Most of my gaming is finished on my Home windows rig or the PlayStation 5, and whereas I are inclined to play just a few informal titles on my cellphone, 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 loads of superb video games, so I wanted to get my palms on a cell controller. I’ve a dozen PS5 and Xbox controllers, however I wished one thing designed for use with a cellphone, and my search led to GameSir, particularly the G8 Galileo.
The G8 Galileo is GameSir’s newest cell controller, and it has loads of distinctive options. It has full-size triggers and buttons, and it’s simply as snug to make use of because the Scuf Reflex Professional, my most well-liked PS5 controller. It has an extensible design that may simply slot in quite a lot of telephones, and the USB-C port pivots, making it extremely handy to connect a cellphone to the controller.
When you’ve tried out a cell controller however weren’t happy with the sizing or construct high quality, you must 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 too can purchase it for a similar $79 retail worth through GameSir’s web site, and whereas you do not get a carrying case with the package deal — in contrast to different GameSir merchandise — you should purchase a bundle by shelling out an extra $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 good distance whereas gaming.
The match and end is excellent; the G8 Galileo feels a lot better in-hand than the X3, and the contoured design on the again with the textured end makes it extremely snug to carry and use. That stated, it’s on the heavier aspect at 251g, and if you add the load of a cellphone, you are going to discover the heft, notably throughout marathon gaming periods.
The G8 Galileo is on the market in a gray colour scheme, and it appears to be like respectable sufficient in its personal proper. The faceplate is connected magnetically to the controller, and is well removable. However seeing as how the model does not promote faceplate designs (but), you do not get a lot in the best way of customization. What you do get is a selection of three thumbsticks — brief, tall, and dome — and you may simply change these out as wanted.
Slotting in a cellphone 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 massive digicam 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 digicam housings.
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 selection, however as its USB-C port is not centered, it simply seemed awkward when connected to the controller.
Circumstances 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 cellphone with a minimal of problem, and there is no fear of the port snagging on a cellphone if you take it out.
Whereas there’s clearly so much to love on the design aspect of issues, the G8 Galileo is not geared for portability. The cell controller is simply too massive, 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
The perfect factor in regards to the G8 Galileo is that it is rather like an Xbox controller in day by day use, and that offers 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 snug as a daily controller.
The buttons have nice tactility and suggestions, and the triggers have a superb vary of movement. The textured again design makes holding and utilizing the controller simpler, and regardless that it will get heavy when you add a cellphone, it is not too uncomfortable even with prolonged gaming periods.
What I additionally like is that it has paddles on the again, they usually’re simply configurable; you need not do fiddle with the software program. There isn’t any drift points with the corridor impact thumbsticks, and even with prolonged use, they held up simply positive — 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 simple 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 cellphone by plugging within the charger to the USB-C port positioned on the aspect of the G8 Galileo.
The G8 Galileo is terrific in day by day use; it mechanically works in titles that may be performed with a controller, and there is no latency by any means — as you’d think about. The most important differentiator is the bigger measurement, and it permits the controller to be snug even after prolonged gaming periods. In truth, it is because of this that I ended up enjoying much more than I believed I might through my cellphone.
When you want 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 remains to be among the best 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 inexpensive 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 must be fabulous.
GameSir G8 Galileo: Do you have to purchase it?
You can purchase this if:
You need a cell controller with nice construct qualityYou want a controller that is extraordinarily comfortableYou want a plug-and-play gadget that does not want any tinkeringYou want corridor impact thumbsticks
You should not purchase this if:
You want a transportable cell controllerYou have a cellphone with an outsized digicam island
As I stated at the start, I have never paid a lot consideration to this class up to now, however GameSir’s G8 Galileo delivers the whole lot I want in a cell controller. The scale is excellent; it’s massive sufficient to get a snug 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 loads of telephones, and I wasn’t fearful in regards to the port damaging any gadget. The one quibble is that it does not work with telephones which have sizeable cameras, and that is most high-end telephones today. 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 without doubt one of the greatest cell controllers round.
With a snug design and high-quality buttons and triggers, the G8 Galileo is an impressive cell gaming controller.Â