- Kyle Chua
CES 2023: Razer Announces Edge Release Date, Next-Gen Blade Laptops, Project Carol Head Cushion
Razer returned to CES this year, bringing with it a whole host of technologies and innovations that'll tickle any gamer's fancy. The global gaming-lifestyle brand not only debuted new products but also shared early looks at concepts it's developing.
Here are the key announcements:
Razer Edge Gets A Release Date!
The Razer Edge, the brand's handheld gaming system, finally has a release date. There are two versions of the device, as previously announced: the Razer Edge Wi-Fi and the Razer Edge 5G. Both of which are slated to release in the U.S. on 26 January. The former is priced at US$399.99 and will be available exclusively via Razer.com and RazerStore locations, while the latter is priced at US$599.99 and will be available via Verizon.com and Verizon store locations.
The Android gaming tablet is the first device powered and developed for the latest Snapdragon G3x Gen 1 platform, allowing it to play games downloaded from Google Play or streamed from cloud services like Xbox Game Pass. It sports a 6.8-inch AMOLED panel with a 2,400x1,080 FHD+ resolution at a 144Hz refresh rate and has active cooling to support long gaming sessions.
Project Carol Concept Design
Razer wants to further transform what gaming chairs can do, introducing a new head cushion concept that can boost gamers' immersion through sound and haptics. Dubbed Project Carol, the design features a near-field 7.1 surround sound system that delivers closer, more direct rear audio for a more enveloping soundscape. It also converts game sounds into haptic feedback in real-time, letting gamers feel the action from the back of their heads.
Project Carol is designed all kinds of gaming chairs, including Razer’s popular Iskur and Enki lines, via elastic straps. The cushion natively supports PC via 2.4 GHz wireless connections and has a battery life of up to eight hours.
It is worth pointing out, however, that not all of Razer's concepts make it to market, so perhaps until pricing and release details are available, there's still a chance this won't make it out of the R&D department.
Next-Gen Razer Blades
The Razer Blade 16 and Blade 18 are the two new additions this year and they replace the classic ol' Blade 15 andB Blade 17, packing the latest processors and graphics. Both models ship with a 13th generation Intel Core i9 HX chipset, Nvidia's latest RTX 40 series graphics processors running up to 175W TGP and upgradeable DDR5 5600MHz memory.
For display, the Blade 16 sports a 16:10 aspect ratio, HDR-supported, mini-LED panel that boasts 1,000 nits peak brightness and less than 3ms response time. The display also has dual native mode switching, allowing seamless selection between Creator and Gamer modes. Creator mode sharpens the resolution to UHD+ with 120Hz refresh rate, while Gamer mode boosts the refresh rate to 240Hz at a native FHD+ resolution.
The Blade 18, meanwhile, is the brand's most powerful laptop yet, packing a massive 18-inch QHD+ 240Hz refresh rate panel that delivers providing pristine color accuracy, sharp resolution, and rapid response. And it does this while maintaining premium and sleek aesthetics and form factor. Other features include a 5MP camera, a six-speaker array with THX-certified spatial audio, upgradeable components, a comprehensive port selection and vapour chamber cooling.
The Blade 16 and Blade 18 are slated to launches Q1 2023, with the former starting at US$2,699.99 and the latter starting at US$2,899.99. Hefty prices indeed but sexy nonetheless!
Razer Leviathan V2 Pro
The Razer Leviathan V2 Pro is the world's first beamforming soundbar for desktop with head-tracking artificial intelligence (AI). The audio device uses an IR camera and AI technology to detect the gamer's position, allowing it to adapt audio beams in real-time and output the most optimal listening experience. It uses THX's Spatial Audio technology and Audioscenic's user adaptive beamforming to deliver true-to-life 3D audio that satisfies different entertainment needs. What's more, it works with Razer Chroma RGB, which boasts 30 lighting zones, 16.8 million colours and integration with over 200 games.
The soundbar releases sometime in February for the starting price of US$399.99.
Razer Kiyo Pro Ultra
Boasting the largest sensor ever used in a webcam, Razer touts the level of detail and clarity the Kiyo Pro Ultra can capture rivals that of DSLR cameras. Under the hood, the new professional webcam houses ultra-large Sony 1/1.2″
STARVIS 2 sensor with a 2.9 μm pixel size to capture more light and image data in every pixel. It's fitted with a custom F/1.7 aperture lens that can capture almost four times more light compared to standard webcams. A processor also helps maintain image fidelity, converting raw 4K 30 FPS (or 1080P 60 FPS) footage into uncompressed 4K 24 FPS, 1440p 30 FPS, or 1080p 60 FPS directly into gamers' streams. Other features include AI-powered face tracking for auto-focus, HDR support at 30fps and USB 3.0 connectivity.
The Razer Kiyo Pro Ultra launches on 5 January for the starting price of US$299.99.
Razer Meta Quest 2 Peripherals
Razer also partnered with Meta to develop two new peripherals for the Quest 2 virtual reality headset.
The first of which is the Razer Adjustable Head Strap System, a strap that's designed to make the headset comfortable for longer sessions of use. It's made from high-performance nylon material that optimises weight distribution to bring more balance to the head during active gameplay. The soft adjustable straps lets gamers quickly and easily slip the headset on and off.
Meanwhile, the Razer Facial Interface was developed to eliminate facial pressure when wearing the headset, providing extended comfort and support during use. The add-on is made from ultra-thin textured and profiled membranes that are hypoallergenic, reducing the risk of skin irritation. It also blocks light while still providing ventilation for improved immersion.
The two Meta Quest 2 peripherals are scheduled to launch in the U.S. in Q1 2023, with plans to expand to other regions in the future.
Razer returned to CES this year to debut new products and share early looks at concepts it's developing.
The gaming-lifestyle brand revealed the Razer Edge handheld system is releasing in the U.S. on 26 January.
It also unveiled Project Carol, a head cushion concept that features a near-field 7.1 surround sound system and haptic feedback.
Other notable announcements include this year's addition of the Blade 16 and Blade 18 to replace the classic ol' Blade 15 and Blade 17 as well as the Razer Kiyo Pro Ultra webcam.