Android Audio
AC Contributor, vinyl collector, and hobbyist drummer Brady Snyder dives into the world of headphones, earbuds, audio system, streaming, and every thing in between in Android Audio.
Up till this 12 months, it in all probability wasn’t a good suggestion to take a position severe cash in perfecting your Android gaming setup. There have been some nice equipment in the marketplace, however smartphone {hardware} wasn’t prepared but.
That formally modified in 2025, when Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8 Elite cellular platform turned actually succesful for gaming and Wi-Fi 7 introduced Ethernet-like speeds to Android telephones. So, is it time to construct out an Android-focused cellular gaming ecosystem?
Razer simply introduced the BlackShark V3 Professional, a $250 esports-caliber gaming headset designed for platforms like PC and console, but additionally works with cellular platforms like Android and iOS. I have been testing it for over per week, looking for out whether or not this sort of audio gear is extreme or simply proper for Android gaming.
Extra importantly, whether or not this premium headset can cowl all of your cellular gaming and music listening wants. This is what I discovered.
It is lastly time to start out taking Android gaming significantly
I examined the Razer BlackShark V3 Professional as a part of a standout cellular gaming setup powered by the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 at its core. This cellphone has an 8-inch principal show and a Snapdragon 8 Elite for Galaxy chip inside, making it the proper gadget for moveable gaming. Other than the BlackShark V3 Professional, I additionally tabbed the Razer Kishi Extremely as my cellular controller.
This whole setup prices round $2,400 — however the bulk of that’s the $2,000 foldable. It turns into much more life like when you swap the Galaxy Z Fold 7 for one of many different nice Snapdragon 8 Elite telephones obtainable. You possibly can additionally seize the Kishi V2 for $100 as a substitute of the $150 Kishi Extremely.
The BlackShark V3 Professional’s construct high quality and luxury options are spectacular
Gaming headsets are beginning to sport extra premium designs and subdued appears to be like, and that is true of the Razer BlackShark V3 Professional. There is not any obnoxious RGB right here — only a glossy design obtainable in white or black colorways. You get refined Razer branding on the highest of the headscarf and on the ear caps, that are swappable and customizable. I attempted the white one, however assume the black model is barely extra low-key.
The benefit of this sort of type is you could put on the BlackShark V3 Professional out and about with out wanting too unusual. The headset’s growth mic slots into the three.5mm headphone jack and is removable. When eliminated, the BlackShark V3 Professional can go undercover, mixing in with all the opposite over-ear headphones on the market.
Going again to the premium really feel, the stitching on the leather-based headband appears to be like and feels good. The ear cushions are product of reminiscence foam and are lined with a fabric cowl, which may be very snug. A leather-based or fake leather-based ear cushion may look extra premium, however I feel fabric makes extra sense right here, because it’ll maintain up higher towards sweat and might be simpler to wash.
Moderately than adjusting the match of the BlackShark V3 Professional by way of the headscarf, you do it with a steel wire connecting to the ear cap and audio meeting. When you get the hold of it, this feels simpler and extra pure than the everyday adjustment strategies.
Consolation is an enormous cause why I feel you could possibly use BlackShark V3 Professional as your principal pair of wi-fi headphones. They really feel nice to put on and the reminiscence foam helps consolation even throughout lengthy listening or gaming periods. It isn’t that cumbersome, at the very least for a gaming headset.
The BlackShark V3 Professional weighs 367 grams, and that is lower than the 385-gram AirPods Max, that are my baseline for evaluating heavy headphones. I would choose utilizing a lighter pair for day by day use, but when Apple can get away with it, so can Razer.
The sound high quality and ANC is approach higher than I anticipated
Razer’s BlackShark V3 Professional impressed me with its sound high quality and energetic noise-canceling capabilities, particularly for a headset. If you dive into the specs, it would not find yourself being all that stunning. Razer is utilizing customized 50mm drivers with bio-cellulose diaphragms and bigger magnets. That results in large sound, higher frequency separation, and improved sound imaging.
In different phrases, the BlackShark V3 Professional has the audio tech inside to supply nice sound, whether or not you are gaming or listening to music. For gaming, these parts make it simpler to inform the place an enemy is coming from, or hear a chest close by. Whereas listening to music, the advantages translate to creating a large soundstage with a spatial really feel.
Lively noise-canceling is not going to beat headphones from Apple, Sony, and Bose, however it’s greater than serviceable on the BlackShark V3 Professional. I used to be capable of cancel out planes flying over my balcony whereas utilizing the BlackShark V3 Professional at half quantity, which is all I really want. Should you’re attempting to dam out somebody watching TV within the subsequent room whilst you’re gaming, this headset has you coated.
Ambient mode leaves a bit extra to be desired. It allows loads of sound when the quantity is low or there is not any audio coming out of your gadget. Nevertheless, whereas gaming or listening to music, it is considerably laborious to listen to the folks round you even with ambient mode enabled. To be truthful, ambient or transparency modes usually sound like this till you get into the ultra-premium sector of ANC earbuds and headphones.
One factor I really like in regards to the BlackShark V3 Professional is how versatile the headset is for connectivity. You possibly can join the headset to your gadget wirelessly by way of Bluetooth, wired by way of USB or 3.5mm, or utilizing a 2.4GHz receiver. Moreover, the BlackShark V3 Professional options twin reference to Bluetooth and a couple of.4GHz concurrently. Meaning you will be gaming in your PC or console whereas streaming music out of your cellphone and listen to all of it via the headset.
Better of all, the three.5mm jack works in analog mode, that means you should use it with out powering on the headset. This function is nice for retaining the video games or music going when your wi-fi headset dies, and it’s miles too uncommon in 2025.
The Razer Audio app is the house for managing the BlackShark V3 Professional’s settings and controls on Android, and it is fairly good. It is considerably barebones, however all of the toggles you want are entrance and heart. You possibly can allow Bluetooth low-latency mode for gaming, select considered one of 9 EQ presets, and choose a management for the customizable curler on the aspect of the headset.
Who should purchase the Razer BlackShark V3 Professional gaming headset?
All advised, I liked utilizing the Razer BlackShark V3 Professional with my favourite Android telephones. Is a bit overkill? Perhaps. At $250, it is quite a bit to spend on a cellular gaming headset, however the worth proposition will get quite a bit higher when you can squeeze some further utility out of it.
Cell players who additionally dabble in PC or console gaming can use the BlackShark V3 Professional for each. For the reason that BlackShark V3 Professional is surprisingly good for music listening, utilizing the headset as your main over-ears will internet you lots of further worth. Consider it or not, $250 is barely thought of mid-tier for over ears, so one thing just like the BlackShark V3 Professional could be less expensive than the greatest headphone choices.
One of the best Android gaming headset
With wonderful options like ANC, low-latency mode, and twin connection, the Razer BlackShark V3 Professional is a stable selection for Android players. It has the sound high quality chops to be your principal pair of headphones, too.
