Launched on Wednesday, The GameSir X5 Lite is a low-priced iPhone sport controller that may stretch to suit an iPad mini whereas nonetheless costing lower than $40.
Wraparound controllers have been a factor for ages, however they had been held again by Apple’s reliance on the Lightning port and the expensive MFi program. Since Apple’s swap to USB-C in iPhone and iPad, there was a sluggish trickle of recent controllers from many producers.
The newest entry is the GameSir X5 Lite, which brings all of the performance somebody might want to play any controller-compatible sport on iPhone or iPad. It strips out all of the pointless cruft to supply naked minimal specs at a really low worth.
GameSir made the wonderful G8 Galileo, which I reviewed in 2024, however it was restricted to iPhones and price $80. The massive grip design, changeable face plate, and programmable additional buttons helped it earn that worth level.
For no matter motive, it wasn’t till the Abxylute S9 {that a} wraparound controller was launched that would do every thing the Galileo G8 might do, plus a bit extra, and match the iPad mini. Not like the $150 Razer Kishi Extremelyit was $80.
The GameSir X5 Lite proves that iPad mini compatibility would not should be a premium characteristic. Coming it at $34.99, it’s the lowest priced wraparound controller with a strong construct and base specs.
GameSir X5 Lite overview: Design
There’s not a lot new to say about wraparound controller design. After Spine One perfected the sliding mechanism, many producers have adopted the idea.
GameSir X5 Lite overview: a well-recognized controller design and structure
The iPhone or iPad mini slips into the grips by attaching the USB-C connector and pulling the controllers aside till they grip the machine. The result’s a Nintendo Swap-like console with controllers on all sides of a show.
The GameSir X5 Lite could be very small, however the grips are thick with a slight curve that helps with ergonomics. Whereas it’s extra grip-able than the even-smaller Spine One, it’s nonetheless small in comparison with a standalone controller.
There are two colours obtainable, black and a lightweight inexperienced referred to as wasabi. The inexperienced could be very slight and washes out simply when photographed, which is why a few of the pictures on this overview are nearer to white than inexperienced.
Not like the opposite iPhone grip controllers we have reviewed in recent times, there are not any customizable face plates or joysticks. This, together with the straightforward plastic building, seemingly helped get the value so low.
The joysticks are corridor impact sticks, which suggests they use magnets to find out the place of the joystick. This eliminates issues like drift.
GameSir X5 Lite overview: loads of area for the iPhone digital camera bump
The entire face buttons and triggers are easy membrane-style buttons. The triggers have a really brief actuation distance.
There are pads that cushion the iPhone when it’s set within the grip. these are simply eliminated and changed with totally different sized pads that assist account for circumstances.
The controller is designed to account for the iPhone digital camera bump. For the reason that USB-C plug is on the left facet, the digital camera bump finally ends up on the backside of the machine, making it relaxation on the controller again plate.
GameSir X5 Lite overview: Options
Because of the minimal specs and design, the GameSir X5 Lite has little or no in the way in which of particular options. It may be custom-made, like many different GameSir controllers, utilizing the GameSir app on Android.
GameSir X5 Lite overview: iOS mode is indicated with a purple ring
There are two working modes — iOS/Swap and Android. The controller was within the Android mode out of the field, however it was straightforward to change by holding the menu and choose buttons.
There’s a turbo mode too, simply maintain the M button then press the button you need to assign to turbo. Clear turbo mode by holding M and urgent the House button.
Customers can even swap the operate of the A-B or X-Y buttons by holding the M button and A button. That is helpful for those who is likely to be used to the alternate sample.
GameSir X5 Lite overview: preserve your iPhone charged with USB-C energy passthrough
After all, like every sport controller, the buttons may be remapped in iOS Settings.
The GameSir X5 Lite has a USB-C port for energy passthrough. There is no such thing as a headphone jack for audio, which was seemingly a deliberate selection for price saving.
General, it features with out situation as a gaming controller. Response instances are instantaneous since it’s plugged in, and there is not any want to fret about battery life.
Utilizing the GameSir X5 Lite
There is a distinction between slicing corners to get a worth down and rethinking a product to stability wants and worth. GameSir does the latter with the X5 Lite.
GameSir X5 Lite overview: a well-thought design in a low-priced bundle
It is a useful sport controller that feels good within the hand and is straightforward to make use of. It has all of the buttons it must play any trendy sport or emulation with out compromise.
I am not a multiplayer gamer on any system, however particularly not on cellular, so I will not miss the headphone jack. Nevertheless, that may be seen as a extra premium characteristic anyway, since it’s seemingly solely obligatory for players in search of lag-less wired headset audio.
The joysticks are a bit small, so they do not have a lot journey both. Although, the face buttons are a typical measurement.
I can simply suggest this controller to anybody utilizing an iPhone with a USB-C port. And whereas it is nice that it really works for iPad mini too, the smaller grip measurement may not be supreme.
Glorious controller, mini worth
Except you need the additional customization choices and programmable buttons discovered on different, dearer, controllers, there is not any motive not to decide on the GameSir X5 Lite. It’s properly made, sturdy, and ergonomic whereas additionally becoming each iPhone and iPad mini.
GameSir X5 Lite overview: nailing down a worth and have set
At this level, it appears controller producers like GameSir have arrived on the naked minimal spec for such controllers. I count on there might be a number of entries from opponents at comparable features and worth factors.
The following revolution in these wraparound controllers might be of their sliding backplate design. Whereas these controllers are nice for cellular gaming, they’re fairly massive and may’t collapse down right into a extra transportable trend.
I haven’t got any complaints concerning the GameSir X5 Lite. It’s going to be an incredible possibility for informal players not in search of each attainable characteristic or for youthful players.
The worth is its primary characteristic. At a whopping $115 lower than the primary controller to help each iPhone and iPad mini, it is a steal.
GameSir X5 Lite overview – Professionals
Extremely low worth
Has all of the controls obligatory for gaming
Ergonomic design
Sensible padding system to account for circumstances
GameSir X5 Lite overview – Cons
May be a bit small for some
Score: 4.5 out of 5
These controllers are getting extremely aggressive. I gave the Abxylute S9 controller an ideal rating as a result of it checked all of the packing containers, was nice for any buyer, and hit a superb worth level under $100.
The one place the X5 Lite falls brief is its measurement. It would not have as many options as a flagship just like the Abxylute mannequin, however it has every thing it wants and nothing beats it on worth.
The place to purchase the GameSir X5 Lite
Get the GameSir X5 Lite from GameSir’s web site for $34.99. Finest Purchase additionally carries the controller, however the retailer is out of inventory on the time of this overview.
