The GameSir X4 Aileron is a professional controller for Android telephones

I’ve by no means been a lot of a mobile gamer as a result of I really feel contact controls can by no means emulate the precision of a mouse and keyboard or the user-friendliness of a correct controller. That is why I used to be involved in reviewing GameSir’s X4 Aileron, which turns your Android phone right into a handheld gaming console by including a cushty controller format, tactile buttons, and different professional features.

So, what’s so particular concerning the X4 Aileron? As an alternative of a bar linking the left and proper sides just like the Backbone One or Razer Kishi, it has a two-piece design providing a cosy match whereas permitting severe gamers to connect cooling followers or wi-fi chargers. The ingenious design has magnets that enable two sides to fit collectively right into a compact form for simple carry and to cost its batteries by way of the USC-C port.

Other than its design, the X4 Aileron has professional options and incredible customization choices to make it stand out and elevate it above the competitors. I spent every week with it to see what it might do and to seek out out if it might ship on its huge guarantees to transform me right into a cellular gamer.

Really useful

GameSir X4 Aileron Controller

The GameSir X4 Aileron transforms your Android telephone right into a handheld console and consists of spare elements, rear paddles, and different professional options to raise your gaming expertise.

Professionals

• Unimaginable customization choices
• Improbable worth
• Snug really feel and user-friendly format

Cons

• Cannot cost whereas in use
• Uncomfortable in standalone mode

Associated

How we test and review products at Pocket-lint

We do not do arm-chair analysis. We purchase and take a look at our personal merchandise, and we solely publish purchaser’s guides with merchandise we have truly reviewed.

Value, availability, and specs

A novel design full of professional options

Pocket-lint

Upon opening the white cardboard field, I used to be pleasantly stunned to discover a elegant, stable black protecting case with a helpful lanyard and a dual-zip design. Nestled within the padded inside was the controller with two further pairs of stick caps in several sizes and a spare D-Pad. Additionally within the field was the guarantee data, a GameSir sticker, and a one-month GamePass Final subscription price $10.

The GameSir X4 Aileron’s two sides have spring-loaded clips that open to simply accept Android telephones in all sizes and mechanically near lock them in place. There is no energy button to fret about, and the controller activates and pairs by way of low-latency Bluetooth mechanically when it detects the telephone, though you may must take away the case to get it to work.

As soon as linked, the X4 Aileron supplies ample actual property and delicate texturing on the again to supply a agency grip and stop fingers from slipping. The general design emulates the Xbox controller, with related ABXY buttons, D-pad, and stick placement that the majority gamers will discover snug.

Current GameSir merchandise go the additional mile with regards to efficiency, and the X4 Aileron options magnetic Corridor Impact sticks, which provide improved responsiveness and no drift as a result of no transferring elements contact one another. You additionally get tactile ABXY buttons with a satisfying clicking sound on every press and a 0.6mm actuation distance. The snug triggers have adjustable journey, and two rear paddles present further in-game performance for well being power-ups or throwables.

For these into RGB lighting, the X4 Aileron provides tasteful gentle rings across the sticks, offering delicate styling with out going excessive. Concern not in case you aren’t into lights as a result of you’ll be able to flip them off, regulate the colours, or change between presets with the accompanying app, which I will contact on later.

Charging is a breeze. When the left controller is locked collectively, a single USB-C port fees the 400mAh batteries on either side. You will not have the ability to juice up the controller whereas taking part in, however I did not discover it a giant deal as a result of the 4 to 5 hours of playtime had been sufficient for me.

Associated

This $50 mobile controller is cheap, and might remind you of a Nintendo Switch

The GameSir GameSir X2S is reasonable, but it surely does what it’s imagined to, offered you do not thoughts its small stature.

What I like concerning the GameSir X4 Aileron Controller

An Android game-changer

Pocket-lint

I used to be impressed by the X4 Aileron’s stable building, and it appears like a premium product due to its Corridor Impact sticks, tactile buttons, and total ergonomics. The additional elements add to its enchantment as a result of you’ll be able to customise your gaming expertise, and all the pieces is secure and straightforward to hold with the helpful carry case.

One other factor that stood out was its user-friendliness. I appreciated that it turned on and paired mechanically once I locked my telephone in place and was detected by most video games without having to vary settings or calibrate the controller.

GameSir retains issues easy with a user-friendly app for fine-tuning the sticks, adjusting the triggers and lighting, and checking the battery ranges. After I switched the stick caps to those I most popular and adjusted the software program settings, I had a bespoke controller fine-tuned to my preferences with the precise sensitivity and set off journey I needed for my video games.

Talking about gameplay, the X4 Aileron added a brand new dimension to my cellular expertise as a result of I not wanted to make use of delicate contact controls on a cramped show. I had the liberty to benefit from the recreation on the fullscreen with the correct analog and set off inputs I desire.

I attempted the X4 Aileron with a collection of Android video games and located that it had wonderful responsiveness with no lag and was simpler to make use of than my telephone for racing video games like Asphalt 8 and combating video games like Shadow Knight and Mortal Kombat. The default motion and set off settings had been a tad gradual for shooters like GangStar however had been simply remedied with the GameSir app for higher responsiveness.

The X4 Aileron helps cloud gaming and provides unimaginable worth by including a one-month GamePass Final subscription to play common video games like Forza Horizon 5 and Hole Knight. My favourite function on the X4 Aileron is Steam Hyperlink compatibility, which permits me to take pleasure in PC video games like Tiny Tina’s Wonderlands, Crusader Kings 3, and Soul Calibur VI on my telephone. I would by no means taken the app critically due to its mushy controls, however the controller opened a brand new world for me by turning my telephone right into a mini Steam Deck.

Associated

Razer’s Kishi Ultra is the best mobile controller I’ve used, despite its one unfortunate flaw

It is so near being good.

What I do not like concerning the GameSir X4 Aileron Controller

It might use some refinement in some areas

Pocket-lint

The X4 Aileron will not work with a telephone case, and eradicating it for each gaming session may be inconvenient, but it surely is not a dealbreaker contemplating the expertise it supplies.

One of many X4 Aileron’s nifty methods is that it may well work as a standalone controller with out attaching it to your telephone by holding the Share and Xbox buttons to pair them collectively. This function is sweet in concept, however the weak magnets and lack of a clip imply you have to maintain the 2 items collectively firmly, or they crumble when taking part in. The free match makes taking part in with the X4 Aileron uncomfortable in standalone mode, and it really works much better when hooked up to a telephone.

I am unable to full this overview with out addressing the X4 Aileron’s lack of pass-through charging as a result of it may not be very best for gamers eager to take pleasure in prolonged gaming classes longer than 4 to 5 hours. Alternatively, the two-piece interlocking design reduces its measurement and makes it a extra sensible choice to bulkier rivals for gamers on the go.

Associated

Backbone One review: Turn your phone into a mini games console

This increasing controller grip is a superb selection for anybody hoping to do some gaming on the go together with their.

Do you have to purchase the GameSir X4 Aileron Controller?

It is a candy deal

The GameSir X4 Aileron is a must have device in case you’re a severe cellular gamer. Its snug form and user-friendly format modified my view of taking part in video games on my telephone, and its $100 price ticket is a cut price contemplating its premium building and in depth customization choices.

Really useful

GameSir X4 Aileron Controller

Associated

7 essential Android apps to try on your next road trip

You will love these apps for audiobooks, podcasts, and extra.