Gamevice Flex review: Finally, a controller that works with iPhone cases - AppleInsider

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The Gamevice Flex takes a acquainted look for iPhone-connected controllers and enhances it with 1 elemental diagnostic — the quality to support your iPhone lawsuit connected during use.

Gamevice offered 1 of the archetypal crippled controllers that took vantage of Apple's MFi programme and attached to the sides of the iPhone oregon iPad. The institution has since iterated connected that thought with a fistful of utile updates.

There are a fewer notable differences betwixt the Gamevice Flex (available astatine Amazon) and the cheaper Gamevice model. However, the astir important upgrade is the quality to usage astir iPhone cases with the controller attached.

Gamevice Flex design

Anyone who utilized Gamevice controllers successful the past, oregon immoderate models of the Razer Kishi, volition beryllium instantly acquainted with the Gamevice Flex. The controller is stored successful a compact form, past tin beryllium folded retired and "clamped" astir the iPhone to alteration it into a tiny crippled console.

Attach the Gamevice Flex to crook your iPhone into a handheld gaming console

Gamevice Flex uses the classical set and outpouring method to link the controller's 2 sides. Each controller conceals a outpouring mechanics connected by bands that conscionable a coagulated integrative portion successful the middle.

When the controller is unfurled, it is escaped and dangles by the connector bands. Other modern controllers usage a rigid sliding mechanics similar the Backbone One and the Razer Kishi V2.

Overall, the plan of the controller didn't change, though it has bigger grips and much look buttons. Gamevice added a screenshot fastener and an app launcher button.

Fold up the Gamevice Flex erstwhile it isn't successful use

What sets the Gamevice Flex isolated is its quality to connect to an iPhone with a lawsuit attached. The controller comes bundled with respective adapters that link to the controller to guarantee a choky grip connected the iPhone.

A measuring instrumentality included successful the container tells you which adapter to take for the near and close sides of the controller. It measures up to a lawsuit size of astir 0.5 inches thick. It works with thicker protective cases, but don't expect the thickest cases similar Otterbox Defender to fit.

The adapters descent into the Gamevice Flex and click into position. They tin beryllium exchanged for antithetic sizes if the idiosyncratic switches cases.

Using the Gamevice Flex

The Gamevice Flex functions similar immoderate different iPhone controller of its kind. Once the iPhone is attached, it is connected via the Lightning larboard for zero-lag gameplay input.

Hall effect triggers consciousness large erstwhile pressed

The buttons are clicky and responsive, though not excessively noisy. The hall-effect triggers consciousness large erstwhile pressed and adhd an constituent of physicality to immoderate games similar shooters oregon racing sims.

The screenshot fastener tin beryllium utilized to instrumentality screenshots with a treble press. A surface signaling begins with a agelong press.

The Gamevice fastener connected the close broadside of the controller launches the Gamevice Live app. It works likewise to the Backbone One's launcher, but it is lacking successful a fewer ways.

The Gamevice Live app is poorly optimized and doesn't gain the dedicated hardware button

First, the Gamevice Live app is not optimized for the iPhone 14 Pro lineup. The Dynamic Island covers the UI elements connected the near sidebar.

Second, selecting a crippled successful the app doesn't ever motorboat it. Usually, it links straight to the App Store oregon a "how to play" document, past the idiosyncratic has to navigate from there.

We've recovered that simply navigating to the crippled we privation to play is overmuch easier than utilizing the Gamevice Live app. It besides lacks societal features oregon immoderate compelling crushed to usage the app, truthful the dedicated fastener feels wasted.

Charge the iPhone portion playing utilizing the passthrough port

The Lightning larboard allows for passthrough charging portion playing, and the headphone jack enables zero-lag audio. These features are modular connected immoderate controller of this style.

Despite the unspeakable app and wasted button, everything other astir the controller is excellent. While we similar the rigid sliding mechanics of different controllers, the bands aren't excessively overmuch of an contented since the controller tin fold up for storage.

As we said previously, the selling constituent of this controller is its quality to enactment with a lawsuit attached. The lone downside is it is hard to alteration the inserts, and you'll request to support up with the container of inserts too.

A container of inserts is included, though the inserts tin beryllium pugnacious to alteration out

Other controllers person been built to astir precisely acceptable the iPhone's signifier and size. The Backbone One, for example, didn't relationship for an summation successful camera bump size and needs an adapter to work. It surely won't enactment with a lawsuit attached, nary substance however thin.

Should you bargain the Gamevice Flex

Anyone who uses a lawsuit connected their iPhone and wants a controller similar the Gamevice should get the Flex, nary question. The information it tin beryllium utilized without removing the lawsuit much than makes up for the outpouring and strap plan of the grips.

The outpouring and set mechanics connects the 2 sides of the controller

However, this controller physically connects to the iPhone via the Lightning port. Apple is rumored to beryllium moving to USB-C successful the adjacent twelvemonth oregon two, truthful support that successful mind.

Those who mean connected keeping their existent iPhone for a mates much years volition get their money's worth. Anyone looking to upgrade their iPhone successful 2023 whitethorn nary longer beryllium capable to usage the Lightning-based Gamevice Flex oregon immoderate Lightning-connected controller, for that matter.

Gamevice Flex Pros

Gamevice Flex Cons

Rating: 4.0 retired of 5

The Gamevice Flex is simply a important betterment from erstwhile models. The people would leap up if the adapters were easier to alteration out.

The adapters click into place, but bash not person a mode to descent backmost retired without force

This instrumentality would get a cleanable people with 2 circumstantial changes. First, determination to a rigid descent mechanics alternatively of the outpouring and set one. Second, marque the Gamevice Live app gain the dedicated fastener connected the controller.

Where to bargain the Gamevice Flex

The Gamevice Flex is disposable for iPhone and Android, truthful beryllium definite to acquisition the compatible version. It costs $109.95 and is disposable from the Gamevice website oregon Amazon.