Project AVA (Razer AVA) by Razer: Complete Guide 2026
A factual guide to Project AVA (Razer AVA): what Razer has announced, what is still unconfirmed about price and availability, and where the reservation information applies.
$20
US reservation deposit (confirmed)
Early 2027
Release window (Early Access)
5.5"
Holographic display
Pending
Final price and included avatars
Grok
Confirmed model reference
~$270 / €249
Unofficial price
Status checked — October 19, 2026
Razer's published window is now early 2027, under Early Access and without an exact date. Until mid-October it was H2 2026. The $20 US reservation deposit is distinct from the unofficial ~$270 / ~€249 price. Razer hasn't announced the final price yet. Sumi and Niko are the current avatar names. Faker and Sao are not listed on Razer's current avatar page.
01.What Is Project AVA (Razer AVA)
Project AVA (Razer AVA) is Razer's first AI holographic desktop companion: a physical device with an integrated 3D display that projects an animated avatar you can interact with in real time using voice and text. It's not an app or a conventional screen — it's a physical object that brings AI presence to your desk.
The idea is straightforward: instead of talking to an invisible chatbot in a browser tab, you get a character with a body, voice, and personality sitting on your desk. According to Razer, it can help you plan your day, give advice, translate in real time and keep you company while you play. Since GDC 2026, Razer has also been working on having it carry out multi-step tasks, such as opening apps or kicking off a stream setup.
AVA isn't the only device in this space. If you want the bigger picture, start with what an AI hologram is (and isn't), then see how AVA stacks up against its alternatives, Gatebox and xAI, or in our head-to-head Razer AVA vs Everthine A1 (formerly Lepro Ami).
02.The Hardware: The Holographic Cylinder
The device is a compact cylinder that sits on your desk next to your monitor. Its 5.5-inch display uses 3D projection technology to create an illusion of depth — no special glasses required. The image is contained within the cylinder, but the visual effect is significantly more immersive than any flat screen.
3D Holographic Display
5.5" cylinder with integrated 3D projection. Animated avatar visible without additional glasses.
Camera, Mics and Speaker
HD camera with ambient light sensor and dual far-field mics. With PC Vision Mode, AVA can also analyze what's on your screen.
USB-C Connection
A USB Type-C port for data and power. Razer requires a direct wired connection to a Windows PC.
Windows Platform
Razer says it is designed for Windows users. No official confirmation of Mac or Linux support.
What PC do I need?
Razer hasn't published minimum CPU, memory or graphics requirements. All it asks for is a Windows PC and a direct USB-C cable connection. Be wary of requirement tables that circulate online: they don't come from Razer.
03.Avatars: AVA, Sumi and Niko
The official page shows three avatars, each with its own personality, voice and look. Razer warns that avatar selection and animations are still under development and not final. You can switch avatars while keeping the memories and bond you've built.
AVA
According to Razer, a steady, dependable companion with clear answers and a calm presence.
Sumi
Formerly Kira. According to Razer, a caring friend who listens and brings warmth.
Niko
Formerly Zane. According to Razer, a quick-witted advisor who fuels bold moves.
At CES 2026, Razer showed five avatars: AVA, Kira, Zane, one in the likeness of Faker (the T1 League of Legends player) and Sao, inspired by Saori Araki. Kira and Zane have become Sumi and Niko. Faker and Sao don't appear on the official page and Razer hasn't confirmed whether they'll arrive.
Razer hasn't announced skins or paid avatars. It has said it wants to let users create their own avatars and has invited game studios to bring their characters to AVA, but with no dates. We cover it in our guide to avatars, skins and customization.
04.AI: Which Model It Uses and What It Can Do
In the CES 2026 demos, AVA's responses were generated by Grok, xAI's model. Razer has said AVA is an open platform and that it wants it to be compatible with other models, such as Gemini or ChatGPT, and with a Razer AI of its own. It hasn't confirmed which will be available at launch or whether any models will run locally.
Privacy: what we know
Razer says interactions with AVA are protected by your Razer ID and that beta data is wiped at the end of the program. It hasn't explained where conversations are processed or whether anything works offline.
Agentic AI: AVA Takes Action, Not Just Answers
At GDC 2026, Razer presented AVA as a proactive assistant: it can take on a multi-step goal and work through it, instead of just answering. Beta participants are the first to try it. These are the examples Razer gave:
Setting up a stream → AVA starts the workflow, launching the relevant tools and moving the setup forward.
Opening apps → If you ask it to open an app, AVA launches it.
Coordinating plans → Aligning schedules, organizing sessions or confirming plans, even coordinating with another person's AVA.
05.Price and How to Reserve
Unofficial price: ~$270 USD in the US and ~€249 in Europe. Razer hasn't announced the final price yet. The current reservation deposit is a fully refundable $20 that applies to your final purchase price.
$270
USD (estimated)
US market — not officially confirmed
€249
EUR (unofficial)
Europe — unofficial price
$20
Deposit
Fully refundable before completing purchase
Units are allocated in reservation order. For Europe and international markets, official Razer reservations aren't open yet. Sign up for our waitlist to get notified as soon as your region opens. For the full country-by-country breakdown and currency conversions, see our Razer AVA price page.
06.Release Date: Early 2027
Razer now expects Project AVA (Razer AVA) to launch under Early Access in early 2027. Until mid-October 2026, its product page and reservation terms said the second half of 2026. No exact date has been set, and Razer has not explained what Early Access includes. What changed.
A specific date
"Early 2027" is still a window. The next useful announcement is a month or day when purchases open for reservation holders.
The final price
Only the $20 deposit is official. The retail price should arrive, at the latest, when the first batch of reservations is released.
What Early Access includes
Razer has not said whether the early 2027 version will be final or a first release that keeps expanding.
For a detailed breakdown with the full timeline, see our article: When Does Project AVA (Razer AVA) Come Out?
07.Availability by Country
Official Razer reservations are currently open only in the United States. For the rest of the world — including Europe and Latin America — Razer hasn't announced an opening date yet, and it hasn't said whether it will follow the US launch.
Check the latest status region by region on our Razer AVA availability page, or join the waitlist below to get notified the moment reservations open in your country.
08.Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need special PC hardware to use Project AVA (Razer AVA)?
Razer hasn't published minimum hardware requirements. It asks for a Windows PC connected directly to the cylinder with a USB-C cable.
Does Project AVA (Razer AVA) work without an internet connection?
Razer hasn't said. The demos used Grok, a cloud model, and Razer hasn't confirmed any offline features.
Can I change the avatar or customize its appearance?
You can choose between the available avatars (currently AVA, Sumi and Niko) and change looks while keeping your memories. Razer hasn't announced skins or paid avatars.
What is the Project AVA (Razer AVA) beta and how do I access it?
It's a test program for the AVA software on PC. Sign-up is through Razer Cortex, and Razer said invitations would start rolling out in Q2 2026.
When will Project AVA (Razer AVA) be available outside the US?
Official Razer reservations are currently US-only, and Razer hasn't announced dates for other markets. Sign up for our waitlist to be notified first.
Is Project AVA (Razer AVA) compatible with Mac or Linux?
No official confirmation. Razer says it is designed for Windows users.
Notify me when it's available in my country
Leave your email and we'll notify you the moment Razer opens reservations in your region. No spam — only relevant AVA updates.