB-C