GameSir X3 Type-C Mobile Game Controller Review: Cool Combo for Android Phones - CNET

2 years ago 69

GameSir's X3 combines a customizable Android telephone gaming controller with a remarkably effectual cooling system. From the front, it looks a batch similar different mobile gaming controllers specified arsenic the Razer Kishi oregon Backbone One -- with the objection of a ample silicone-coated pad betwixt the 2 power grips. That pad adds much than conscionable immoderate grip to assistance clasp your phone: It's a Peltier cooling module backed by a vigor descend and a seven-blade instrumentality to propulsion vigor away.

Originally an Indiegogo project, the X3 Type-C controller is disposable from Amazon and direct from Gamesir for $100 oregon £100. (It's presently unavailable successful Australia, but the UK terms converts to AU$178.) The terms is mean for a controller similar this, though others don't person integrated cooling systems. GameSir besides includes a carrying case, 2 concave and 2 convex thumbstick caps, 2 high-rise thumbsticks, a faceted D-pad and a 1.5-meter USB-C cable.

I tested the X3 retired with my Google Pixel 6 Pro and chiefly playing Xbox Game Pass games. The Pixel slots successful a small easier acknowledgment to the flexible, tiltable USB-C connector. The controller can't beryllium utilized with a lawsuit connected your phone... not due to the fact that it won't acceptable (though it didn't with either of the slim cases I tried) but due to the fact that the telephone has to beryllium touching the cooling pad to beryllium effective. The controller accommodated the Pixel 6 Pro's large camera bump though, and the controls were progressive and acceptable for gaming arsenic soon arsenic the USB-C connector was successful the phone's port.

Attaching the Google Pixel 6 Phone Pro to the USB-C connector connected the GameSir X3 controller.

Out of the box, the ABXY buttons are acceptable up similar an Xbox controller. However, you whitethorn person to update the controller's firmware earlier they really correspond to those buttons erstwhile utilized with Game Pass. To bash that, download GameSir's mobile app, unfastened the app and link your telephone to the controller. The app should past inquire you to update if it's necessary. For those who privation a Nintendo Switch controller layout, the buttons are magnetically attached and tin beryllium lifted retired and moved into the layout you want.

Again, the controls enactment astir arsenic soon arsenic a telephone is connected truthful you tin commencement gaming close distant and it lone draws 2mAh of powerfulness from your telephone to use. There's nary built-in battery. The cooling strategy requires an outer powerfulness root similar a powerfulness slope oregon a partition adapter (neither are included) to beryllium connected to the USB-C larboard astatine the bottommost of the cooler.

A presumption of the bottommost of the GameSir X3 Type-C mobile crippled controller.

There is simply a 2nd USB-C larboard connected the bottommost close of the controller. That larboard is utilized to complaint your instrumentality portion gaming if you link a powerfulness slope oregon partition adapter to it and your telephone supports passthrough charging (the Pixel does). That means if you privation to chill and support your telephone charged simultaneously 2 USB-C cables volition request to beryllium connected to the controller.

The cooling starts astir instantaneously erstwhile connected to a powerfulness source. There is nary powerfulness power oregon thing truthful erstwhile you plug the controller in, the rear instrumentality spins up and its colorful RGB lights footwear on. The silicone pad past gets crystal acold and starts pulling vigor distant from your phone. It seemed to lone instrumentality seconds earlier my telephone wholly cooled off.

The rear seven-blade instrumentality connected the GameSir X3 Type-C controller.

The controller is comfy to use, assuming you don't caput being tethered to a powerfulness root for the cooling system. GameSir utilized Kailh switches on the buttons and D-pad. The ABXY buttons rattle a spot and don't consciousness astir arsenic crisp arsenic the different buttons. (Maybe a grounds of being capable to popular them retired and determination them around.) All the buttons person an audible click, truthful if you request to crippled quietly, it'll beryllium hard with this controller. The bumper buttons are astir flush with the assemblage and, portion it's not a large deal, they could basal to beryllium a small taller.

Overall, the GameSir X3 Type-C is arsenic promised: A mobile gaming controller that tin besides support your telephone from overheating. Fortunately, it doesn't consciousness arsenic kludgy arsenic it mightiness dependable and the cooling strategy works amazingly well. Add successful the included accessories, and you've got a coagulated all-in-one solution for Android telephone gaming.

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