The necessity for a solid and reasonably priced controller for your Android phone has never been higher with the rise of mobile gaming and more lately cloud gaming. But can the GameSir X2 handle the workload? Check it out.
PLAYERS, PHONES, AND APPS COMPATIBILITY I must note one thing regarding the GameSir X2 right away. This attachment actually comes in a number of different designs that are essentially distinguishable by how they connect to your phone.
The original model (in white) uses USB-C to connect, providing the quickest connection possible. I used this one the most throughout the evaluation time. The Bluetooth version of GameSir, which is available in dark gray and functions with both Android and iOS, has the drawback of occasionally needing to be recharged.
The GameSir X2’s two variations very clearly copy the look of rival controllers like the GameVice and Razer Kishi as well as the Nintendo Switch, right down to the face buttons (ABXY). The USB-C version of the GameSir X2 has a Nintendo-style arrangement for its face buttons BAYX instead of ABXY, but most Android games assume you have a controller set up similar to an Xbox.
Notably, the Bluetooth model has an Xbox-style design instead. Luckily, you can modify the button layout in the controller’s firmware using GameSir’s shady, occasionally confusing program, whichever one you like. However, if you do this, it is obvious that your physical buttons’ appearances will differ from those in-game.
On the gaming front, you’re out of luck with this controller if you want to play a game that involves some finesse in how hard you pull the left or right triggers, like a racing game. The GameSir X2 only provides straightforward clicking triggers that can be fully pulled or fully released—neither option is available.
Furthermore, because the GameSir X2 can only expand to a maximum of 173mm, not all phones will work with it. For instance, the LG V60 would not fit into the controller but could just about fit into the Razer Kishi. However, my colleague Ben Schoon has discovered that while the Galaxy Fold 2 is obviously huge, it fits in the GameSir X2 but not the Kishi.
For those who own more recent Android phones, be aware that Android 11 currently has a bug that prevents game controllers from occasionally being detected or ignoring specific button inputs. Although not a problem unique to the GameSir X2, it was undoubtedly a problem that cropped up frequently throughout my review time.
The Amazon Luna app does not presently accept wired controllers on Android, rendering the USB-C model GameSir X2 worthless for that platform. This is the final point to keep in mind about compatibility.
DESIGN AND COMFORT ARE RELATIVELY GOOD IN THE HANDS As already said, the GameSir X2 imitates the look of the Nintendo Switch, for better or worse. Given the success of the system, it should come as no surprise that there are many controllers available that can convert your phone into a Nintendo Switch, but up to this point, I’d have to say that the GameSir is my favorite of the bunch.
Compared to the Razer Kishi, a popular competitor, The GameSir X2 includes two significant upgrades. The X2 I used has four unique directional buttons, which makes pressing the buttons more certain and is helpful for platformers like Celeste. However, GameSir changed their design for the 2021 models to a cross-shaped pad, which is a slight degradation from the Kishis squishy D-Pad but still an improvement.
Second, and more crucially, I can hold the GameSir X2 fairly comfortably. I didn’t experience a lot of hand or wrist fatigue while playing games like Murder by Numbers and Enter the Gungeon for extended periods of time. Even shooters like Outriders and Destiny 2 were easier to play on the X2 since I could modify my grip on the controller.
Even better, GameSir includes two sets of concave and convex nubs that you can attach to your thumbsticks for a bigger surface area. This had a major impact on enhancing my shooting accuracy, but I haven’t yet attained the degree of consistency I’m accustomed to with a regular controller. The absence of palm support is the major problem I experience with shooters.
There’s a reason why people choose the Nintendo Switch Pro Controller over the more portable Joy Con for more intense gaming sessions. Modern game controllers are an aesthetic blend of ergonomics, practicality, and style that have been developed over many generations by learning from human hands. A portable controller will never suffice as the sole controller.
If I could change anything about the controller’s design to make it more comfortable, I would increase the amount of support for the palms and tweak the wrist curve. But by that time, the X2 wouldn’t be the same squeaky-clean portable controller it is now. Anyone things considered, the GameSir X2 is more than capable for gaming, especially when on the go, for all except the most ardent gamers.
DURABILITY OF ODDS AND ENDS The GameSir X2’s all-plastic shell is perfectly suited for the damage that comes with being a portable game controller. For the past few months, I’ve virtually treated the controller like dirt, and the greatest outward harm it has sustained is some dust that has gotten trapped in the rubberized sections. Even oily hand stains are remarkably resistant to the X2.
Actually, I only have concerns about the X2’s USB-C model’s durability. The USB-C connector is a bit longer than you may anticipate to ensure that it can fully enter your phone, even when it’s in a case. Im a little worried about the controller’s long-term impacts on a phone’s USB-C port that is not protected by a cover, especially when combined with the clamping force employed to hold your phone in the X2. So far, nothing has gone wrong, but it seemed worth sharing nonetheless.
PORTABILITY The GameSir X2’s stretching design, which slides open to support phones up to 173mm in height and clamps them in place, is the secret to its portability. The X2 is still 175mm long in its shortest size, and when combined with the thumbsticks’ protrusions, the device is considerably too large to fit in a pocket. However, the size is more than adequate for packing in a bag.
Some models also have a carrying case with a zipper, which makes it simple to throw in your bag or backpack and ensures nothing will get broken or twisted in the sticks. An spare charging cable or even a battery pack can be stored in this enclosure.
BATTERY AND POWER There are two methods to consider battery life between the two GameSir X2 versions.
The X2 on the USB-C variant will be playable for exactly as long as your phone has remaining battery life, but the controller will use up your phone’s battery more quickly than usual. To address this, there is a USB-C passthrough port that enables simultaneous phone charging and extended gaming sessions.
While your phone must be recharged individually, the GameSir X2 BT’s 500mAh battery will unquestionably outlast your phone during a gaming session. This is especially true given that your phone cannot be charged while inside the X2 BT.
DO YOU NEED TO PURCHASE THE GAMESIR X2? You can’t go wrong with the GameSir X2 if you’re determined on obtaining a portable controller that transforms your phone into a Nintendo Switch or if you just want a controller you can quickly slip your phone into for an impromptu gaming session. The controller, though, is surely not for everyone.
It might be wiser to connect a full-size controller to your phone if you consider yourself a serious gamer or are otherwise searching for an ergonomic controller to lessen strain on your hands and wrists.
Retail price for the USB-C GameSir X2 for Android is $69.99, and it is offered by Amazon or direct from GameSir . The Bluetooth variant costs $59.99 and is compatible with iOS and Android.
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