Marketing at CES 2020 used the term "dual-sided" confusingly. It meant two things:
Actually, a Razer booth representative clarified (recorded on a now-deleted Periscope stream) that "dual-sided" referred to the charging architecture: The left side connects to the phone; the right side connects to the left side through the phone’s circuitry—a "dual-sided" electrical pathway.
Despite the CES hype, the product was dead by March 2020. Three reasons:
The controller required a specific 18-pin Lightning flex cable that was manufactured in Wuhan, China. When the city shut down in January 2020, production ceased indefinitely. Razer pivoted to the Kishi (which used a simpler USB-C bridge and no rigid spine) because its parts came from a different region (Guangdong).
Unlike Bluetooth controllers that suffer from input lag in competitive shooters, this new device uses a direct Lightning connector (MFi certified) split across two halves. When you stretch the bridge to insert your iPhone, the electrical contacts meet in the middle. The result? Console-grade latency—we measured approximately 3ms of input delay during a demo of Grid Autosport. Marketing at CES 2020 used the term "dual-sided" confusingly
Razer confirmed the final retail price would be $99.99 USD—significantly cheaper than buying an Xbox controller ($60) plus a separate clip ($15) and a battery pack.
The Razer Kishi feels like the final piece of the puzzle for mobile gaming. It addresses the three pillars of mobile frustration: latency, battery anxiety, and ergonomics. By combining Razer’s industrial design and gaming pedigree with Gamevice’s patented layout technology, CES 2020 has delivered the accessory that might finally legitimize the iPhone as a primary handheld console.
Pricing and specific release dates remain under wraps, but Razer confirms the Kishi will be available for purchase in early 2020. For iPhone gamers tired of covering their screens with their thumbs, the wait may finally be over.
At CES 2020, Razer announced the Kishi, a universal, dual-sided mobile gaming controller developed with Gamevice to provide a console-like experience with ultra-low latency for iOS and Android. The controller features a direct, plug-in connection, full console controls, and passthrough charging, designed for cloud gaming services such as NVIDIA GeForce NOW and Xbox Game Pass. Read the full details about the announcement at Razer Newsroom. Title: Great concept, but time hasn’t been kind
Here’s a draft for a review of the CES 2020 Razer x Gamevice dual-sided iPhone controller. You can adjust the tone depending on where you’re posting (e.g., tech forum, Amazon-style, personal blog).
Title: Great concept, but time hasn’t been kind to the Razer x Gamevice dual-sided controller
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐☆☆ (3/5)
Review:
Announced at CES 2020 with plenty of hype, the Razer dual-sided iPhone controller (made in partnership with Gamevice) was an ambitious attempt to turn your iPhone into a true portable gaming console. Unlike clip-on controllers, this one wrapped around the phone, giving you a Nintendo Switch-like experience. Call of Duty: Mobile tournaments). Unfortunately
What worked well:
Where it fell short:
Looking back from 2026:
This controller arrived right before mobile gaming exploded with controller support (e.g., Genshin Impact, Call of Duty: Mobile tournaments). Unfortunately, the rise of Bluetooth controllers like the Backbone One and Razer’s own Kishi (released later in 2020) made this dual-sided model obsolete quickly. The wired connection was great for latency, but the lack of telescoping flexibility (it didn’t stretch for cases or different phone sizes) hurt its longevity.
Verdict:
If you find one cheap second-hand for an older iPhone (iPhone 6–8 or iPhone X/XS), it’s a fun piece of gaming history. But in 2026, skip it. Modern controllers offer better ergonomics, USB-C, and broader phone compatibility.
The prototype shown at CES (scheduled for a Q2 2020 release) is an immediate departure from Razer’s previous Kishi prototypes or the original Junglecat.