There’s no shortage of mobile controllers that turn your smartphone or small tablet into dedicated handhelds not unlike the Nintendo Switch and Steam Deck. But what about players who game on larger tablets, including 13-inch iPad Pro models? Well, now they can turn their iPad into a giant handheld gaming machine with the Razer Kishi V3 Pro XL. Razer’s new tablet controller is one of three models in the Kishi V3 series that launched today (June 12). The tablet-only V3 Pro XL features a number of high-end components and retails for $200. Razer also launched a Kishi V3 Pro for smartphones and smaller tablets for $150 as well as a smartphone-only Kishi V3 base model for $100.
Let’s take a look at all three controllers in the Kishi V3 lineup.
$200
The Kishi V3 Pro XL is specifically designed for larger tablets, including 11- and 13-inch iPad Pro and Air models, 10.9-inch iPads (with USB-C), and Android tablets ranging from 10-13 inches (measured diagonally). It connects via USB-C and has an additional USB-C port for passthrough charging. Razer upgraded some of the components to offer a more premium experience than its previous V2 Pro and Ultra models of the Kishi.
Trigger pulls are registered by Hall Effect sensors, but the full-sized thumbsticks are fitted with TMR sensors (Tunnel Magnetoresistance). TMR electromagnetic sticks have only been used by a few major controller manufacturers thus far. The tech, which is also found in 8BitDo’s latest flagship Ultimate 2 Controller, is viewed as a step up from Hall Effect. The Kishi V3 Pro models are the first dedicated mobile controllers from a major manufacturer to utilize TMR sticks.
The V3 Pro XL has two remappable back buttons and a pair of extra shoulder buttons geared toward claw-grip players. It has Razer’s mecha-tactile face buttons and an 8-way D-pad activated by microswitches. Both handles are shaped like traditional controller grips, and each one has a rumble motor with Sensa HD Haptics, Razer’s proprietary rumble system designed to increase immersion–it’s the same general idea as Nintendo’s HD Rumble and PlayStation’s DualSense haptics.
The new Kishi controllers support Razer’s Nexus App, a game launcher for native iOS and Android games, as well as Razer PC Remote Play. If you have an iPad with powerful enough specs–M1 or better is recommended–you could use the new Kishi V3 Pro XL to play a few of the AAA games that have been ported to Apple platforms, including Death Stranding and multiple Resident Evil games, on a giant Nintendo Switch-like handheld.
The V3 Pro XL includes a six-month subscription to Apple Arcade for new and eligible returning subscribers.
$150
The Kishi V3 Pro has the same tech as the XL model, just geared toward smaller mobile devices. And by “smaller” we mean all iPhone 15 and 16 models, most Android phones on the market today, and 8-inch tablets. On the iOS side, this means it’s compatible with the iPad Mini 6th Generation and iPad Mini A17 Pro.
The Apple Arcade freebie included with the $150 V3 Pro is a three-month subscription. The V3 Pro will probably be the best choice for most players due to its inherent advantages from a portability perspective and smartphone support.
$100
The regular Razer Kishi V3 is designed for smartphones specifically–iPhone 15 and up if you use a Apple device due to its USB-C port–and is priced at $100. It still has TMR sticks, remappable back buttons, and Hall Effect triggers, but it drops a couple features and makes changes to several components to keep the price down. It doesn’t have the claw-grip bumpers or Sensa HD Haptics, and the face buttons and D-pad don’t have the mouse-click feel and feedback. The four-way D-pad and buttons are “Quiet-tactile,” which is likely a fancy way to say they feel conventional.
The Kishi V3 should fit most Android smartphones thanks to its “island” design and thicker depth clearance, and it also comes with three months of Apple Arcade for free.
Razer isn’t the only player in this game, as GameSir offers its own controller cradle for tablets. The GameSir G8 Plus is attractively priced at $80 (was $100), and it offers Hall Effect joysticks, motion-sensing six-axis gyroscope tech, strong vibration, and interchangeable magnetic components. This one syncs via Bluetooth and supports iOS and Android devices up to 8.5 inches. It’s also compatible with Nintendo Switch and the new Switch 2, which is a big perk.
Smartphone owners can also check out the new Backbone Pro, which offers a pro-style setup to mobile gaming. Building off of the foundation established by the Backbone One, this snap-on USB-C controller for iPhone 15/16 and Android phones is an impressive upgrade compared to its predecessor.
You can also use it as a wireless Bluetooth controller on tablets, PC, Mac, Steam Deck, and more devices, and it’s highly customizable via the official Backbone App. Overall, this is a comfier and feature-packed successor to the Backbone One. Like Razer’s V3 Pro controllers, the Backbone Pro is pricier than many mobile controllers at $170.
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