The Razer Kishi V2 controller for iPhone is a greater competitor towards Backbone

The Razer Kishi V2 for iPhone is offered to buy at present for $99.99, following the discharge of the Android-only Kishi V2 in July. This is the model’s second technology of Nintendo Switch-like controllers for iOS units that make cell gaming really feel extra like an actual console expertise.

If you had been considering of upgrading from the unique Razer Kishi or iOS controller, then there are just a few advantages. Two new multi-function shoulder buttons may be remapped within the Nexus app (Razer’s personal gaming hub) in the event you take pleasure in taking part in extra advanced video games, and there’s a devoted button that can take you to the Nexus app immediately, although its capabilities of dealing with iOS integration stay to be seen on condition that Apple doesn’t enable for native app streaming.

Compatibility for telephones and connections apart, the design for each the Android and iOS Kishi V2 is sort of similar. This means the iOS model of the Kishi V2 shares the identical criticisms, together with uncomfortable buttons and an absence of a 3.5mm audio jack for people who favor direct headphone connectivity. All the buttons and thumbstick features are the identical throughout the iOS and Android fashions, and each measure in at 3.6 x 7.1 x 1.3 inches and weigh 4.3 ounces.

Speaking of buttons, these have been modeled after the tactile microswitch controls featured on one other Razer product, the Wolverine V2 console controller. We famous in our evaluate of the Kishi V2 for Android that whereas these mechanical buttons impressed on the Wolverine V2, on this smaller controller, an absence of journey makes them much less spectacular on the Kishi.

Photo by Cameron Faulkner / The Verge

The evaluate additionally notes that the Kishi V2’s efficiency falls flat towards a competing Lightning-only product, the $99 Backbone One. Razer seems to have taken some hefty inspiration from its competitors when designing the second technology of Kishi cell controllers, although that mattered much less for the Kishi V2 for Android as Backbone’s providing was designed for iOS customers. Now that buyers have a alternative between the 2 immediately competing merchandise, the optimistic suggestions relating to the Backbone One’s Lightning charging and three.5mm audio passthrough, software program integration, and normal in-hand consolation may win over even loyal followers of Razer’s {hardware}.

The Kishi V2 for iPhone requires iOS 15.4 or later and is appropriate with fashions from the iPhone SE (first- and second-gen) via to the iPhone 13 sequence. If you’re ready to snap up the upcoming iPhone 14, then present rumors recommend that it’ll nonetheless be rocking a Lightning connection, however we gained’t know for certain if the Kishi V2 for iOS will help it till it formally hits the market.