Acer has an extensive exhibition at this year’s CES expo, featuring a bevy of new products from laptops to gaming and AI PCs, and even an e-scooter. Among these was the announcement of two new gaming handhelds, the Nitro Blaze 8 and Nitro Blaze 11. However, it’s the Nitro Blaze 11 that has caught people’s eyes with its expansive 11in display that almost makes it look like a tray.
Acer goes big
Both devices share roughly the same internals. They’re powered by an AMD Ryzen 7 8840HS processor, optimised for AI. They have 16GB RAM and a total of 2TB of storage. The WQXGA touch panels are not OLED, but anything beyond 1080p is passable enough for the average player. Screens reach 144Hz and can reach 500 nits brightness. The only difference is that the Nitro Blaze 8’s screen measures 8.8in, while the Nitro Blaze 11’s is 10.95in.
The Nitro Blaze 11’s controllers are detachable and the console includes a built-in stand so you can play and move the screen wherever you please. It also features a front camera for video calls and streaming. Both devices support Wi-Fi 6E and Bluetooth 5.3. Additionally, buyers get three free months of PC-only Game Pass.
Acer also announced its Nitro Mobile Gaming Controller, a foldable secondary remote controller with an adjustable length of up to 8.3in. The plug-and-play controller is compatible with both Android and iOS devices. It can also connect via USB-C and comes with rubber tips for extra grip.
How much of a market there is for this device is hard to guess. We suspect the Blaze 11’s size is mostly a marketing gimmick to justify its price, but we’ll let you know if we ever get our hands on one. The Nitro Blaze 8 will retail in South Africa for R18,000, and the Nitro Blaze 11 for R22,000 if you insist on the extra screen space. Both will begin shipping sometime in Q2 this year. The Nitro Mobile Gaming Controller will cost R1,400 and start shipping in Q1. We’ve reached out to Acer South Africa for exact release dates and availability.
