These parts even have a comparatively sharp edge that cuts via the center of the curve. I discovered this as snug to grip as most of the best Xbox controllers , and the angle these edges create allowed me to safe my fingers higher, which in flip made the again buttons simpler to make use of.
Connecting the X4 Aileron to my smartphone was fast and easy, though having to disconnect and reconnect by unclamping and re-clamping is a considerably clunky course of. The clamping mechanism of the X4 Aileron is safe, though it’s not probably the most elegant. It’s understandably tight, however this makes it arduous to maneuver it up and down when attaching and detaching a telephone. I typically discovered it finest to slip my telephone out and in relatively than transfer the clamp by hand. It nearly match my telephone in its case, though the lips of the clamp didn’t fairly overhang the perimeters of my machine, as they had been presupposed to.
Nonetheless, my telephone stayed in place, though it was noticeably looser when connected with out my case. Optionally available pads are included to treatment this, though these require sticking to the X4 Aileron, so it is a everlasting answer relatively than a detachable one, which is a disgrace.
Customizations and tweaks could be made utilizing the GameSir cell app, nevertheless it’s disappointingly restricted in scope. There’s no choice to remap inputs, and when you can alter the deadzone for each the sticks and triggers, you may’t regulate their curve profile. There’s a Hair Set off mode, although, which is beneficial when speedy faucets are known as for.
The general efficiency of the X4 Aileron is fairly good. The buttons are very snappy, particularly the D-pad, which could be very quick and straightforward to make use of, whereas the Corridor impact joysticks and triggers are clean and exact.
Nevertheless, my main competition issues the fitting stick, which I discovered arduous to achieve with out sacrificing my grip. That is notably problematic when utilizing the fitting set off on the similar time, as you’ll be doing when enjoying shooters.
Battery life doesn’t appear notably spectacular both. After a few hours, every pad misplaced about 15% cost. Nevertheless, the battery readouts within the GameSir app had been a bit of erratic, flitting up and down right away, and altering fairly drastically occasionally when reconnecting to my telephone. Hopefully, that is one thing a firmware replace can repair.
By way of value, the X4 Aileron sits in direction of the upper finish of the cell controller sector, with many cheaper alternate options obtainable. The Spine One, which nominally is priced the identical because the X4 Aileron, can typically be discovered for much less, and has the benefit of being suitable with iOS in addition to Android techniques. Nevertheless, it’s cheaper than the Razer Kishi Ultra , however we do suppose that’s among the many best mobile controllers proper now, so is deserving of its price ticket.
Regardless, when you had been to go for the X4 Aileron, you gained’t be disillusioned, as long as you don’t want iOS assist and may reside with the position of that proper joystick.
GameSir X4 Aileron evaluate: Worth and availability
$99.99 / £99.99 / AU$169 Out there in black solely Costly in comparison with rivals
The GameSir X4 Aileron prices $99.99 / £99.99 / AU$169 and is obtainable now in a single colorway (black). It comes with a carrying case, two additional units of joystick caps (considered one of which is smaller), an additional D-pad hat, and non-obligatory rubber cushions that may be caught onto every pad to suit thinner telephones.
The X4 Aileron is priced in direction of the highest finish of the cell controller market. Nevertheless, it’s nonetheless cheaper than the Razer Kishi Extremely, which is without doubt one of the most costly fashions round. That controller excels in nearly each side, although, and in contrast to the X4 Aileron, it’s suitable with iOS in addition to Android gadgets, and may even deal with tablets as much as eight inches. It doesn’t have Corridor impact sticks, although – solely its triggers use this know-how.
With the identical checklist value because the X4 Aileron, the Spine One is one other shut competitor. Nevertheless, you may typically discover it for lots lower than this. We predict that is one other very succesful cell controller and is once more suitable with each Android and iOS telephones and tablets. Nevertheless, it doesn’t use Corridor impact know-how.
GameSir X4 Aileron evaluate: specs
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Worth
$99.99 / £99.99 / AU$169
Dimensions
3.85 x 3.05 x 1.77in / 97.8 x 77.5 x 45mm (w/out telephone), 3.85 x 9.3 x 1.77in / 97.8 x 235 x 45mm (w/ telephone)
Weight
6.5oz / 186g
Connection kind
Wi-fi (Bluetooth), wired (USB-C)
Compatibility
Android (telephones)
Software program
GameSir App (Android)
(Picture credit score: Future)
GameSir X4 Aileron evaluate: design and options
Premium and intelligent design Clamping mechanism could be awkward Restricted cell app
The X4 Aileron adopts a reasonably typical cell controller design, though it protrudes lower than some others, each lengthways and outwardly. There’s some delicate however vibrant RGB lighting round each analog sticks, which helps to enliven the entire black end.
The grips felt very snug in my palms, providing loads of safety due to the rubberized end. One quirk of their design, although, is the sharp line operating via their heart.
This was initially jarring, however I rapidly discovered this created an angle that allowed my fingers to get extra buy, which helps an ideal deal when utilizing the 2 again buttons, as these are fairly small; I might’ve struggled to make use of them comfortably in any other case. Total, the X4 Aileron makes gaming in your telephone really feel much like the best handheld games consoles .
It’s additionally constructed to a excessive normal, with premium supplies used for the buttons and sticks. The latter of those feels particularly clean to the contact, whereas on the similar time providing loads of grip due to the feel of their outer edges.
The magnetic attachment for storing the X4 Aileron is well-engineered too, with either side slotting along with a robust maintain that’s additionally simple to take away when wanted. This additionally helps to save lots of house when touring, as they match snugly within the included hard-shell carrying case, which is equally well-made.
(Picture credit score: Future)
The X4 Aileron simply managed to suit over my telephone with a case connected, though the ledges of the clamps didn’t fairly cling over the edges as they’re seemingly designed to do. Regardless, the attachment was sufficiently safe to forestall any undue motion.
Nevertheless, the identical can’t be mentioned when clamped to my telephone immediately, because the X4 Aileron is vulnerable to sliding and tilting forwards and backwards. In regular use, this wasn’t a lot of a difficulty, and rubber pads could be put in to forestall this state of affairs. It’s a disgrace, although, that these pads aren’t detachable as soon as caught in place; a detachable or adjustable methodology would’ve been welcome, particularly at this value.
The clamp system normally isn’t probably the most elegant answer, and whereas its tightness is reassuring, lifting it by hand is a bit of awkward, as there’s no actual place to grip it along with your fingers. Consequently, I typically discovered myself mispressing my telephone’s display screen when attaching and detaching the X4 Aileron.
It is a small usability challenge within the grand scheme of issues, however price mentioning. I discovered one of the simplest ways to connect and launch the X4 Aileron was to slip my telephone out and in of each parts – though I can’t say it is a methodology GameSir condones.
What’s extra, the truth that turning on and off the X4 Aileron includes lifting the clamps is considerably inconvenient if you must reconnect for no matter motive.
Varied customization choices can be found for the X4 Aileron by way of the GameSir app, together with deadzone alterations for the triggers and sticks, in addition to a fast set off mode for binary relatively than analog inputs. There’s no button remapping, although, which looks as if a reasonably large oversight, and no curve profiles for the sticks to extra finely tune their responsiveness and sensitivity.
The one different changes are a number of different minor features and tweaks to the RGB, so it falls behind changes different peripherals permit for. In comparison with many different controllers, together with these made by GameSir, that is fairly the paucity of choices.
Not less than the app is secure sufficient, though oddly there have been sure menus and sections that couldn’t be navigated with the X4 Aileron, and different areas the place it may. Sure sections had no English textual content both, though fortunately this was a rarity and didn’t have an effect on usability. A firmware replace additionally failed to put in regardless of a number of makes an attempt, solely succeeding after I re-paired the X4 Aileron to my telephone.
(Picture credit score: Future)
GameSir X4 Aileron evaluate: efficiency
Clicky buttons Poor stick placement Battery life not nice
Regardless of its seems, the X4 Aileron doesn’t precisely really feel like a standard console controller. The buttons aren’t damped: as an alternative, they actuate with an emphatic click on, which offers loads of suggestions, however when you’re somebody who prefers the silent, softer really feel of normal gamepads, then these won’t be to your liking.
The D-pad is very clicky however very satisfying to make use of. Presses are simple in all instructions and the rebound could be very fast. The inventory hat design could be very amenable to rolling in a number of adjoining instructions, which I appreciated when enjoying Mortal Kombat 11 .
Each the triggers and the sticks use Corridor impact know-how, which affords better precision than their normal potentiometer counterparts. When enjoying Forza Horizon 5
The triggers don’t have as a lot journey as these on the most effective Xbox controllers or best PC controllers , so I didn’t fairly get the identical degree of granular management over inputs, however I used to be nonetheless impressed. Nevertheless, they do curve round to comply with the contours of the X4 Aileron itself, which will increase their floor space and makes for a extra pure and cozy finger placement.
One main gripe I’ve with the X4 Aileron, although, issues the fitting joystick. Owing to the asymmetrical design, it’s positioned low down, which isn’t an issue on normal gamepads. However since there’s no center portion to the X4 Aileron, it’s additionally a lot nearer to the sting of every pad, relatively than additional inward.
This mix makes for awkward thumb placement, forcing me to both bend it uncomfortably to achieve it, or grip the complete proper pad a lot decrease down than normal and due to this fact sacrifice a safe maintain.
I discovered this particularly problematic when enjoying Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 best PS5 controllers , then the problem could also be much more egregious.
Connecting the X4 Aileron was easy sufficient, though waking it from sleep wasn’t all the time that seamless, as I needed to re-clamp it to reconnect occasionally.
Battery life isn’t notably spectacular, as, after just a few hours of testing, every pad appeared to drop by about 15%. Nevertheless, the readout offered within the GameSir app was inconsistent, typically oscillating right away and altering extra drastically when reconnecting.
There have been additionally events the place solely one of many pad’s battery readouts was displayed, requiring the opposite to be reattached for it to point out. Maybe these points could be mounted in a firmware replace.
(Picture credit score: Future)
Ought to I purchase the GameSir X4 Aileron? Purchase it if…
Do not buy it if…
Additionally think about…
Swipe to scroll horizontally
Row 0 – Cell 0
GameSir X4 Aileron
Razer Kishi Extremely
Spine One
Worth
$99.99 / £99.99 / AU$169
$149.99 / £149.99 / AU$269.95
$99.99 / £99.99 / AU$179
Dimensions
3.85 x 3.05 x 1.77in / 97.8 x 77.5 x 45mm (w/out telephone), 3.85 x 9.3 x 1.77in / 97.8 x 235 x 45mm (w/ telephone)
9.63 x 4.36 x 2.53in / 244.6 x 110.7 x 64.3mm
10.14 x 6.94 x 3.7in / 257.6 x 176.3 x 94mm
Weight
6.5oz / 186g
9.4oz / 266 g
4.7oz / 138g
Connection kind
Wi-fi (Bluetooth), wired (USB-C)
Wired (USB-C)
Wired (USB-C)
Compatibility
Android (telephones)
iOS, Android (telephones, tablets)
iOS, Android (telephones, tablets)
Software program
GameSir App (Android)
Razer Nexus App (iOS / Android)
Spine App (iOS / Android)
How I examined the GameSir X4 Aileron
Examined on Google Pixel 7a Performed varied video games on Xbox Cloud Gaming Plentiful gaming expertise
I examined the X4 Aileron for a number of days, throughout which era I used it on my Google Pixel 7a, each with and with out a case. I additionally used the GameSir cell app for customizing and tweaking the controller.
I performed a wide range of video games by way of the Xbox Cloud Gaming app, which GameSir claims the X4 Aileron is designed for. I performed Forza Horizon 5 and Call of Duty : Fashionable Warfare 3 Mortal Kombat 11 to check button response.
I’ve been gaming on a number of platforms for many years, together with cell and handheld techniques. I’ve additionally reviewed quite a few controllers suitable with cell gadgets.
Read more about how we test
First reviewed March 2025
