GameSir’s X2 Type-C Mobile Gaming Controller provided an interesting contrast to the Razer Kishi. Both controllers connect physically to your USB-C ready mobile device, giving you an Android and Xcloud gaming peripheral that did not use Bluetooth. Now, GameSir took their X2 controller and made a Bluetooth version to cover gaming on a wider variety of devices, for both Android and iOS. Interestingly enough, Bluetooth connectivity is not the only thing that is different with this new X2 model. This time around, the GameSir X2 Bluetooth controller comes with a new button layout and a couple of add on accessories.
Let’s dive right into the new GameSir X2 Bluetooth mobile controller for $59.99 and go over the changes.
Build, Features and Comfort
The GameSir X2 Bluetooth controller comes complete with a carrying case, a USB-C charging cable, a set of concave thumb caps and a set of domed thumb caps.
Like its USB-C predecessor, the GameSir X2 Bluetooth’s button layout resembles that of a Nintendo Switch. You have a D-pad, four front action buttons, dual analog sticks, two bumpers, two triggers, and G and S buttons that act as “Select” and “Start” buttons respectively. The big difference now is that this X2 now utilizes an Xbox controller’s XYAB layout as well as a “plus sign” (“+”) d-pad. You also have additional function buttons, such as a turbo button and a dedicated screenshot button. Along the bottom, you have the main power button and the USB-C charging port.
The GameSir X2 Bluetooth mobile controller houses a 500mAh battery and features micro mechanical buttons with an estimated lifespan of 3 million presses. You also have rubber palm grips around the back that help make the X2 easy to hold during gameplay. Last but not least, the X2 controller can expand and grasp mobile devices of up to 173mm (roughly 6.8 inches) in length. Just see here how easily the controller grasps the very large Samsung Galaxy Note20 Ultra 5G. This means, depending on the thickness of your phone case, the GameSir X2 Bluetooth mobile controller can even possibly hold smaller devices while still in their protective casing. Impressively, the X2 was even able to hold the Samsung Galaxy Note20 Ultra 5G while it is still in its case.
From the moment I opened the box of the GameSir X2 Bluetooth mobile controller, I just knew improvements were made. It looks liek GameSir took the feedback from the X2 Type-C mobile controller and applied it in this new iteration. For a controller to tout its compatibility with Xcloud gaming, the controller should at least match the button layout of the console experience that it is trying to emulate. Right off the bat, the GameSir X2 Bluetooth mobile controller sports the traditional Xbox controller layout, allowing for a more seamless Xbox Game Pass experience.
GameSir X2 Bluetooth 
GameSir X2 USB-C
Immediately, the controller feels more comfortable than its predecessor. This plus sign d-pad is quite easy and comfortable to handle. This a sharp contrast to the previous segmented d-pad approach, which did not cater to diagonal inputs as easily. This opened the door to better handling in 2D scrollers and fighting games, which I will get into later.
While the analog thumb sticks are the same ones used in the preceding X2 controller, the additional thumb stick caps come through in a big way here. The GameSir X2 Bluetooth mobile controller comes with two pairs of optional thumb stick caps: a concave pair and a somewhat domed pair. Applying either option immediately increases the surface area of the X2’s thumb sticks, making them simply easier to handle. I personally like that GameSir gives you both options with the Bluetooth X2 as it allowed me to employ my preferred thumb stick lay out, domed on the left and concaved on the right.
Performance
As I connected my Samsung Galaxy S20 with the GameSir X2 Bluetooth mobile controller, I immediately felt the improvements from the previous X2. Starting with side scroller beat-em-ups and fighters, that plus sign D-pad came through in a big way. I had no issue whatsoever performing special move inputs with this traditional d-pad. Quarter circle, half circle, dragon punch and other motions simply felt natural to execute. Input delay was negligible at best. All of this made Android titles like Street Fighter IV Champion Edition and King of Fighters ’98 an utter joy to play.
Thanks to the optional thumb stick caps, first person shooters were also a bit more comfortable to handle with the new Bluetooth X2. Modern Combat 5 handled well with the now more ergonomic thumb sticks. They were easier to reach for and maintain control of thanks to the extra surface area that you can rest your thumbs against.
Now with the Xbox-oriented button layout, I was especially eager to take the new Bluetooth X2 into some cloud gaming via the Xbox Game Pass app. Side scrollers and fighters were quite manageable with this controller throughout the streaming experience. Any delay I felt was both negligible and tolerable, with me getting the input timing down in no time at all. The Bluetooth X2 allowed for a very solid gaming experience in both Streets of Rage 4 and Marvel vs Capcom Infinite.
The streaming input delay felt slightly more pronounced when I tried streaming a first-person shooter like Destiny 2. To be fair, this was the case with many other Bluetooth controllers I have tried. However, if you were looking to just do your daily and weekly PVE tasks on the go, the GameSir X2 Bluetooth mobile controller is still a solid mobile option here. The traditional Xbox button layout allowed muscle memory to flourish, where I was able to jump right into the game without delay or setup.
Final Thoughts
All in all, the GameSir X2 Bluetooth mobile controller is a very solid mobile gaming companion. Coming in at $59.99, the Bluetooth X2 shows you how close the USB-C version was to being a perfect product for GameSir. Although, it is great to see that GameSir cared so much about the X2 that they made welcomed improvements on the model. In all gaming scenarios, the new D-pad approach and added thumb stick options allowed for long-term gaming with minimal to no playing fatigue. This counters how I felt about the previous version, whose small thumb sticks and D-pad became a little cumbersome to handle over longer gaming sessions.
The GameSir X2 Bluetooth mobile controller is an impressive competitor in the saturated market of Bluetooth controllers. The only thing I would personally ask for is for GameSir to make another USB-C X2 controller, but with the button layout, D-pad and accessories of this Bluetooth version. However, Bluetooth clearly has its advantages. This controller can be used as is with tablets, giving it more use cases than a strickly USB-C controller would. Either way, GameSir did a great job here.
If you are looking for a Bluetooth controller for your Android or iOS device, or if you want another controller option for Xbox Game Pass ready option, you should check out the GameSir X2 Bluetooth mobile controller for yourself by clicking here.
† As usual, there are no affiliate links contained within this post. We were provided a GameSir X2 Bluetooth Mobile Gaming Controller for review purposes and were not compensated for this review.
