Reviewing the Razer Kishi Ultra: Could It Be the Ultimate Mobile Controller of 2024?

April: the Razer Nexus app first pointed to an unannounced controller

Back in April, the Razer Nexus (Free) app on iOS and Android was updated with support for an unannounced “Razer Kishi Ultra” controller. The app entry highlighted features such as analog stick deadzone customization, suggesting a controller that would push beyond the compact mobile gamepad formula. The reviewer had already used the Razer Kishi and the Backbone One, including the newer USB-C versions, for years and did not think a new controller was needed. The leaked feature set, however, pointed toward a different kind of mobile controller.

After the leak: Razer moves from phones to tablets and a $149.99 full-size design

Since then, Razer announced and released the Razer Kishi Ultra, and the device supports more than phones. It works with iPhone and Android, and it also supports tablets such as the iPad Mini 6th generation. The controller offers more features than expected for specific devices and is, as far as the reviewer is aware, the most expensive mobile controller currently available at $149.99.

The box includes the controller itself, several sets of rubber cushions, a sheet of stickers, and an instruction booklet. The cushions are labeled in pairs: Pair A for iPhone, Pair B for iPad Mini 6th generation, and Pair C for Android. If the phone is already in a case, the rubber cushions are not needed.

At $149.99, the package does not include a carrying case or pouch, which the reviewer expected at this price. The box and controller casing are good quality, as usual from Razer. The controller’s full-size form factor makes it feel like holding a phone in the middle of a good quality console controller, rather than a compact mobile controller like the prior Razer Kishi or Backbone One.

Compatibility: iPhone 15 Pro, iPhone 14 Plus, iPad Pro, Steam Deck, and the Android gap

For the review, the Razer Kishi Ultra was tested on an iPhone 15 Pro, an iPhone 14 Plus, and wired on an iPad Pro. Android and Windows were not tested, but the controller was tried wired on a Steam Deck. The Steam Deck detected it as a generic Xbox gamepad, and it worked while playing NBA 2K25. The reviewer also noted decent rumble in Bakeru.

Some telescopic controllers have recently shipped with Bluetooth support, but for USB-C, the Razer Kishi Ultra seems to have some of the best compatibility. That matters for buyers who want one controller that can attach to a phone, work on a tablet, or connect to a handheld. The reviewer’s earlier review of Razer’s older controller is referenced as background for this shift from compact to full-size.

Controls and comfort: d-pad, triggers, 15W passthrough charging, and L4/R4

The d-pad was initially a concern, but it worked well in games such as Garou: Mark of the Wolves ACA NeoGeo, Hades, and Hitman Blood Money Reprisal. The shoulder buttons and triggers work as well as Razer’s older controller. The analog sticks are comfortable and smooth, while the face buttons are clicky with more travel distance than the original Razer Kishi.

The textured finish is not rubbery, but it provides grip and remains comfortable to hold for a few hours. The reviewer played Zenless Zone Zero in sessions lasting a few hours while charging the phone through the passthrough charging feature, with no complaints about the d-pad, buttons, or triggers. The controller also has a 3.5mm headphone jack, passthrough charging rated at 15W, and L4 and R4 shoulder buttons.

Chroma customization is available through the Razer Nexus app. As with the Razer Kitsune, the reviewer would prefer if the lights could match gameplay on screen, because Chroma lighting alone is not the main value of the controller.

Platform split: Android gets haptics, virtual controller mode, while iOS does not

The Razer Kishi Ultra’s full-size comfort is not the only new feature. Haptics are available on Android and Windows. Virtual controller mode is Android only. That mode is useful for Android games because some notable titles skip adding controller support outside iOS on mobile, with Genshin Impact mentioned as an example.

iOS does not get haptics or virtual controller mode. The reviewer does not care much about virtual controller mode, but wants Razer to find a way to enable haptics for iOS devices. For someone who likes haptic feedback on PS5 or HD Rumble on Nintendo Switch, the missing iOS haptics make the experience feel less complete than Android.

Price decision: $149.99 versus $99.99 alternatives and future drift questions

The buying comparison is clear. Most people may be better off using a PS5 or Xbox controller to play wirelessly on iOS as the best possible and cheaper option. Among popular telescopic controllers that attach to phones, $99.99 is already the common premium price. The Razer Kishi Ultra, at $149.99 and described by the reviewer as about $150, is definitely a more premium controller.

The reviewer thinks it is worth the extra price for comfort if the buyer is already okay with the Razer Kishi and Backbone One price point. The lack of haptics makes it feel like a lesser experience on iOS compared with Android, where the fully featured experience is available. Long-term joystick drift remains an unknown. The reviewer has had drift issues with multiple controllers over the years, and while it has not happened with the Razer Kishi Ultra or the Razer Kishi yet, it is something to keep in mind over the next few months.

2024 current stage: a 4.5/5 comfort leader with travel, iOS, and accessory gaps

As a 2024 mobile controller, the Razer Kishi Ultra is the comfiest mobile controller the reviewer has ever used. Moving from the compact form factor used for years across Razer and Backbone products to this larger controller has been interesting. The experience recalls the Hori Split Pad Pro on Nintendo Switch: after using a full-size mobile controller, the reviewer now wants both a full-size option and a compact option for iPhone.

The reviewer’s score is 4.5/5. For people used to traditional PS5 or Xbox Series controllers, or basically any full-sized controller, and who do not enjoy compact Joy-Con size buttons and sticks in mobile controllers, the Razer Kishi Ultra is described as perfect. Its comfortable grip, d-pad, and face buttons are the core strengths. The lack of full feature support on iOS is disappointing, but the product is still viewed as a great addition to the mobile controller space.

At this stage, the main unresolved issue is travel. The reviewer worries about how the controller might end up in a bag unless it is carried in the big box it ships with. It is not yet clear whether the Razer Kishi Ultra will replace the normal Razer Kishi or Backbone One for travel, but it is currently used mainly when playing at home.

The wishlist for an updated Razer Kishi Ultra includes hall effect analog sticks, smoothing the sharper edges around the passthrough charging port, and bottom paddles such as L5 and R5 with remapping available in the Razer Nexus app. The reviewer also wants a carrying case. Pro-level console controllers often come with a hard case, and although the Razer Kishi Ultra does not cost as much as a DualSense Edge or Victrix Pro BFG, a case would be a useful addition.

The review also covers the broader mobile controller landscape. Having reviewed the Backbone One and Razer Kishi models, the reviewer wants to try the GameSir lineup because it seems worth checking out. The review page includes an Amazon link for the Razer Kishi Ultra, and TouchArcade may earn a small commission from purchases made using affiliate links. The book mentioned in the header image is Andy Kelly’s upcoming book Perfect Organism: An Alien: Isolation Companion, which the reviewer is currently reading for review and can be pre-ordered.

The current phase is therefore a launched, reviewed, premium $149.99 mobile controller: strongest for comfort and USB-C compatibility, weakest for iOS feature parity and portability.