GameSir Releases the X5s, a Versatile Take On Its Budget Smartphone Controller

GameSir has announced a caller 'pro' mentation of its X5 Lite mobile controller, called the X5s. The caller controller is simply a large upgrade implicit its fund sibling, featuring much connectivity options and features that marque it dependable a batch similar a cheaper Scuf Nomad with much than conscionable iPhone support. Smartphone gamers tin prime it up for $49.99 astatine Amazon, Best Buy, and GameSir's website.

The large alteration is that the X5s works wirelessly, wherever its predecessor was wired-only, designed to beryllium compatible chiefly with smartphones. The caller controller works implicit Bluetooth and 2.4GHz wireless, though you'll person to bargain the dongle for that separately. GameSir promises the X5s volition enactment with some Nintendo Switch consoles, Android, iOS, and PC.

But connectivity isn't each that's being upgraded – the X5s besides gets a spot bigger, and is capable to straddle devices betwixt 105mm and 213mm, oregon wide capable to acceptable the Switch 2 if you ditch its Joy-Con controllers. (I don't cognize wherefore you'd privation to, but hey, it's bully to person options, right?) It's besides a spot heavier, astir apt successful ample portion due to the fact that of caller hardware inside, with dual HD rumble motors and Nintendo Switch-native 6-axis question control. It inactive has hallway effects sticks similar its predecessor, but similar the $39.99 GameSir X2s – a coagulated fund telephone controller – the X5s besides features hallway effects triggers with a dedicated hair-trigger mode, truthful you don't person to compression them truthful dang overmuch to get disconnected a changeable successful an FPS oregon whatever. Yet with its larger grips and wireless connectivity, it besides one-ups the X2s and lone costs $10 more.

There's immoderate customization present arsenic well, similar the quality to swap the ABXY configuration truthful Nintendo gamers aren't stuck with the A fastener successful the incorrect spot. And via GameSir's app, you tin set things similar the trigger and analog instrumentality dormant portion oregon the spot of the rumble motors. It astir apt doesn't person the physique prime of the $129.99 Razer Kishi Ultra oregon the slick bundle integration of the $99.99 Backbone One, but not everyone needs oregon cares astir that worldly if they're conscionable looking for an affordable mode to play games connected their phone.

Wes is simply a freelance writer (Freelance Wes, they telephone him) who has covered technology, gaming, and amusement steadily since 2020 astatine Gizmodo, Tom's Hardware, Hardcore Gamer, and astir recently, The Verge. Inside of him determination are 2 wolves: 1 that thinks it wouldn't beryllium truthful atrocious to commencement collecting crippled consoles again, and the different who besides thinks this, but much strongly.