Gamesir X3 Pro review – niche within a niche

Mobile controllers, especially ones made for Android, can run into a number of issues when it comes to compatibility. All of the different sizes and quirks for each phone means that a controller that works for one might not for another.

Case in point — I reviewed the GameSir G8 Plus in 2024, and while I mostly loved it, the design wasn’t quite made with my phone’s camera bump in mind.

This is why I was interested to try GameSir’s X3 Pro, which features a design that fits phones with larger camera bumps alongside a few other differences. It’s a competent controller, and one that might be useful for more hardcore mobile gamers. I also think that for many it’s likely overkill, with the design causing some issues if you want a pickup and play experience.

Specs

Compatibility: Android, iPhone 15/16
Connectivity: Wired, built in USB Type-C connector
Sticks: Hall Effect
Triggers: Microswitch
Face Buttons: Microswitch
D-pad: Microswitch
Gyro: Yes
Rumble: Yes
Battery: None (fan requires external power)
RGB: No
Extras: Detachable grips, replaceable sticks and d-pad. Comes with a storage case.

Design and Usability

The GameSir X3 Pro features a pleasing icy blue main body with frosted white buttons, d-pad, and hand grips. It’s almost a shame that the sticks are a plain gray, as they clash with the more unique theming.

I really like this colour scheme, which stands out from other controllers (even GameSir’s own lineup.) I wouldn’t complain if it was brought back for a later controller, mobile or otherwise.

As for the overall shape, it’s fairly similar to the X2 line from GameSir. Without the hand grips, it’s a fairly rectangular design. The curved edges still make it relatively comfy, with the back having a slight grippy texture to it.

However, the X3 Pro is definitely a better experience with the hand grips attached. While you lose some portability (and it looks a little cheap versus a controller with grips built in), it feels far more comfortable to hold. The only issue is that the plastic used is smooth rather than textured, which can cause issues during longer play sessions.

Unlike the G8 line of controllers, the X3 Pro makes use of microswitches for all of its buttons. They’re nice and responsive, offering a distinct click without requiring a lot of force. You can even switch the buttons for a Nintendo-style layout, though this would likely only be relevant for emulation.

By all buttons being microswitches, this even includes the “triggers” which are now buttons as well. This is a great thing for most games, since you generally don’t need analog triggers at all. However, it does make the X3 Pro basically unusable for racing games.

The main difference with the X3 Pro over something like the G8 is the built in fan, which causes a few changes even if you don’t use it.

For starters, the controller extends outwards from each side of the fan. This is different from most GameSir telescopic controllers, which extend out from one side to the other.

It does mean that some phones will have an easier time fitting. My OnePlus 10T has a square camera bump which does not properly fit the G8 Plus, but does fit fine in the X3 Pro.

The fan is fine, if noisy

Being a main selling point of the controller, the X3 Pro’s fan is generally just an okay addition. It requires external power (the USB C port provides passthrough charging for your phone too), and can often be finicky depending on your charger’s output.

The fan itself is also quite noisy, even on its lower setting. Not a problem if you’re using headphones — you even get a headphone jack, useful for modern phones that never have them — and I’d imagine that it would be hard to have a small fan that’s also quiet.

When it comes to cooling, the results are fine if not spectacular. While playing through some Honkai: Star Rail dailies, it did drop my phone’s temperature a few degrees. The controller itself stays cool too as you’d expect.

What works for one phone might not for another

While it’s not something that caused me issues, I can’t start to wrap up my review on the X3 Pro without taking about the overall design and fan placement. I mentioned that the controller fits fine on my phone, thanks to the different design over the G8 Plus.

This change naturally also means that the reverse can also be true. Phones with different camera bump placements could potentially have trouble fitting. I do think compatibility in this regard should be better than the G8 line at least.

Another, perhaps more pressing issue is the fan itself. Most modern phones have the CPU placed near the top. This means that the hottest point during gaming will also be near the top. It’s likely some of the reason why I only saw a few degrees of cooling, and for some phones it would likely be even less.

It’s a problem that would be hard to solve. With most of the heat being near the camera, there’s no real way to design a fan that universally works with all phones.

Gamesir X3 Pro Review – Final Thoughts

The Gamesir X3 Pro is a pretty good controller that I also wouldn’t recommend to most mobile players. It’s a niche product that might be worth it for some, but only under specific conditions. The G8 features a better form factor (and also works on Switch), while the X2 and X2S do most of what the X3 Pro does at a lower price.

I’d say the main use case for the X3 Pro is if you plan on playing intensive FPS games or high end emulation. However, there’s also the second caveat of the cooling being in the center, with some phones not even benefitting from the built in fan.

---

Our review of the GameSir X3 Pro was done using a sample provided by the manufacturer. It can be bought directly via GameSir, or Amazon UK.

^{Disclosure: Some links in this article may be affiliate links, which means we may earn a small commission if you make a purchase after clicking on them. This is at no additional cost to you and helps support Rice Digital!}