Without a doubt, the Gamesir X3 is a high-quality piece of equipment. Mobile gamers will find it difficult to find a more complete solution for their Android devices with fully adjustable thumbsticks, a swappable D-pad, and a cooling fan attached on the back. All those added features do, however, have some negative design aspects. This is not an easy item to add to your daily bag because of its bulky form and hefty feel. Over the course of three weeks, we put the Gamesir X3 to the test to determine where it stands among the top mobile controllers.
Gamesir x3 design
This is a big controller, that much is certain. The GameSir X3 clearly doesn't follow the same design aesthetic as, say, the lean Razer Kishi because of its substantial base (to support the whole fan glued to the back) and wide controller grips. The extra size does give the X3 a good overall feel, though, assuming you're willing to give it some bag room. Where the mobile phone battery would allow me, I was able to work for hours without experiencing any of the cramping or exhaustion that are frequently associated with using these wraparound gamepads.
Thanks to a soft edge running along the inside of each controller side, the retractable back opens and closes without causing any damage to the corners of the phones I was using. The USB-C connector is located along the right edge. It has a port that is noticeably flexible and has enough movement to make it easier to slide a phone into the grip.
With the red and blue thumbstick bases, the black and white design is strikingly reminiscent of the Switch. Your thumb-tapping titles will feel much more substantial with this polished look. When playing more leisurely, there is a piece that must be avoided called the fan (and requires a USB-C power connection to actually function). Being baked into the plastic of the case itself is a touch disappointing, especially because it is largely unnecessary unless you are seated close to a power outlet. Naturally, it is useful and effective when in use, but it significantly reduces mobility, which is crucial for mobile controllers like these.
Gamesir x3 feature
The GameSir X3 is among the gamepads I've used that has the most features, despite the fact that it is a brick. With the aforementioned cooling fan, swappable parts (something we typically only see in more expensive PC controllers), and a complete complement of buttons, there is more than enough to justify the $99.99 price tag.
The 8-direction D-Pad, an option I've never utilized on a mobile controller before, is a particular highlight; needless to say, this is the gamepad I'll be using moving forward for Dead Cells. Along with a full set of bumper and trigger buttons up top, there is also USB passthrough charging available when the fan is not being powered. I'll just say for now that the switches packed inside of this (Kailh) feel great beneath the fingers before we go into more detail regarding these shoulders. The D-Pad and face buttons also utilise similar switches, which results in a great, low-travel feel.
You may create a beautiful light show by turning on the fan. Although such a display is somewhat unnecessary because it is located on the underside of your phone, it is a great extra touch on top of an expensive controller.
Performance of GameSir X3
The GameSir X3 is quite enjoyable to use. Under the thumb, those clicky Kailh switches seem sensitive, especially in the shoulder buttons. It has never felt better to fly through Dead Cells while wielding dual daggers, especially coming from the bulk of mobile controllers' mushier Xbox-style buttons. These buttons have the qualities you would desire for more twitch-reaction genres: they are flat, quick, and crisp.
The D-Pad has the same texture, but it's softer. When using a conventional 4-D pad, the base is a touch shaky, which makes the gameplay feel a little sloppy. The integrated 8-direction pad turns this annoyance into a victory, though, as each angle is picked up with a reasonable amount of accuracy in smaller-scale situations.
The reality of switching those buttons is a another matter. Since each button is kept in place by a powerful magnet, you'll have to work incredibly hard to get it free. During my testing, I was unable to remove the face buttons or the D-Pad for a sizable period of time simply because my fingernails were too short to pry them free from their housings. But with that larger stem, the thumbsticks snap in and out fast and easily.
That expensive cooling system that not everyone will find suitable? It undoubtedly does. The Black Shark 5 Pro gaming phone can get a bit heated during longer or more intense sessions, but when it's connected to the fan, everything stays cool and even the very tiny throttling that might happen when settings are at their maximum is somewhat reduced.
Must you purchase the GameSir X3?
Hardcore gamers may get all they want with the GameSir X3, which is undoubtedly a high-end piece of equipment. However, for $99.99, it is comparable to today's top-tier mobile controllers. The new Razer Kishi V2 costs the same $99.99 MSRP as the Backbone One for iPhone, despite the similar-looking Razer Kishi currently selling for roughly $50.
But the distinctive qualities that make the GameSir X3 so beneficial at this price point might also be the ones that make it an unsuitable choice for some people. Although many people will find it useful to be able to replace their thumbsticks and buttons, the inclusion (and power requirements) of the cooling system will undoubtedly cause other people to look at alternative solutions.
You might not like the extra bulk if you're looking for a portable solution to add some buttons to your phone. However, you're onto a winner if you're running some really demanding ga
mes and generally staying close to a plug point.