Razer has been a consistent supporter of mobile gaming controllers. The Razer Kishi line won me over ever since the Kishi V2 launched and showed how a console-like experience is possible on mobile to a certain degree. However, upon the release of last year’s Kishi Ultra, an exceptionally high-end mobile controller, I thought Razer may have been tapped for innovative ideas. Razer’s Kishi V3 Pro is proving how wrong I am.
Kishi V3 Pro is an evolutionary next step up from the Kishi Ultra. As with all of the Kishi devices, the brand new mobile controller is essentially a console-like controller cut in half with an extendable bridge in the middle, allowing a smartphone to be attached. Kishi V3 Pro takes it one step further by now supporting iPad Mini. This way, if you’d wanted more screen real estate given by Apple’s tablet, you could leverage the Kishi V3 Pro as your mobile controller. The Kishi V3 Pro also tweaks and improves on some core aspects from the Kishi Ultra, like introducing dual mouse click back buttons, HD haptics, and TMR thumbsticks. Kishi V3 Pro is launching alongside Razer’s new Kishi V3 Pro XL, which accommodates a full-sized iPad or Android tablet of 10 to 13 inches. Kishi V3 Pro launches at $219.99 in Canada.
If you’ve been following along with the annual evolution of the Razer Kishi series, you’ll likely know what you’re getting into when it comes to the Kishi V3 Pro. Imagine taking Razer’s Wolverine V3 Pro controller, cutting it in half, and building an extendable bridge in the middle. That’s Kishi V3 Pro. The latest mobile controller supports iPhone, Android smartphones, and iPad mini. Essentially, any device with a display of up to 8 inches can be supported on the device. The best of all, Kishi V3 Pro supports broad compatibility with cases. Unless you’re using a bulky Otter case, Razer’s latest device can accommodate your smartphone without having to remove the case. So, inserting my iPhone 16 with the case on was no problem. In fact, it fit like a glove.
The Razer V3 Pro offers a true console-like experience when playing many of your favourite mobile games. Keeping with the design and layout philosophy, Razer’s controller is very inspired by the Xbox Wireless controller. You have traditional face buttons and asymmetrical thumbsticks. This year, Razer is adopting the use of TMR thumbsticks (more on this in a bit). There’s also a dedicated Razer Nexus button. There are also the included claw grip bumpers, supporting a third input near the triggers for those who prefer claw grip over the traditional way of using inputs. On the rear, Razer is including the dual mouse click buttons, offering players a way of performing actions without removing their thumbs from the sticks.
It’s worth noting that, much like its Kishi Ultra predecessor, the Kishi V3 Pro is USB-C compatible only. This means that older iPhones or iPad mini models running off a Lightning port will not be compatible with the Kishi V3 Pro. As for charging, Razer includes a USB-C passthrough charging port so you don’t have to quit playing if your smartphone or tablet begins to run low on battery. For those who have purchased the Kishi Ultra, you’ll notice that Razer removed the use of the RGB accents. Speaking with the company earlier, the decision was made to remove features that didn’t necessarily improve usability while making more impactful hardware refinements.
The adoption of TMR thumbstick is the biggest and most impactful upgrade. Hall effect thumbstick utilizes magnets to determine the position of the sticks and reads the movements within the range. This thumbstick technology is also more efficient for eliminating wear and tear of sensors, reducing the risk of stick drift. However, Razer’s use of TMR goes one step further. This technology has greater accuracy and has a far better read on accuracy as far as stick positioning.
Playing a number of games on iPhone, I found the thumbstick to be incredibly comfortable to use. They offer superior position accuracy when playing a competitive game like Call of Duty: Mobile. With the TMR thumbsticks, I found that my aiming has never been more accurate when using a mobile controller. It’s far easier to line up my precise shots. Movements felt fluid while playing Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown, which at times can be demanding as far as inputs. Even in a game like Balatro, where I found myself dragging the cursor across the screen, the use of the thumbsticks felt great. Razer also includes swappable key caps in case you have a preference.
Now, the big question that remains has everything to do with longevity. Even Hall effect thumbsticks, while less susceptible to stick drift, aren’t immune to wear and tear. While I’ve been using the Kishi V3 Pro for just over a week, I’ll be interested to see whether there’s any noticeable stick drift months down the road.
Alongside improved thumbsticks, the Kishi V3 Pro also introduces a small assortment of improved controls and customizable options. As I’ve long been a fan of the Xbox Elite Series 2 controller and the PlayStation DualSense Edge, I’ve become more than accustomed to controllers having extra inputs that’ll allow for remapping and customization options. Razer’s Kishi V3 Pro does just that. The rear dual mouse click buttons support easy-to-use inputs that complement the ergonomical handles. They’re places right where my middle fingers rest naturally. Thanks to button remapping, I’m able to dictate essential inputs to them. For instance, having weapon swapping and jump inputs rendered to these buttons allows me to keep my thumbs on the sticks for longer while playing.
Carried over from Kishi Ultra, Kishi V3 Pro continues to leverage the use of the claw grip bumpers, otherwise known as the L4/R4 buttons. These customizable inputs allow further personalization based on preferences. I’ve never been one to adopt the claw method of holding a controller. However, since the use of the Kishi Ultra, I do like having that extra level of tailoring when it comes to my use of Razer’s controller.
The feel of Razer’s latest mobile controller is exceptionally premium. Despite enjoying all of the devices in the Kishi roster, I’ve thought that some of the earlier models felt a little too flimsy. The Kishi V3 Pro has a weighty feel to it, likely thanks to the inclusion of HD Haptic technology, powered by Razer Sensa, within the handles. Regardless of whether I used my iPhone 16 or iPhone 15 Pro Max, the weight distribution felt good on my hands and wrists. I found myself able to play upwards of a few hours without strain.
Against all odds, Razer has once again outdone itself. After testing the Kishi Ultra last year, I thought we had reached the ceiling. I was convinced Razer had no more runway to play on and innovate as far as mobile controllers were concerned. This is especially true as the handheld market has been growing so rapidly with native pieces of hardware. However, Kishi V3 Pro topples its predecessor in every way possible. The hardware improvements and refinements aren’t being made just to shovel another product out onto the market. They’re tangible and improve the gaming experience. Incorporating the use of iPad mini or an Android tablet, players now have more options when it comes to their preferred device and amount of screen real estate. This $219.99 controller is now going to be my go-to while playing games on my iPhone for the remainder of 2025.
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