GameSir X2 USB-C mobile controller review: Elevating Xbox Game Pass streaming

Gamesir X2 Review Source: Windows Central

Thanks to Xbox Game Laissez passer, nosotros can now play a diverseness of Xbox games right on our phones via deject streaming. Typically I prefer tablets for Xbox Game Pass cloud streaming, for their larger displays, but sometimes you merely don't want to carry a large tablet effectually alongside a controller.

The best style to apply Xbox Game Pass mobile right at present is typically on a telephone, using a gamepad clip like the Razer Kishi. The Kishi is a fiddling on the expensive side, and fits but a small subset of Android devices. What if at that place was something that worked with practically whatsoever Android phone? This is the 40% cheaper GameSir X2, arguably the best telephone clip for gaming that I've ever used.

Gamesir X2 Review

GameSir X2

Bottom line: All things considered, the GameSir X2 is probably the best mobile controller for Xbox Game Pass cloud streaming correct at present.

The Good

Probably the best overall clip for Xbox Game Pass mobile gaming right at present
Keen activeness on the triggers and buttons
Huge versatility spanning practically any telephone
USB-C connector eliminates Bluetooth lag issues

The Bad

Absolutely terrible settings app
Right start stick is uncomfortable for larger hands

GameSir X2: Price and availability

Gamesir X2 Review Source: Windows Key

The GameSir X2 is currently priced at $60 every bit of writing, making it markedly cheaper than its closest competitor, the Razer Kishi and the Razer Junglecat. Yous tin take hold of it from the official GameSir website direct, or via most online retailers. Amazon stocks the GameSir X2; just make sure you're purchasing the correct i. The white GameSir X2 Type-C is USB-C based. At that place'due south besides a grey-colored GameSir X2 that uses Bluetooth instead.

GameSir X2: The good stuff

Gamesir X2 Review Source: Windows Primal

The GameSir X2 is a USB-C based phone clip, eliminating the horrible latency that comes with Bluetooth. Virtually of the gamepads and phone clips on the market place tend to lean on Bluetooth connectivity, but if you're playing Xbox Game Laissez passer titles via the cloud, adding more latency into the mix is prohibitive. The X2 has a unique patented USB-C connector pivot that makes it piece of cake to slide in practically any USB-C based telephone into the channel.

The clench has a rubberized grip at ane end, ensuring that it remains firmly in place, aslope a strong leap-loaded design that makes positioning easy and unproblematic. I was using the Razer Telephone 2 as my Xbox streaming device, owing to the front-facing speakers and 16:9 aspect ratio. It works well with practically whatever telephone, though. My Samsung Milky way Note 20 Ultra fit like a glove, even with the instance on.

The GameSir X2 comes with a carrying case, as well equally additional safety grips if you prefer them. The grips can help the ergonomic feel of the sticks, which while not as good as the best Xbox controllers out in that location, remain amongst the best tertiary-party joysticks I've used. The action on the triggers and buttons are good too, with a handy lip on the triggers to help with gripping and action. Accentuating the triggers is incredibly like shooting fish in a barrel, and it wasn't long until I but settled into gaming, forgetting I was supposed to be reviewing the production.

The GameSir X2 has two carve up modes. One is the standard Android gamepad layout, and another is specifically designed for Xbox. Once you've plugged information technology in for the first fourth dimension, yous can take hold of a carve up GameSir app to flip the controller into Xbox mode if yous're playing to employ it with Xbox Game Laissez passer. At offset, it wasn't recognizing the offset and view buttons, but afterwards restarting the controller, information technology worked as intended, and hasn't given me whatsoever issues since.

The reverse of the controller has a decent amount of space to promote airflow, and the controller itself has a good amount of battery life, which should final through longer all-24-hour interval gaming sessions. The USB-C port also allows pass-through charging for your docked phone, although some older phones don't back up charging while the gamepad is in employ. The battery life is decent enough that this shouldn't exist an effect unless you're going difficult all day, though.

Some other awesome feature on this controller that beats competing solutions is the inclusion of a screenshot button, making information technology very Nintendo Switch-like. The contrary corners have rubberized grips and rounded edges, although the shape is cleverly designed to sit flat while it's on a table, rather than at an angle. All in all, GameSir did a corking job across every attribute of this device's hardware.

GameSir X2: The bad stuff

Gamesir X2 Review Source: Windows Cardinal

While the hardware is cracking on the GameSir X2, I cannot say the same for the app experience. Finding the settings to flip the control scheme from Android to Xbox was a bit of a job, cached in a rudimentary store system. The firmware updater was unclear too, and the localization into English isn't great, with many typos and grammatical errors. Hopefully GameSir can polish it upwardly in the hereafter.

The only other major criticism I can leverage at the X2 is the stick positioning. It's a very physically cramped controller, smaller so even than the Nintendo Switch itself. Angling my thumb on the outset stick, towards the lower portion of the right side, actually felt quite uncomfortable over time. I think it would accept been better to put the stick up at the top, given how minor it is, simply I go that they wanted to mimic the offset style found on the Nintendo Switch and on Xbox controllers. Perhaps future versions will iterate on this a bit. I think the X2 could stand to be a footling longer, and perhaps a little wider, to accommodate some of the best tablets for Xbox Game Pass gaming too, fifty-fifty if it was just the eight-inch models.

GameSir X2: Competition

Gamesir X2 Review Source: Windows Central

The GameSir X2 is honestly the best device of its type I have used, and I've used a fair few now in pursuit of a mobile controller that can elevate the Xbox Game Pass mobile experience.

The GameSir X2 isn't equally comfortable to apply as the Razer Kishi, arguably, merely the triggers and buttons feel nicer, and the joysticks are at least comparable. The GameSir X2 also comes with a conduct case, added thumbstick rubber grips, and a clamp pattern. The clamp solitary makes it a better proposition than the Razer Kishi, which is only compatible with a pocket-size subset of phones. Almost other controllers I've tried take far too many downsides, and stuff similar the 8bitdo just feels incredibly uncomfortable to utilize. All things considered, I'm quite happy to call the GameSir X2 the best mobile phone clip for Xbox Game Laissez passer streaming right now.

GameSir X2: Should you buy it?

Gamesir X2 Review Source: Windows Central

Honestly, the GameSir X2 is probably the best mobile phone controller adapter I've used. The USB-C connectivity eliminates the lag that comes with Bluetooth, and the X2 fits a far wider variety of phones than some of its competition. The unique moving USB-C connector makes setup piece of cake, and being able to play games across both Android and Xbox Game Pass bypasses the awkwardness of touch controls.

You should purchase this if ...

You desire to game on the go, without the awkwardness of touch
You lot like playing games on Android devices, but hate Bluetooth latency
You want something like the Razer Kishi, but for less $$$

You lot shouldn't buy this if ...

Your phone doesn't support USB-C
You have an iPhone

Yes, the app is incredibly janky, and aye, the controller is a chip on the small-scale size. If you're someone with particularly large easily, I uncertainty you will discover this to exist super comfy. In any case, they're minor gripes that don't affect the overall experience.

This is cheaper than its principal competition, while supporting a larger array of devices, complete with a bear case, and arguably superior button and trigger action. All things considered, this is the best controller option for Xbox Game Pass cloud gaming right now, and definitely worth because.

Gamesir X2 Review

GameSir X2

Bottom line: If you're non a fan of using the bear upon controls on Xbox Game Pass deject streaming, grabbing a mobile controller might be a ameliorate option than lugging around a full Xbox controller. All things considered, the GameSir X2 is the best value-for-coin option right at present, with great features, and a keen price.

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