Blacknut partners LG & Razer collab to develop a new Bluetooth gaming controller that could greatly reduce the input lag for cloud-based gaming.
LG has partnered with Razer and MediaTek to develop a groundbreaking Bluetooth gaming controller designed to dramatically reduce input lag, perfect for cloud gamers. According to LG, this will be the first controller to leverage Ultra-Low Latency (ULL) Bluetooth technology, an emerging standard aimed at making wireless controllers as responsive as wired ones.
A Game-Changer for Cloud-Based Gaming
The new controller was unveiled at LG’s webOS Summit, where it was pitted against a standard Bluetooth controller in a side-by-side comparison. According to LG’s report, the ULL-enabled controller demonstrated superior responsiveness, minimizing input lag and offering greater control precision. This is particularly crucial for fast-paced gaming genres like first-person shooters, fighting games, and racing titles, where even milliseconds of delay can affect gameplay.
Input lag on Bluetooth controllers varies widely depending on the model and environmental factors, with anything under 10–20 milliseconds generally being acceptable. However, many competitive gamers prefer wired controllers due to their lower latency.
Razer’s new ULL Bluetooth controller, though, promises to rival wired counterparts, with reports suggesting it achieved an astonishing 1ms input lag during the demonstration — a game-changing achievement for cloud gaming.
How ULL Bluetooth Stands Out
LG Newsroom
Wireless controller latency has long been a challenge for gamers. Google attempted to tackle this issue with its now-defunct Stadia platform by allowing its controllers to connect directly to its data centers over Wi-Fi, bypassing Bluetooth's inherent latency. While Stadia didn’t survive, the effort highlighted the need for more responsive wireless controllers in the cloud gaming era. Following Stadia’s closure, Google unlocked Bluetooth functionality on its controllers, enabling them to be used on a variety of devices, but the quest for lower latency continued.
Now, LG’s implementation of Bluetooth ULL technology — integrated into select 120Hz OLED and Mini LED TVs using MediaTek’s MT7921 WiFi chipset — could be the answer. These TVs are expected to launch in 2025 and will include built-in ULL support, providing a smoother, faster experience for gamers. Additionally, LG is working on certifying third-party controllers that support ULL to ensure seamless compatibility with its webOS-powered smart TVs. Razer will be the first to receive this certification, further solidifying the partnership between these tech giants.
What’s Next?
While details such as the price, release date, and even the official name of Razer's ULL Bluetooth gaming controller remain under wraps, we’re likely to hear more soon. CES 2025, which takes place January 7th–10th, could be the stage for further announcements about both the controller and LG’s ULL-supported TVs. What do you say?