Accessories

GameSir X5 Lite review: Next evolution of the X-series

Also introducing the GameHub

Published

April 30, 2025

We’ve made the case for GameSir being one of the better controller makers in recent years. Somehow, they’re still underrated. When you mention mobile controllers, the mainstream top-of-mind are Backbone and Razer Kishi. GameSir aims to shake things up even further with the GameSir X5 Lite.

Launching alongside the GameSir X5 Lite is the company’s brand new app – GameHub. Asked what the idea behind the GameHub is, this was their response to us: “We aim to defeat Backbone.”

Bold statement. And one we think they can back up down the line.

GameHub

Let’s keep the energy going with GameHub. During the review period, GameHub hasn’t officially launched and only the Android version was available.

What it looks like is a one-stop-shop for many of your mobile gaming needs. There are sections for PC streaming whether that’s Steam or Xbox. You also get PS Remote Play and what not.

As primarily a PlayStation gamer, I immediately tried PS Remote Play first. There’s a key step-by-step process here for the GameSir X5 Lite to work on Remote Play.

Instead of launching the native PS Remote Play app, connect it via the PS Link directly from the GameHub app. That’s the only way for Remote Play to work properly. I suspect the same is mostly true for PC streaming. I didn’t have the opportunity to try it during my review period.

All things considered, this looks like a good first step in the right direction and something we’ll try to come back to as more features get added to it.

GameSir X5 Lite

Jumping straight onto the GameSir X5 Lite, it is indeed truly light. One of the best things it has going for it outside of its weight is that despite its relatively slim profile, GameSir managed to add ergonomic grips.

Good grips

The grips have a groove that feels great on-hand. The laser engraved textured grips also go a long way in making it feel great to touch and hold. This is a distinct advantage over the mostly flat grips of the Backbone One and Razer Kishi.

Movable Type-C

One curious difference though, not only versus competing products but also in their previous ones is the decision to shift the movable Type-C port from the right over to the left.

This meant that most Android phones whose power and volume buttons are usually flushed all on the right hand side will be situated on the lower right area when you have it mounted on the GameSir X5 Light.

That makes for an awkward way to adjust the volume on most Android phones.

However, if you’re using an iPhone 15 and up, the volume controls will now be on the upper-right side which seems more optimal. I’m just not sure if iPhone users are the ones who will actually want to consider this controller – but they probably should.

We also tried connecting this on the iPad Mini 7 and while it isn’t ideal because of the iPad’s button placements, it still works fine overall.

We asked GameSir what the reasoning behind this and they was said it is so that “It would be easier to attach (a) cooler to the phone while using X5 Lite.”

The GameSir X5 Lite package we received didn’t come with a cooler and personally, I don’t imagine it being a big hurdle had it been on the right side.

But the move also meant passthrough charging on the left-hand side.

Wider stretch, enough backspace, bumpers

Official information notes that the space where you put your device is now longer–213mm to be exact. It fits up to about the iPad Mini 7 which measures at around 8.3 inches.

Other than the realme 14 5G which is the smartphone visible in our photos, we also tried this with foldables like the OPPO Find N5 and HONOR Magic V3– smaller but taller devices than the iPad Mini 7 but still fit perfectly fine on the X5 Lite.

The design also left ample space for camera bumps. This means the device will lay mostly flat instead of sticking out. To protect the phone further, each inner part where you would put your device has removable silicone pads. It keeps your device sitting tight and securely.

GameSir made minute but mindful adjustments here which all made sense.

Hall Effect sticks, Membrane hair triggers, face buttons

As expected from all their recent products, the primary controls you’ll interact with are all made with great quality.

GameSir’s own Hall Effect Sticks are easily one of the best on any controller. They are firmly one of the leaders in using Hall Effect sticks and all manufacturers should follow suit

The triggers and face buttons all have a satisfactory click and press feel to them. Zenless Zone Zero, which is best played with a controller, felt really good to play. I did not experience any noticeable input delay which is key in such a fast-paced, action-packed game.

One issue I did have is while playing Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown. To do a high jump in the game, you needed to long press the jump button. This was not at all possible on the X5 Lite. The long press was just not registering at all and I had to resort to holding the jump button on screen to execute the action.

This turned me off from playing the game using the X5 Lite. Depending on the game you’re playing, you might encounter similar issues.

You likely can address this by mapping the action to a different button or button press action using the GameSir app.

Personally, this is not something I was inclined on doing. Even in other reviews, I mostly preferred playing games that already have built-in controller support. But it’s good to know that there’s an option to tweak things for those who have the bandwidth for it.

Is the GameSir X5 Lite your GadgetMatch?

The GameSir X5 Lite retails for only PhP 2,100 or $34.99 USD. That’s a fantastic price point for the overall build quality and functionality it offers. It also undercuts its competition by quite a bit.

Moreover, GameSir is directly challenging Backbone with the introduction of GameHub. This will be compatible not only with the GameSir X5 Lite but many of their other controllers as well and it’ll be interesting to see how that app evolves.

All things considered, we’ll give the GameSir X5 Lite a Swipe Right. It’s a relatively easy recommendation for anyone looking to add physical controls to their mobile gaming life.

You can purchase the GameSir X5 Life on the official website. Add the GGMX5L10 coupon upon checkout for 10% OFF.

Related Topics:GameHub GameSir GameSir X5 Lite X5 Lite

Accessories

UGREEN Nexode Pro 160W review: One mighty brick with a powerful trick

All the speed you need in one charging brick

Published

September 30, 2026

Vincenz

Chargers aren’t just tiny bricks we plug into the wall anymore.

As our everyday gadgets become hungrier in power, chargers have gotten mightier, too.

More wattage, more ports, and apparently, more brains. The UGREEN Nexode Pro 160W takes all of those in one thicc body.

A heavy charger with plenty of power

Let’s address the elephant in the room — literally and figuratively. The UGREEN Nexode Pro 160W is one CHONKY charger.

The US version weighs 310 grams, which is heavier than usual charging bricks you’d bring with you.

Visual comparison alone, this is how it tries to dwarf its 100W Uno cousin.

Then again, UGREEN’s Nexode Pro isn’t your conventional charger. And by that, it boasts a total output of 160W — though not saying every port gives a 160W output.

The first USB-C port (C1) is capable of delivering up to 140W. Meanwhile, USB-C2 supports up to 100W, while the lonesome USB-A port can supply up to 22.5W.

To make it even crazier, it also has a retractable USB-C cable — more on that later.

These all mean I can plug in my MacBook Pro, high-end Android flagship, iPhone, and other accessories without ever bringing separate charging bricks for each one.

And honestly, when there’s so much power inside one brick, I’ll generously accept that added heft.

Watt you see is watt you get

One trick up in Nexode Pro 160W’s sleeves is that, it has a front display.

With a touch capacitive button above the USB-C1 port, the display can show not just the general (or combined) charging wattage. It can also show real-time speeds in watts (W), voltage (V), and even ampere (A).

For regular users, it’s probably something you’ll glance at occasionally. For stats nerds? It’s eye candy. For a gadget reviewer like me? A charge test companion.

Seeing real-time charging data gives me a better idea if I have the best charging cable possible for each device. More so, if those devices actually get the charging speeds they require.

And, if something suddenly starts charging slower than usual, those numbers can help me determine whether the device, charger, or cable might be the culprit.

I can only have my sigh of relief when I see it’s pulling the amount of power I expect.

Even if I always say numbers aren’t everything, the real-time charging data I see with my two eyes is more believable than just relying on that “Fast Charging” indicator.

So, watt did I even get?

Of course, I couldn’t just take that 160W figure just at its face value.

In a not-so-typical GadgetMatch Charge Test, I tried and tested the charger by occupying all ports with the devices I regularly use and watched the numbers fly.

Mind you, I tried my best to make them as equal as possible by draining every device down to 0%. Just so the actual charge test starts at the very base.

From a lengthy documentations in my Notes app, I tried simplifying the results into these table instead:

*Port*	*Device*	*Cable Type*	*10-minute charge*	*30-minute charge*	*1-hour charge*
*USB-C1*	14” M2 Max MacBook Pro	Apple MagSafe 3 to USB-C	15%	45%	84%
*USB-C2*	Apple iPhone 13 Pro Max	USB-C to Lightning	7%	21%	42%
*Retractable USB-*C	vivo X300 Ultra* *wireless charging	USB-C to UGREEN MagFlow 2-in-1 Foldable Magnetic Wireless Charger	2%	3%	7%
*USB-A*	HONOR Watch 5 Ultra	USB-A to wireless charging base	18%	58%	76%

Aside from the charger itself, there are more factors that contribute to a device’s charging output.

One is basically how many devices are connected. Another would be the type of cable used (standard 3A cable or faster yet thicker 5A or 6A cord).

More so, if the best charging mode is used. Even actual room and device temperatures matter, too.

In easier words, a charger boasting 160W power doesn’t mean every device gets its maximum charging speeds simultaneously.

The charger still has to distribute its available power between everything connected.

Pull it, use it, and never lose it

Perhaps its most “secretive” trick is hidden within.

UGREEN has managed to fit a 70cm retractable USB-C cable in its squarish body. Pull it whenever you need it and retract it back inside once you’re done.

It’s incredibly handy when I don’t want to dig through my big and messy backpack.

Worst case scenario? Whenever I forget to bring a cable — which already happened numerous times as an aging young adult who keeps being unnecessarily forgetful.

Vincenz’s two cents? He would NOT always rely on using it.

For one, there’s the matter of longevity.

A regular USB-C cable eventually breaks? Replace it. A retractable cable permanently attached to your charger? That’s a different story.

Another would be all about its actual charging speed output. Not every device behaves the same way with that built-in cable.

*Device*	*Max Charging*	*Observed Power*	*30-minute charge*	*1-hour charge*
*14” M2 Max MacBook Pro*	96W	68.6W	53%	87%
*vivo X500 Pro Max*	90W	20.2W~23.6W	34%	62%
*vivo X300 Ultra*	100W	9.6W~12.9W	26%	52%
*HONOR 600 Pro*	80W	16.5W	35%	64%
*Samsung Galaxy Z Fold8*	45W	17.8W	41%	74%

For instance, my vivo X300 Ultra supports 90W FlashCharge speeds. Yet, I observed only around below a 13W output during one test. Thus, only achieving 26% in thirty minutes.

Even the shiny new vivo X500 Pro Max wasn’t exempted in the list with only being able to achieve 34% in the same time frame.

For added context, using their bundled FlashCharge adapters would have already filled the phones way past the 60% mark.

This doesn’t necessarily mean the built-in cable is bad. It just means you shouldn’t expect every proprietary charging standard to hit its advertised maximum just with the cable alone.

So while it’s one of my favorite conveniences here, I still see it as a handy backup rather than the only cable one would ever need.

Connect to inspect

I can’t believe I’m saying this. A charger can now be connected via an app.

Just like me, you’re probably scratching your head the moment you are reading this. Well, after much use, it actually made sense to me.

With their new and very own UgreenConnect app, not only you can see and capture charging stats, UGREEN lets you switch between charging modes as well depending on your charging needs.

Heck! You can even turn off ports individually without affecting other devices being charged.

Furthermore, you can also change the display’s brightness and sleep time, customize wallpapers. The Nexode Pro 160W also supports OTA updates.

Again, it’s mostly nerdy. But that’s precisely why I like this charger more than what I already have and use.

Feel the heat, keep it neat

The Nexode Pro gets warm. Quite warm, actually.

But, with a charger this large and powerful, that’s hardly surprising given all the charging components packed inside.

Thankfully, the temperature remained manageable throughout my use. UGREEN also lists Thermal Guard Temperature Control alongside GaN Infinity technology and SmartCharge power distribution.

The different charging modes can also help manage and lessen that heat further.

If I don’t need something charged immediately, I can opt for smarter or lower-temperature Thermal-safe charging instead of constantly pushing as much power as possible. Power when I need it. Less heat when I don’t.

Although for my day-to-day use-case, Priority Charging makes the most sense.

Case in point: I tested this with the vivo X300 Ultra I’m dilly dallying.

vivo X300 Ultra	*Adaptive Charging*	*Priority Charging*
Charging Output	*9.6W ~ 12.9W* *8.1V / 1.6A*	*26.8W ~ 27.2W* *7.9V / 3.5A*
*START TIME (from 0%)*	9:11PM	12:31AM
3 minutes	4%	6%
5 minutes	5%	8%
*10 minutes*	9%	16%
15 minutes	13%	21%
*30 minutes*	26%	42%
45 minutes	39%	61%
*1 hour*	52%	80%

Adaptive Charging obviously charged it slower than ever. But when I enabled Priority Charging, it initially pulled around 30.8W to 31.2W for the first two minutes before settling around 26.8W to 27.2W. That’s still higher than the output through Adaptive Mode.

More so, it was able to reach 42% after 30 minutes and 80% after an hour in contrast to the 26% and 52% level of the former.

My MacBook Pro and flagship Android phones need significantly more power than smaller accessories. So, instead of letting everything fight equally for those watts, I can prioritize whichever device actually needs the extra juice.

Is the UGREEN Nexode Pro 160W your GadgetMatch?

At PhP 4999 / SG$ 140 / MYR 419, the UGREEN Nexode Pro 160W might sound like an overkill if all you need is something to charge your phone every night.

But, if you’re someone like me who owns lots of gadgets and constantly switches between a laptop, several smartphones, at least one tablet, a smartwatch, wireless headphones, and many other gadget ever imaginable, owning this charger quickly makes sense.

That’s most especially for the ultimate convenience it brings by only using one socket and fits right inside your bag’s tight pocket. I can fully rely on one brick instead of carrying multiple clunky chargers around.

Additives include its display that lets me see stats while doubling as a useful review tool to legitimize the charge tests in the reviews I do.

Charging modes lets me decide which power-hungry device deserves more juice. Priority when I see one getting slow. Thermal-charging if I sense that it’s getting warmer than the usual.

That retractable cable? It’s a real wonder as it will truly save me whenever I forget one in another unintentional scenario.

The UGREEN Nexode Pro 160W now has a permanent spot in my charging arsenal. It is a Swipe Right, Super Swipe, and definitely a worthy recipient of the GadgetMatch Seal of Approval.

Accessories

JBL brings a soundtrack to every room

The new lineup spans portable speakers, home audio, earbuds, gaming, and PartyBox.

Published

September 30, 2026

MJ Jucutan

A home has a mood for every room. The living room comes alive when friends arrive. The bedroom gets quieter at the end of the day. The kitchen has its own soundtrack while coffee is brewing and dinner is coming together. Then there is that one space where the volume inevitably goes up once the party starts.

JBL turned this idea into the setting for Sound Amplified, transforming Élan by the Bay into a home where every room had its own way of experiencing sound.

The new lineup moved through different parts of everyday life, bringing together portable speakers, home audio, earbuds, gaming headsets, and PartyBox systems under one roof.

Let the room set the mood

At the center of the experience was the JBL Pulse 6. Its latest evolution combines JBL Legendary Sound with AI Sound Boost and a customizable 360-degree lightshow that moves with the music.

The Pulse 6 itself has become part of the visual experience, with an illuminated handle and new lighting effects that make it feel at home.

There are party and ambient lighting modes for different moments, while Sunset Mode gradually dims the lights for winding down. A double tap activates Bedside Lamp, giving the speaker another life entirely as a soft light beside the bed.

With up to 12 hours of playtime and IP68 waterproof and dustproof protection, the Pulse 6 is also ready to move beyond the living room.

Through the JBL One app, users can customize the sound and lighting, while Auracast connectivity lets compatible JBL speakers connect and play together.

Select PartyBox speakers and JBL PartyLight products can also synchronize their lighting with the Pulse 6 for a larger sound-and-light setup.

When the living room becomes the party

JBL expands its PartyBox lineup with the PartyBox 330 and PartyBox Ultimate 2, bringing bigger sound and more visual energy to gatherings that have outgrown the playlist on someone’s phone.

The PartyBox 330 delivers deeper bass, clearer highs, and a redesigned lightshow that reacts to the music. With up to 18 hours of playtime, it’s made to move with the party. Karaoke-ready inputs and compatibility with JBL EasySing Mics also make it easy to turn a casual gathering into a full performance.

There’s also the PartyBox Ultimate 2, JBL’s most powerful and advanced PartyBox yet. It delivers 1500W of JBL Legendary Sound, with an upgraded acoustic system combining professional-grade tweeters, mid-range drivers, and powerful woofers for deeper bass, richer vocals, and more detail.

Its full-panel lightshow gives the speaker a presence of its own, while touchscreen controls keep the experience within reach.

Built-in EasySing AI Vocal Removal can turn favorite songs into karaoke tracks, while interactive party games add another way to keep everyone around the speaker.

A soundtrack for every room

JBL Cove introduces a new whole-home Wi-Fi audio system designed around the way music moves through a house. The JBL Cove M1, Cove P1, and Cove X1 offer different approaches to everyday listening.

Each speaker can work on its own, as a stereo pair, or as part of a connected system through the JBL One app. Music can follow you around the house, with the option to have the same soundtrack playing throughout or different music in different rooms.

The Cove P1 adds portability with up to 14 hours of playtime, while both the P1 and X1 support Dolby Atmos for greater depth and dimension.

Then there is “Music Follows Me,” a feature that feels particularly suited to the way people actually move around their homes. Press the Moment button and your music can transfer to another room without having to reach for your phone or open an app.

For a more complete home entertainment setup, Cove speakers can also work with compatible JBL Bar Series MK2 soundbars.

The JBL Cinema SB510MK2 and SB550MK2 take that home theater experience further, with dedicated center channels, Dolby Audio, and straightforward connectivity designed to make dialogue clearer and sound more immersive.

Both also feature JBL SurroundPlay technology, allowing users to wirelessly connect compatible JBL portable speakers as rear surround channels. At launch, the JBL Flip 7 is the compatible model, giving movie nights a more complete surround setup.

When the room is in your pocket

JBL’s latest generation of true wireless earbuds comes through the Tune Beam 3, Tune Buds 3, and Tune Flex 3, bringing JBL Pure Bass Sound, immersive spatial audio, and adaptive noise cancelling into everyday listening.

Six built-in microphones with advanced beamforming technology are designed to keep calls clear, while the JBL Headphones app gives users more ways to personalize their listening experience.

The choice between the three comes down partly to fit. The Tune Beam 3 and Tune Buds 3 offer a more sealed in-ear design, while the Tune Flex 3 lets users switch between open and sealing ear tips depending on how much of the outside world they want to let in.

For everyday listening, the JBL Wave Beam 3, Wave Buds 3, and Wave Flex 3 bring JBL Deep Bass Sound, up to 40 hours of total playback, clear calls, and easy connectivity into lightweight designs.

The Wave Beam 3 and Wave Buds 3 feature Active Noise Cancelling with Smart Ambient. The open-style Wave Flex 3 uses Active Noise Reduction with Smart Ambient, keeping the listening experience more connected to the surroundings.

The room where game time happens

The JBL Quantum 120 and Quantum 520 bring JBL Quantum Spatial Sound and customizable audio through JBL QuantumENGINE.

Both feature a detachable 6mm cardioid boom microphone designed to keep voices clear and focused during multiplayer sessions.

The wired Quantum 120 offers straightforward connectivity across multiple platforms, while the wireless Quantum 520 brings flexible connectivity and up to 37 hours of playback.

Sound that lives with you

JBL’s latest lineup makes the case that sound is no longer confined to a single part of the home. Rather than treating audio as something that sits in one corner, JBL built its latest collection around the different ways sound becomes part of everyday life.

Because a home is never really one atmosphere. The mood changes from room to room, and JBL wants to make sure the soundtrack can keep up.

Accessories

UGREEN launches new MagFlow and Nexode Pro charging accessories to Southeast Asia

Here to charge your multiple devices rapidly

Published

September 30, 2026

Vincenz

Graphice by Vincenz Lee | GadgetMatch

UGREEN has finally introduced its new MagFlow and Nexode Pro charging accessories to Southeast Asia. These bring faster wireless charging, improved thermal management, and high-power multi-device charging

Nexode Pro 160W Charger + Retractable Cable

First in the list is UGREEN’s Nexode Pro 160W Charger with Retractable Cable.

This charging adapter offers up to a speedy 160W total output across four charging connections.

It has three USB-C outputs and one USB-A port, including a built-in 70cm retractable USB-C cable. The USB-C1 port and built-in cable support up to 140W, while USB-C2 supports up to 100W and USB-A reaches 22.5W.

Other features include a smart display, SmartCharge power distribution, GaNInfinity technology, Thermal Guard, OTA updates, and Bluetooth/Wi-Fi connectivity for app-based control.

MagFlow Pro 10,000mAh 25W Magnetic Power Bank

The MagFlow Pro packs a 10,000mAh battery with up to 25W Qi2 wireless charging and 45W USB-C output. Its standout feature is UGREEN’s CryoPulse liquid-cooling system, which uses a visible coolant window and multi-layer heat dissipation to help manage temperatures during wireless charging.

UGREEN says the system can reduce peak phone temperatures by up to 10°C compared to its industry benchmark in testing.

It also features a built-in 45W USB-C cable, USB-C port, charging status display, and 16+1 N52H magnets for a secure magnetic hold.

MagFlow 2-in-1 25W Foldable Wireless Charger

Lastly, the MagFlow 2-in-1 Foldable Magnetic Wireless Charger 25W combines a 25W Qi2 magnetic charging pad with a dedicated earbuds charging area.

It delivers up to 25W to an iPhone and 5W to earbuds, while its foldable design doubles as a phone stand. It also supports simultaneous wireless charging for a phone and AirPods.

The charger uses 17 N48H magnets for up to 11N of magnetic force and features Thermal Guard temperature monitoring. When folded, it measures 2.37 × 2.86 × 1.05 inches.