GAMESIR X3 Type-C Cooled Mobile Gaming Controller
The GAMESIR X3 Type-C Cooled Mobile Gaming Controller is a smart option for mobile gamers who want a controller. The gamepad feels good in the hands and it gives users strong control over their games. There are a few design changes I would make (making the PD passthrough and fan power ports the same and maybe adding an onboard battery for the fan) and it would be nice if there was less setup needed for the user. The price is competitive with other mobile game controllers.
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DESIGN
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EASE OF USE
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PRICE
The controller provides an enhanced gaming experience for mobile gamers.
Even though there are an estimated two billion mobile gamers in the world, it’s not a hobby that I’ve picked up since it has become popular. Then, about six months ago, I decided to pick up my phone and try playing Call of Duty: Mobile. I found a community of gamers that have become like a second family to me.
One of the things that had been holding me back from joining online gaming was the requirement that I use on-screen touch controls rather than a handheld controller. Fortunately, there are several accessory companies that have created some remarkable gamepads for mobile phones.
These robust devices connect to a phone either through Bluetooth or a wired connection. The gamepad-style mobile controller is designed to wrap around a phone and make it feel a lot like the Nintendo Switch.
Because I’ve enjoyed playing online with my clan so much, I’ve found my phone tends to overheat quite a bit. Portable gaming coolers that attach magnetically do a good job of disseminating that heat, but they are a little cumbersome. That’s why I’m thrilled that GameSir integrated a cooler into their latest gamepad for Android phones — the X3 Type-C Cooled Mobile Gaming Controller.
About the X3 Type-C Cooled Mobile Gaming Controller
The X3 Type-C Cooled Mobile Gaming Controller is designed specifically for mobile gaming. It aims to ensure that gamers no longer need to make the compromise or decision between a mobile controller or a phone cooler – combining both into one device.
According to GameSir, “the phone cooler can allow up to a 12°C drop in the CPU temperature and 24°C drop in surface temperature and the wired connection maintains a zero-input delay whilst in use.” This controller is meant for pro-level gaming. It features bumpers, triggers, face buttons, and a D-pad that all come with Kailh switches that are resistant to up to 3 million clicks.
Main Features
- Working Platform: Android 9 or above
- Connection: Built-in wired Type-C to your phone, wired Type-C to the phone cooler
- Compatible Phone Size: 110-179 mm in length, within 10.5 mm in depth (camera depth excluded)
- Type-C port needs to be centered or almost centered horizontally & vertically as mainstream Android phones.
- For phones that have unique structures with gigantic rear bump like Lenovo Legion 2 Pro, the bump also needs to be considered. Lenovo Legion 2 Pro is not workable on X3 Type-C as the Type-C port is not centered or almost horizontally & vertically.
- Phone’s camera depth ≤ 3 mm.
- Battery: No
- Power Input for the phone cooler: 5V 2A
- Product Size: 1808848 mm / 7.093.461.89 in
- Net Weight: 270 g / 0.60 lbs
Pricing & Availability
The GameSir X3 controller is being offered through GameSir’s website and Amazon. At the time this article is being published, its list price is $99.99 USD.
User Experience
The GameSir X3 Type-C comes wrapped up in a hefty travel case that is deep enough to carry its USB-C cable and accessory box. One side of the case is dedicated space for the controller and the other is a mesh pocket for accessories. Because the controller’s fan requires a power source to function, I think finding a small power bank to carry in your travel case would be very beneficial.
The gamepad is spring-loaded and will extend to accommodate different sizes of smartphones. It does not, however, collapse or fold up for storage. This is one of the reasons I’m very happy that a case is included with the controller. It keeps it safe from environmental damage and makes it easier to take more places.
The USB-C plug attachment on the gamepad is flexible and can be bent (gently) so that the user can install their phone easily. I tested this device out with two different Android phones — the Sony Experia 10 and the Google Pixel 6 Pro. Both phones fit easily in the gamepad.
Connecting the controller to the phone is not difficult, but getting the mobile games to work with the controller can be a chore. As I mentioned, my game of choice is Call of Duty: Mobile. Activision has very strict rules about what controllers can be used by gamers. In order to make the controller work with the game, you have to map the buttons, triggers, and joysticks within the GameSir app.
There are some mobile gaming controllers that are plug-n-play. I’ve used my fair share of them and even though they all seem to have a companion app, the apps aren’t always a necessity for playing a game. In some cases, you can bypass the app altogether. That’s not the case with the GameSir — and certainly not for playing COD Mobile.
In order for the phone to recognize that it is the gamepad connected to it, you need to follow the instructions below.
- Download and install the GameSir app from Google Play. Do not open the app yet.
- Insert your phone into the controller. The gamepad should automatically turn on, but if it doesn’t, press the “G + Home” buttons on the controller to turn it on.
- After you see the controller is on (indicated by blue LEDs on the controller), press & hold the “G + Home” buttons on the controller to put it into G-Touch mode. When the blue LED turns green, you will know the mode has changed. This is the mode you need it to be in for mapping purposes. NOTE: G-Touch functionality is not compatible with all games.
- Once the controller is in G-Touch mode, open the GameSir app and make sure the app recognizes the correct device. It should show “GameSir-X3 Type-C” with a little link next to it indicating it’s connected. You will likely see on-screen prompts when you install your phone into the gamepad before you even open the app.
- At this point, you will want to add the games you want to access with the GameSir into the GameSir app dashboard. You can search for games through the app, but you will still download them using the Google Play store. If you already have the games you want to play installed on your phone, you can press the “+” in the dashboard to add the game to your GameSir library.
- After you start up COD Mobile, you will need to be able to see the controls on the screen. Then it’s a matter of moving the different GameSir controls to the right areas of the touchscreen. The right joystick should be set to sliding mode and the other should be in joystick mode. Once you are done, you will want to save the configuration to the device. To make things easier, GameSir allows users to share configurations and you should be able to find a COD Mobile configuration that is already set up and being shared.
GameSir does provide a written tutorial on this process but it states that it is for the GameSir X2. There are several different YouTube videos that also walk through the process, but I found this one to be the best. It was published in June 2022 so it is fairly recent and I can confirm that it does work with this controller.
After I used the shared profile from that YouTuber, I started playing normally. I never had any issues with the controller disconnecting. There were a couple of times my character locked up or had a delayed response, but for the most part, I was able to enjoy playing without the hassle of using the touchscreen controls.
The controller is very comfortable to play with and I could still reach the screen when I needed to. I thought the buttons and joysticks were responsive and registered my input movements as they should.
The cooling fan works wonderfully. I wish there was a different option for powering it since you end up being tethered to a cable and the goal of this device is to be mobile. I noticed after playing for 20-30 minutes that the phone was getting warm. So, I plugged in a battery and let the fan cool it down. The fan creates some noise but it works really, really well. The phone started cooling down quickly after turning the fan on and aside from the extra weight, I didn’t even notice it was there after a while.
Conclusion
While I still think some improvements can be made with this controller, it’s a great product and it really does enhance the way you play games. Gamepads like this one change the mobile gaming landscape for the better.
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