Most of my gaming is completed on my Home windows rig or the PlayStation 5, and whereas I are likely to play just a few informal titles on my telephone, they do not want a controller. I did not hassle with cell controllers up up to now, however utilizing the Steam Deck reinvigorated my curiosity in handhelds (I am obsessive about Balatro), and I wished to see what Android has to supply.
It did not take lengthy to appreciate that Android has quite a lot of superb video games, so I wanted to get my fingers on a cell controller. I’ve a dozen PS5 and Xbox controllers, however I wished one thing designed for use with a telephone, and my search led to GameSir, particularly the G8 Galileo.
The G8 Galileo is GameSir’s newest cell controller, and it has quite a lot of distinctive options. It has full-size triggers and buttons, and it’s simply as comfy to make use of because the Scuf Reflex Professional, my most popular PS5 controller. It has an extensible design that may simply slot in a wide range of telephones, and the USB-C port pivots, making it extremely handy to connect a telephone to the controller.
In the event you’ve tried out a cell controller however weren’t happy with the sizing or construct high quality, it’s best to check out the G8 Galileo.
GameSir G8 Galileo: Pricing and availability
GameSir unveiled the G8 Galileo in November 2023, and the cell controller prices simply $79 on Amazon. You may as well purchase it for a similar $79 retail value by way of GameSir’s web site, and whereas you do not get a carrying case with the package deal — not like different GameSir merchandise — you should buy a bundle by shelling out a further $10.
GameSir G8 Galileo: Design and options
The G8 Galileo is bigger than different cell controllers, and this can be a good factor. Utilizing it in opposition to GameSir’s X3 controller, the distinction is instantly noticeable — the full-size D-pad, triggers, and buttons make it really feel nearer to utilizing an Xbox controller, and that goes a great distance whereas gaming.
The match and end is excellent; the G8 Galileo feels significantly better in-hand than the X3, and the contoured design on the again with the textured end makes it extremely comfy to carry and use. That stated, it’s on the heavier aspect at 251g, and once you add the load of a telephone, you are going to discover the heft, notably throughout marathon gaming periods.
The G8 Galileo is accessible in a gray colour scheme, and it seems to be respectable sufficient in its personal proper. The faceplate is connected magnetically to the controller, and is definitely removable. However seeing as how the model would not promote faceplate designs (but), you do not get a lot in the best way of customization. What you do get is a alternative of three thumbsticks — brief, tall, and dome — and you’ll simply swap these out as wanted.
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Slotting in a telephone is fairly simple; the G8 Galileo has an extensible design with the left aspect stretching outward, and whereas GameSir says the controller can accommodate telephones with giant digital camera modules, that is not the case. Most 2024 telephones had a difficulty with the match; the Discover X7 Extremely, Xiaomi 14 Extremely, Magic 6 Professional, Vivo X100 Professional, and even the OnePlus 12 jutted out as there simply wasn’t sufficient clearance for his or her digital camera housings.
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Fortunately, the iPhone 15 Professional Max, Pixel 8 Professional, and the common Xiaomi 14 slotted into the G8 Galileo with none points, so I used the controller with these telephones. The Zenfone 11 Extremely would have been an excellent alternative, however as its USB-C port is not centered, it simply seemed awkward when connected to the controller.
Instances aren’t an issue, so long as they are not rugged; I take advantage of a case with my Pixel 8 Professional and iPhone 15 Professional Max, and there was sufficient clearance to suit each telephones comfortably. My favourite characteristic is the pivoting USB-C port; it simply means that you can slot in a telephone with a minimal of problem, and there is not any fear of the port snagging on a telephone once you take it out.
Whereas there’s clearly quite a bit to love on the design aspect of issues, the G8 Galileo is not geared for portability. The cell controller is simply too huge, and in contrast to different GameSir controllers, you do not get a tough shell carrying case — that clearly hinders its usability exterior the home.
GameSir G8 Galileo: Efficiency
One of the best factor in regards to the G8 Galileo is that it is rather like an Xbox controller in every day use, and that provides it a definite edge. Most cell controllers I used up to now had smaller buttons and triggers, and that will get annoying actually quick. Fortunately, that simply is not a difficulty with the G8 Galileo, and it’s simply as comfy as a daily controller.
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The buttons have nice tactility and suggestions, and the triggers have vary of movement. The textured again design makes holding and utilizing the controller simpler, and despite the fact that it will get heavy when you add a telephone, it is not too uncomfortable even with prolonged gaming periods.
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What I additionally like is that it has paddles on the again, and so they’re simply configurable; you needn’t do fiddle with the software program. There is no drift points with the corridor impact thumbsticks, and even with prolonged use, they held up simply tremendous — there are not any issues on this space. If the bundled thumbsticks aren’t to your liking, you get different-sized choices within the package deal, and it is easy to change them out.
There is a 3.5mm jack on the controller as nicely, and it means that you can simply plug in IEMs. One other helpful addition is pass-through charging; you possibly can cost your telephone by plugging within the charger to the USB-C port positioned on the aspect of the G8 Galileo.
The G8 Galileo is terrific in every day use; it routinely works in titles that may be performed with a controller, and there is not any latency in any respect — as you’d think about. The largest differentiator is the bigger dimension, and it permits the controller to be comfy even after prolonged gaming periods. The truth is, it is because of this that I ended up enjoying much more than I believed I’d by way of my telephone.
In the event you favor cloud gaming, the G8 Galileo integrates with GeForce Now and Amazon Luna. I examined it with Steam Hyperlink, and there have been no issues.
GameSir G8 Galileo: The competitors
The Spine One continues to be one of many greatest cell controllers round. It’s on the smaller aspect and is simpler to tackle the street, however you miss out on full-size buttons, and there are not any paddles on the again. And at $99, it is not as reasonably priced because the G8 Galileo.
I take advantage of Scuf’s controllers extensively, and the model simply rolled out its first cell controller, dubbed Nomad. It connects over Bluetooth 5.0 and is designed for use with iPhones, and just like the G8 Galileo, it has full-size triggers and thumbsticks. Coming in at $99, it’s costlier, but when it is something just like the Reflex or Intuition controllers, it ought to be fabulous.
GameSir G8 Galileo: Do you have to purchase it?
You can purchase this if:
- You need a cell controller with nice construct high quality
- You want a controller that is extraordinarily comfy
- You want a plug-and-play machine that does not want any tinkering
- You want corridor impact thumbsticks
You should not purchase this if:
- You want a transportable cell controller
- You’ve got a telephone with an outsized digital camera island
As I stated at first, I have not paid a lot consideration to this class up to now, however GameSir’s G8 Galileo delivers all the things I want in a cell controller. The dimensions is excellent; it’s giant sufficient to get a cushty grip, and the buttons and thumbsticks are terrific.
Passthrough charging and the addition of a 3.5mm port make it simply that little extra versatile, and I just like the pivoting USB-C connector — I paired the controller with quite a lot of telephones, and I wasn’t apprehensive in regards to the port damaging any machine. The one quibble is that it would not work with telephones which have sizeable cameras, and that is most high-end telephones lately. That stated, it wasn’t a difficulty with the Pixel 8 Professional or the iPhone 15 Professional Max.
I did not see any points with the construct high quality both within the six months I used the G8 Galileo, and whereas it is not as simply moveable as GameSir’s different merchandise, it is among the greatest cell controllers round.
With a cushty design and high-quality buttons and triggers, the G8 Galileo is an excellent cell gaming controller.
