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

Sony WF-1000XM6 was accidentally leaked online

The design suggests some interesting changes.

Published

February 3, 2026

Luigi Leonardo

Despite how small they are, the unannounced Sony WF-1000XM6 has just made a huge appearance, albeit accidentally, in an online retail store. Though the leak doesn’t reveal all the technical details about the device, the scant photos and specs are enough to paint an interesting picture about Sony’s next earbuds.

Via The Walkman Blog, an online retailer called Power Buy accidentally released a store page for the WF-1000XM6. The page contains extensive photos and a few specs for the device. Now, the specs don’t reveal much. As we can already ascertain based on previous releases, the earbuds will have Active Noise Cancelation and IPX4-rated water resistance.

The photos, however, are telling. For one, the WF-1000XM6 will return to a completely matte texture after a brief switch to a glossy texture for the current generation. The overall design is more elongated or pill-shaped, too. Previous earbuds feature a more circular or compact design.

Conversely, the charging case switches from a pill-shaped design to a more angular one, featuring flat bases. The flatter design should make the case stabler while on a surface but might make it clunkier when inside a pocket.

The leak caps it all off by including a price: THB 11,990 (or roughly US$ 381), which is a lot higher than the current generation. Either Sony went crazy with the price increase, or this is just a placeholder price. Only time (and an official launch) will tell. The leak, unfortunately, doesn’t reveal a launch date, so it might still be quite a wait.

Accessories

OBSBOT launches AI-powered 4K Tiny 3 series webcams

Professional-grade audiovisual features in compact bodies

Published

January 28, 2026

GadgetMatch

OBSBOT has announced the global launch of two new AI-powered 4K webcams: the Tiny 3 and Tiny 3 Lite.

Designed for content creators, streamers, podcasters, remote professionals, educators, and more, the Tiny 3 series sets a new benchmark for professional webcams.

The products combine studio-grade spatial audio, flagship-level imaging, and industry-leading AI intelligence.

The two variants also come in ultra-compact aluminum-alloy bodies while delivering premium sight and sound.

Both the Tiny 3 and Tiny 3 Lite feature industry-leading triple silicon MEMS microphone array. This system combines one omnidirectional and two directional microphones powered by Sisonic MEMS technology.

The architecture is commonly found in premium TWS earbuds and professional audio equipment. Such technology enables:

ultra-low distortion up to 130 dB SPL
exceptional 69dB signal-to-noise ratio
full spectrum 50Hz-20kHz frequency response
consistent unit-to-unit studio quality

This way, users can expect immersive sound that rivals dedicated microphones without the need to buy an extra product.

In addition, the Tiny 3 series features five dedicated audio profiles so users can tailor fit the webcams for various needs:

Pure Audio Mode — zero processing, studio-grade capture
Spatial Audio Mode — enhanced left-right stereo separation for vlogs, storytelling with soundscape
Smart Omni Mode — AI-powered 360-degree pickup with balanced vocals, ambient sound
Directional Mode — focuses on voice in front while cutting surrounding noise
Dual-Directional Mode — clear audio capture from front and rear while rejecting side noise

Moreover, the Tiny 3 series comes with Voice Locator. This feature lets the product find users, smoothly rotating the gimbal and tracking them automatically.

They can also leverage voice commands or the OBSBOT Vox SE wireless lavalier for cable-free audio.

Flagship imaging

Picture wise, the Tiny 3 features 4K@30fps video and up to 120fps high-frame rate capture. The system also uses advanced DCG HDR for balanced highlights and shadows, as well as ultra-fast dual all-pixel PDAF autofocus.

And powered by OBSBOT’s AI algorithms, the series introduces AI Tracking 2.0. Key capabilities include:

accurate tracking of subjects like individuals, groups, hands, objects, and more via Only Me mode
auto zoom, customizable composition lines, Face Framing
Voice Tracking
Multiple AI modes, including dedicated Desk Mode, Whiteboard Mode
Intuitive gesture and voice controls

For further control, users can use the OBSBOT Center and OBSBOT live for creative controls. These cover exposure and gamma curve adjustments, manual white balance tuning, and more.

Furthermore, the Tiny 3 products support remote interaction and VR features powered by the OBSBOT Toolkit.

They also integrate effortlessly with the OBSBOT ecosystem for livestreams, gaming handheld capabilities, and more.

Price, availability

The Tiny 3 starts at US$ 349 while the Tiny 3 Lite starts at US$ 199. The Vox SE, meanwhile, retails for US$ 59.

Accessories

Soundtrack for the city: HIDDEN.NY x AIAIAI TMA-2 headphones

Published

January 28, 2026

Alex Matinkhah

Living in a big city like New York makes you want to have music on a lot: on the subway, walking between meetings, sitting in a café with your laptop, zoning out on a long walk home, or romanticizing the smallest things. Headphones have become an essential part of my life.

That’s why the HIDDEN.NY x AIAIAI collaboration makes sense. The TMA-2 HIDDEN Edition headphones are reminiscent of early-2000s tech. It’s nostalgic but with New York City character, at least the kind that I encounter and not the one you see in movies.

If you follow either brand, the partnership feels natural. HIDDEN.NY started as an Instagram mood board and grew into a full lifestyle platform rooted in street culture and design. AIAIAI is a Danish company that’s long been part of music culture, known for modular gear that artists use.

The first thing you notice is the colorway. The transparent design with green highlights is subtle. It’s not loud but still stands out.

You can see the structure of the headphones, which makes them feel more like an accessory than just another piece of black plastic tech. Bonus points that they are a conversation starter, too.

In daily use, the headphones are easy to live with. They are light and comfortable, which is important when you’re wearing them for long stretches. They don’t clamp too hard nor do they feel bulky.

Sound-wise, they’re clean and balanced. While it doesn’t have active noise cancellation, it works well for all the ways people actually listen in a big city. I like that you don’t have to think about the sound much.

It’s just good in a way that doesn’t get in your way, whatever mood I’m in wherever I am in the city, these headphones are great company.

AIAIAI’s modular approach also means these aren’t built to be tossed when something wears out. The speaker, headband, earpads, and cable are all replaceable.

So much of the tech we use should grow with us, even if they get outdated. So AIAIAI builds systems that can be upgraded over time. That’s part of why artists and DJs use them.

Especially because it’s a collectible, it feels like a piece you’ll want to keep. As someone who uses his prized possessions for a really long time, I love this about these headphones.

In a city where everything moves fast and feels temporary, it’s nice to have gear that doesn’t feel disposable.

The campaign, shot by photographer Gunner Stahl, probably looks familiar if you’re attuned to hiphop culture. What sets his work apart is his portraits feel more raw and relaxed instead of posed and polished. It aligns with HIDDEN.NY’s aesthetic, the kind of everyday style that feels genuine.

At the end of the day, the HIDDEN.NY x AIAIAI TMA-2 Bluetooth headphones make sense for people who live in cities like New York, where music is part of how you move, work, and think.

They sound good, they look interesting and different. They fit into real life without trying too hard.

The TMA-2 Hidden Edition headphones retail for US$220 and is available on aiaiai.audio.