Gaming

Razer Phone 2 hands-on: Not only for gamers

All glass, all power

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Last year, Razer — the company known for gaming notebooks and peripherals — released a smartphone designed specifically for gamers, with features like loud front-firing stereo speakers, a brilliant display with fast refresh rates, and all the power to run your favorite games.

And just like that the gaming smartphone category was born.

This year, new competitors like the ASUS ROG Phone and ZTE Nubia Red Magic have cropped up. But Razer is back with an update! And from the looks of it, we might just have a phone that not only gamers would want to use.

At first glance, the Razer Phone 2 looks very much like last year’s model. It’s the same size, has the same boxy shape, and the same front-firing speakers on both its forehead and chin.

But turn it around and you’ll know it’s completely different. The 12-megapixel dual-camera setup (one has a 2x telephoto lens) is in a new place, and the back is now glass instead of aluminum.

In my briefing with Razer, I was told the decision on glass was to enable faster connectivity speeds — Gigabit LTE, to be exact — and to enable wireless charging.

Plus, they sell this wireless charging stand separately with cool RGB lighting underneath!

But you know what’s really cool? The Razer logo on the phone’s back lights up. Not just with Razer’s signature green, but any color of the rainbow! All of which can be managed with an app.

One thing that was really important to Razer this time around was to build not just a gaming phone, but also a flagship phone. So this year, they set out to improve the Razer Phone 2’s cameras.

The phone has got new Sony image sensors and better post-processing software, which are supposed to improve photo quality that, they say, should be able to compete with other flagships.

The camera app too has been updated — made simpler and easier to use. And for those who like it, there’s even beauty mode on the front-facing 8-megapixel camera.

Of course, all of what makes the Razer Phone 2 a great gaming phone is here.

The screen’s refresh rate is still a crazy 120Hz, but the panel has been improved further with even better dynamic range, whether you’re watching YouTube, an HDR movie on Netflix, or playing PUBG, which runs great on this device as can be expected from its pretty specced-up configuration.

This includes a high-end Snapdragon 845 processor, 8GB of memory, 64GB of expandable storage, and a hefty 4000mAh battery. All these power what you see on the 5.7-inch IGZO LCD and its 1440p resolution. Keeping everything cool is Razer’s vapor chamber cooling system.

With the official case on

So, is the Razer Phone 2 your GadgetMatch? Of course, you’ll have to wait till we finish our full review to find out whether or not the Razer Phone 2 lives up to its hype. But from the limited time that I had with the device, I think it has plenty of potential.

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Gaming

Grand Theft Auto VI delayed to November 2026

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November 7, 2025

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Back in September, Hollow Knight: Silksong finally launched, ending an almost seven-year wait. Now, the next holy grail of gaming that’s set to launch is Grand Theft Auto VI. However, the wait is now a tiny bit longer. Rockstar Games has delayed the launch of its upcoming game to November 2026.

It’s been over 12 years since the launch of Grand Theft Auto V. In that time, the title has gone through three generations of the Xbox and the PlayStation. It even has an enhanced edition already. That said, the highly anticipated sixth outing is a long time coming.

In the tail end of 2023, Rockstar Games released the first trailer for the anticipated sequel, teasing a launch in 2025. Further reports pinpointed a fall 2025 window. Since then, the studio delayed the game to May 2026 for extra polishing.

Today, Rockstar Games has announced another delay. This time, Grand Theft Auto VI will launch on November 19, 2026. The studio is once again citing the need to polish the final product a bit more.

Besides the game itself, there is a lot riding on its launch. For one, other game developers are notorious for patterning their games’ release windows away from Grand Theft Auto VI (or other major games). They naturally don’t want their games to be the one known for being overshadowed by Rockstar’s surefire hit.

Secondly, publishers are patiently waiting for how much the game will go for. There’s speculation that the title might push the boundaries of videogame pricing. If the game is a hit while going for 90 to 100 bucks, then other publishers might follow suit.

SEE ALSO: Grand Theft Auto VI gets its first-ever trailer

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Gaming

The Nintendo Switch is nearing the end of its lifecycle

Nintendo will focus more on the Switch 2 going forward.

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November 6, 2025

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It’s the beginning of the end for the Nintendo Switch. After almost nine years of the original console, Nintendo is just about ready to move on to the next generation.

According to a recent earnings report, Nintendo has announced that the company will start focusing on the Switch 2. “Going forward, we will shift our primary development focus to Nintendo Switch 2 and expand our business around this new platform,” the report said.

Since it was launched earlier this year, the Switch 2 exceeded the company’s expectations. The new console has already surpassed 10 million units sold worldwide, making it Nintendo’s fastest-selling console so far. In fact, the company is already worried about shortages in some parts of the world.

As pointed out by the report, 84 percent of current Switch 2 users transitioned from the original console generation. Owners of the first console are transitioning at a uniform rate.

Currently, there is no explicit plan to fully move away from the first generation yet. The issued statement, however, heralds the end. This will likely start off on a subtler note: fewer games coming out and fewer consoles available in the market.

So, there is no pressing need to switch over to the newer console immediately. However, this should be a warning for users that the end is nearing.

For what it’s worth, the Switch 2 offers backwards compatibility. If you have a shapely catalog of games from the first generation, you can still use them on the newer one. Also, there is a growing number of exclusive games that make use of the more powerful hardware, so it’s a worthy upgrade.

SEE ALSO: Assassin’s Creed Shadows is coming to the Switch 2

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Gaming

Razer, JOOLA partner for limited-edition pickleball paddle

1st-ever crossover between gaming, pickleball

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November 6, 2025

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Razer has ventured into the world of pickleball, partnering with JOOLA for a limited-edition JOOLA Razer Perseus Pro IV 16mm paddle.

The paddle will officially be available on December 9. It is co-branded with Razer’s triple-headed snake trademark, as well as signature green accents.

The paddle already made its competitive debut at the 2025 Pickleball World Championships in Dallas. There, it was wielded by Ben Johns, who is widely regarded as the world’s top pickleball pro.

He also happens to spend his free time gaming, making the partnership very apt for him on a personal scale.

This groundbreaking crossover bridges the energy of esports with the fast-growing sport of pickleball. It unites two elite forces in competitive performance: JOOLA for pickleball pros and Razer for the gaming community.

And as part of the launch celebration, fans will have the chance to win a paddle signed by both JOOLA CEO Richard Lee and Razer CEO Min-Liang Tan.

The raffle will be done through a social media giveaway hosted by both JOOLA and Razer.

Game on with the JOOLA Razer Perseus Pro IV 16mm

The JOOLA Razer Perseus Pro IV 16mm is crafted for high-stakes rallies and fast-paced exchanges. Its raw carbon surface enhances spin control and dwell time. This allows players to shape their shots with precision and finesse.

A balanced swing weight also supports quick transitions and reactive play, making it ideal for competitive athletes.

Bringing smart tech to the court, each paddle is also embedded with an NFC chip that connects to the JOOLA Infinity App, unlocking exclusive content, pro tips, and extended warranty.

Only a total of 1,337 units of the limited-edition paddle will be made. The number 1,337 is a nod to gaming culture, where “1337” or “LEET” means short for elite and is used to signify top-tier skill and mastery.

The pickleball paddle will retail officially for US$ 299.95 and will be available exclusively via JOOLA.com.

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