ACER Nitro Blaze 7 Hands-On: Unique Gaming Experience!

Hey everyone, it’s ETA Prime back again. Today, we’re going to test Acer’s thrilling entry into the handheld gaming market with the all-new ACER Nitro Blaze 7. With a 7-inch display and a Ryzen 78840U processor, this device looks like an intriguing way to enter the gaming industry. What if I told you, though, that this handheld had a months-long doppelgänger?

The TeranForce Connection: A Familiar Design

It’s interesting to note that the TeranForce Handle 5, a portable gadget that has been on the market for almost eight months, and the Nitro Blaze 7 seem remarkably similar. Although Acer’s Nitro Blaze 7 has undergone some modest design enhancements and improved specifications, the overall form factor and structure remain almost the same. Originally, TeranForce intended to introduce the Handle 7, a more potent version of their Handle 5, with nearly the same specs that Acer has now added to the Nitro Blaze 7.

This begs the question: Was an agreement reached by Acer to use the Handle 7 design and market it under their own name? In tech, this is not rare, particularly when it saves money and time on research and development. In any case, it’s a calculated approach that can work in Acer’s favor as well as that of the players.

Key Specs and Design Overview

The ACER Nitro Blaze 7 packs some impressive hardware. It features:

• Ryzen 78840U (an upgrade from the Handle 5’s Ryzen 7840U)
• 16 GB of RAM running at 6400 MHz
• 7-inch 144Hz FreeSync display (an upgrade over the Handle 5’s 120Hz screen)
• 50Wh battery

The AMD 780M GPU, which guarantees strong performance in the majority of games, is the same for both the Handle 5 and Nitro Blaze 7. Furthermore, the display’s boost to 144Hz is a noteworthy improvement, albeit possibly a touch excessive for an integrated GPU (IGPU) given that demanding games are unlikely to achieve such frame rates. 

Design and Build: Spot the Difference

The Handle 5 and Nitro Blaze 7 are almost identical when compared side by side. Acer has added decals to the Nitro Blaze and made little adjustments, like adding a red button beneath the D-pad and swapping out the home logo for a lightning bolt. This button probably leads to a proprietary Command Center where you can change performance parameters and maybe even start games.

Both devices include the same dual-vent cooling mechanism, a volume rocker, a USB-C port on top, and a 3.5mm headphone jack. Additionally, they have a microSD card reader for additional storage.

A Deja Vu Moment

I couldn’t get rid of the sensation that I had seen this design before when I first saw the Nitro Blaze 7, and sure enough, it’s almost exactly the same as the Handle 5. Acer probably worked out a contract to realize TeranForce’s idea of a Ryzen 78840U model (Handle 7) with a 144Hz display.

The Nitro Blaze 7 has a minor performance boost, but the true distinction is in the software features and branding. The Blaze stands apart because to Acer’s modifications, especially for people who appreciate Acer’s global brand reputation and customer support.

Overkill on the Display?

On paper, the 144Hz display on the Nitro Blaze 7 seems fantastic, but there is a continuous discussion regarding whether or not it is really needed. Although the 780M IGPU is strong, most handheld games struggle to run at speeds above 120Hz, especially at higher settings. Even while the visual is stunning, it might not be possible to continuously achieve those high frame rates.

The OEM Trend in Handhelds

Acer’s entry into the handheld gaming space is consistent with recent developments in other tech sectors. There has been an increase in OEM handhelds, which are pre-built gadgets that businesses can personalize with their own brands. Several businesses frequently sell virtually the same portable gadget or mini PC under various brand names. This lowers expenses and expedites the release process, freeing up funds for companies like Acer to concentrate on customer experience and marketing.

A noticeable increase in OEM handheld gaming consoles from Chinese manufacturers can be found by searching AliExpress. It should come as no surprise that more businesses are entering this sector given how well-liked portable gaming is. They are manufacturing OEM-based handhelds that are resalable under different names and may be customized by brands. This development is especially intriguing since it provides a low-cost entry point for smaller businesses into the gaming industry, negating the need for significant R&D expenditures. Given its remarkable similarities to both the TeranForce Handle 5 and the future Handle 7, the ACER Nitro Blaze 7 appears to be a member of this movement.

FreeSync: The Game Changer

The Acer Nitro Blaze 7’s FreeSync display is one of its best features and a huge plus for fans of portable gaming. FreeSync prevents screen tearing, which is a common issue when a game’s frame rate falls below the refresh rate of the display. However, it does not boost the frame rate of your game. Playing Spider-Man: Miles Morales at 45 frames per second will cause grating screen tearing without FreeSync, which could be quite distracting. When combined with the Radeon 780M IGPU, FreeSync maintains stability and guarantees a smooth gaming experience even when performance drops.

Acer Nitro Blaze 7 Specs Overview

The AMD Ryzen 78840U, which powers the Nitro Blaze 7—which has eight cores, sixteen threads, and a boost of up to 5.1 GHz—has been formally introduced by Acer. It features an RDNA 3 780M IGPU with a clock speed of 2700 MHz for graphics. Thus far, Acer has only disclosed the specifications of its 16GB LPDDR5X RAM, which operates at 7500 MHz and is remarkable for a mobile device.

With a 7-inch 144Hz 1080p IPS panel and FreeSync, the display can reach 500 nits of brightness and respond in 7 milliseconds. Although some may contend that 144Hz on an IGPU is overkill given that most games won’t hit those frame rates on such hardware, these characteristics put it squarely in the race with high-end handhelds. Even so, it’s a nice feature to have for more fluid gameplay in easier games.

The Nitro Blaze 7 has two USB4 ports, a microSD card slot (SD 4.0), a 50Wh battery, and 65W rapid charging in addition to supporting 2280 SSDs up to 2TB for storage. Additionally, Acer intends to incorporate its in-house Game Space software, which would enable customers to manage their collection of games and adjust performance settings.

What’s Missing: Pricing

The price of the Nitro Blaze 7 is one of the most important aspects of its success. Acer has not yet disclosed prices, but it is imperative that they find the ideal equilibrium. It won’t be simple to compete with industry titans like the Steam Deck and ROG Ally X. For instance, the ROG Ally X has a much larger battery (80Wh) and more RAM (24GB) than the Nitro Blaze 7, which has a 50Wh battery. With its OLED display, the Steam Deck offers a very competitive price point.

If Acer hopes to make a name for itself in the market, they will have to set the Nitro Blaze 7 price aggressively. The 50Wh battery is likely only going to last two hours of gaming at high settings, which raises concerns about battery life—especially when running AAA games at higher TDPs. This is a significant distinction from the ROG Ally X’s 80Wh battery that may affect consumers’ purchasing choices.

Can Acer Compete?

The Nitro Blaze 7’s success for Acer ultimately comes down to cost. With features like the 144Hz FreeSync display and Game Space software, they might have a shot if they can equal or lower the price of the Steam Deck OLED. They face fierce competition, though, from the ROG Ally X, which offers better RAM options and longer battery life.

Given that this rebranded device is effectively a TeranForce Handle 7 with a new skin, it will be fascinating to see how it performs. Though it’s evident that Acer is putting their own unique touch on things with software and design changes, the underlying technology tells a well-known tale.

What Do You Think?

At what price point would you feel compelled to purchase the Acer Nitro Blaze 7? Please share your opinions in the comments section below. As always, I appreciate you reading!

Video review of ACER Nitro Blaze 7: A Rebranded Handheld or Something More?