TL;DR
Acer unveiled its oversized Nitro Blaze 11 at CES 2025 with a planned spring release that never materialized. The company says recent tariffs and the need to relocate manufacturing capacity pushed the device and its siblings off the near-term roadmap.
What happened
At CES 2025 Acer introduced the Nitro Blaze 11, an unusually large gaming handheld, and indicated it would arrive in the second quarter. That target passed without any product launch or follow-up announcements. When asked about the silence at CES 2026, an Acer America representative, Lisa Emard, told The Verge the announcement came right before a tariffs-related disruption. According to Emard, Acer redirected effort toward its core laptop lines while it worked to secure manufacturing that wasn’t based in China. She added the company does not have imminent plans to bring those handhelds to market. The Verge’s reporter had previously handled the device a year earlier but found no subsequent updates or availability after the original reveal.
Why it matters
- Tariff developments can directly alter product launch timetables and priorities for global hardware makers.
- Acer’s pause removes a high-profile contender from the growing handheld gaming segment, affecting competition and consumer choice.
- Shifts in manufacturing strategy — including moving production out of China — can delay or cancel planned devices.
- Signals that companies may prioritize established product lines (like laptops) when supply-chain disruption occurs.
Key facts
- Acer previewed the Nitro Blaze 11 at CES 2025.
- The device is an unusually large, 11-inch gaming handheld (described as oversized at the time of demo).
- Acer had targeted a second-quarter release that did not happen.
- There have been no public updates about the Blaze 11 or its smaller siblings since the announcement.
- At CES 2026 Acer’s Lisa Emard linked the product’s delay to a tariffs situation and related manufacturing challenges.
- Acer shifted focus toward its core laptop products while seeking manufacturing options outside China.
- Acer told The Verge it has no imminent plans to offer the Blaze devices.
- The Verge reporter handled the device around a year earlier but found no subsequent availability.
What to watch next
- Whether Acer announces a revised timeline or revival for the Nitro Blaze 11 — not confirmed in the source.
- Updates from Acer about new manufacturing locations or partners outside China that could enable postponed products — not confirmed in the source.
- Any formal cancellation notices or product-spec changes for the Blaze lineup from Acer — not confirmed in the source.
Quick glossary
- Tariffs: Taxes or duties imposed on imported goods that can increase production costs and affect supply chains.
- CES: An annual technology trade show where companies frequently unveil new consumer electronics and prototypes.
- Handheld gaming device: A portable electronic device designed primarily for playing video games, often with integrated controls and screen.
- Supply chain: The network of manufacturers, suppliers, and logistics that produce and deliver products to market.
Reader FAQ
Was the Nitro Blaze 11 officially canceled?
Acer said it has no imminent plans to offer the device; an official cancellation was not explicitly stated in the source.
Why did Acer delay or pause the Nitro Blaze lineup?
Acer cited a tariffs situation that prompted the company to focus on core laptop products and to seek manufacturing outside China.
Is there any new launch date?
Not confirmed in the source.
Do smaller Blaze models share the same status?
The source notes there has been no word about the smaller siblings and Acer indicated no immediate plans to offer those products.
TECH GAMING NEWS What happened to Acer’s giant Nitro Blaze 11 gaming handheld? Acer shook up the handheld space last CES through sheer size alone. Then US tariffs hit. by…
Sources
- What happened to Acer’s giant Nitro Blaze 11 gaming handheld?
- Acer Nitro Blaze 11 | 10.95-inch Handheld Gaming
- Gaming handhelds might be the next victim of U.S. import …
- Trump's tariffs force Acer to raise laptop prices by 10%
Related posts
- MSI’s Crosshair 16 Max HX shrinks chassis and ups gaming hardware
- Uber, Lucid and Nuro unveil production-ready robotaxi at CES 2026
- Los Angeles passes new law ending a peculiar refrigerator rite