Verdict
With an ideal match and really feel for gamers and gadgets alike, the £50/$46 GameSir X2s is without doubt one of the extra inviting cell recreation controllers available on the market. It’s lacking just a few quality-of-life options, but it surely’s hyper-durable and may simply adapt to altering play situations.
Pros
Hall Effect joysticksClicky microswitch buttonsGood match for gamers and gadgets
Cons
Passthrough charging port can’t be used to hook up with different devicesNot fairly as moveable as another cell controllersNo 3.5mm headphone passthrough
Hall Effect joysticksNo-contact expertise permits the joysticks to withstand drift for longer.
Microswitch buttonsPaired with the wired connection, the low-latency microswitches scale back enter lag exponentially.
Moveable Type-C portThe wired connection port can pivot to help the setup course of and add further flexibility and snugness to the match of your gadget.
Introduction
With clicky microswitches, ample grip, and a stunning colourway, the GameSir 2Xs simply competes with others attempting to make waves within the cell gaming house.
Oft forgotten out within the West, the place Razer, Backbone, and their partnerships have shaped a good grip across the cell gaming house, Gamesir continues to place out inexpensive and versatile controllers that don’t take themselves too critically.
The newest try at that’s the GameSir X2s – a Type-C controller grip that operates similarly to the Backbone One and Razer Kishi V2 Pro, extending with a pull to suit most of at present’s taller handsets.
Design
Inspired by a legendary handheld consoleGreat match for many handsSwappable, bigger thumbpads
The GameSir 2XS is a looker. It’s not attempting to be glossy or horny. Instead, it’s instantly delicate, cute, and playful – one thing that, in my opinion, captures the present core values of cell gaming.
Its mild gray exterior and blueish accenting create an attention-grabbing colourway for the youngsters, and it gained’t be detrimental to your cheerful decor when inevitably not noted on the espresso desk.
Image Credit (TechSwitch)
The design, in accordance with GameSir, is impressed by the Nintendo 2DS – a really kid-friendly gadget. It’s possible the thought behind the smaller-than-average joystick nubs that come pre-installed. Larger ones are included, however I had no situation utilizing the default selection.
There aren’t any wing-like grips such as you’d see on a console controller. The controller elongates the form of the gadget you fit it, with some huge, raised rubber on the underside to offer you just a little one thing to carry onto. It provides to the thickness over one thing just like the Backbone One, but it surely’s a welcome contact for added long-term consolation.
There’s no locking mechanism to this one. Wedge your telephone in opposition to the angled USB-C port, then pull the opposite facet out to suit. Both sides have a thick rubber cushion to type a good grip. So lengthy because it’s underneath 6.6 inches and longer than 4.3 inches (with or with out a case), your gadget ought to match simply high quality.
Image Credit (TechSwitch)
Unlike most cell controllers, the port can pivot up and down to help within the often finicky-feeling setup course of. The match can look just a little uneven, but it surely’s nonetheless cosy and safe, with no noticeable wobble in use. Folding telephones ought to match simply as effectively.
The packaging is a mixture of cardboard and delicate foam and is well recycled or tossed within the bin. There’s no sharp plastic or blister packaging to power your approach by way of, however the handbook and additional thumbpads are in just a little plastic bag.
Performance
Clicky microswitch buttonsAdaptable triggersFast connection and dependable thumbsticks
Without a USB-C iPhone at hand, I’ve needed to put the GameSir 2XS by way of its paces with a low-end Motorola Moto G04. If something, it’s indicative of how one can get a strong gaming expertise with a cut price handset, a half-price controller resolution, and your present Netflix subscription.
Using the mix that solely years in the past would have appeared like whole nonsense, I’m happy to report that the microswitches, albeit solely discovered within the shoulder buttons, made combating for my life in Dead Cells a doddle – their hairline actuation paving the best way.
Image Credit (TechSwitch)
It’s picked up immediately by different video games like Minecraft and Grand Theft Auto, without having to obtain the GameSir app until you’re trying to make high quality changes to the thumbsticks.
At no level did I really feel as if the tiny thumbsticks had been a detriment to my gameplay, both. It’s a disgrace the USB-C connection doesn’t give solution to a 3.5mm headphone jack. A solution to get quick audio out whereas utilizing the USB-C passthrough to cost is one thing you are able to do with choices from Backbone and Razer choices, however not right here.
Though you wouldn’t comprehend it with out the advertising supplies, the Hall Effect expertise seeps into the analogue triggers, making them hyper-reliable and delicate sufficient for racing video games.
Against the digital triggers of the Backbone, shooters like Call of Duty: Mobile really feel similar to the console model. Better but, you possibly can lock them to digital-like hair set off depth on the push of a button for further snappy taking pictures.
Image Credit (TechSwitch)
The face buttons and d-pad, whereas not as satisfyingly clicky because the shoulder buttons, profit from the very quick journey distance of microswitches. They keep away from feeling mushy and wobbly, however they’re additionally noticeably small, which might trigger points for these with bigger fingers.
Also notice that the GameSir X2s makes use of the ability out of your telephone to function. Leave it plugged in, and also you’ll discover your standby time drop. You can cost by way of the passthrough port simply high quality, however provided that the telephone is powered on when linked. If your telephone drains utterly, hooking it up through the passthrough gained’t cost it.
You can also’t use this port to hook up with an exterior gadget like a Steam Deck, PC, or Xbox. You can use adapters or one thing like a USB-C extension cable to repurpose the principle USB-C connector for this goal, however utilizing this as a multi-device controller isn’t so simple as some others available on the market.
Latest offers
Should you purchase it?
You need an inexpensive resolution to gaming on the go
Game streaming companies and the ability of cell gadgets means the £50 GameSir X2s is a really inexpensive gateway into top-tier cell gaming.
You’re a bigger grownup trying to get your recreation on
The easy form and smaller buttons of the GameSir 2XS make it onerous to become familiar with for those who rely on the bigger buttons of conventional recreation controllers.
Final Thoughts
With great and dependable microswitches and the flexibility to adapt to most video games, it’s onerous to discover a actual fault with the GameSir X2s at this worth.
A direct connection helps streamed video games really feel fluid, and the retro-inspired look is a breath of contemporary air in opposition to the sometimes glossy and moody competitors. It’s simply lacking a standard headphone jack for correct gaming-grade cans or these designed for smaller ears.
Though it will possibly’t get fairly as compact as the unique Razer Kishi, its barely bigger form feels extra sturdy than the Backbone One. If you may have bigger fingers and like the retro colourway, the GameSir G8 Galileo is value a glance. And for those who play high-intensity video games on greater settings, the lively cooling of the GameSir X3 may be a greater guess.
How we check
We check all our gadgets totally over an prolonged time frame. We use industry-standard checks to match options correctly. We’ll at all times let you know what we discover. We by no means, ever, settle for cash to evaluation a product.
Find out extra about how we check in our ethics coverage.
Was examined for not less than per week.
Used to play a wide range of on-device and streamed video games on a low-tier Android handset.
FAQs
Does the GameSir X2s include a companion app? Yes, the GameSir X2s comes with a companion app for iOS and Android, although it’s primarily used to regulate the sensitivity of the analogue sticks.
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UK RRP
Size (Dimensions)
Weight
ASIN
Release Date
First Reviewed Date
Ports
Connectivity
GameSir X2s
£49.99
177.9 x 84.36 x 37.53 MM
172 G
B08H7MBRYQ
2024
23/04/2024
USB-C
USB-C
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