I tested the GameSir G8+ Bluetooth across Android and iOS iPhone users are getting the roughest deal

Date:
Sun, 26 Jul 2026 15:00:00 +0000

Description:
The GameSir G8+ Bluetooth is the wireless version of a popular mobile controller, but cutting the cord comes with some compromises.

FULL STORY ======================================================================GameSir G8+ Bluetooth: One-minute review The GameSir G8+ Bluetooth is the wireless mobile controller in the G8 family and bolsters compatibility from being simply mobile, to the Nintendo Switch , tablets, and PC. The same full-size grips, Hall effect joysticks and triggers, and programmable back buttons that made the wired versions of the G8 so impressive remain, and at $79.99 / 79.99 / AU$129, so does the price.

On paper, youd think its a no-brainer to go wireless, particularly with the addition of a six-axis gyroscope adding to that strong core experience, but the wireless freedom you gain comes with meaningful trade-offs. Noticeably, the lack of passthrough charging and the lack of a headphone jack, both obvious casualties of the move to Bluetooth. More importantly for iPhone gamers, the GameSir iOS app doesn't recognize the controller, which means the stick calibration, dead zone tuning, hair-trigger configuration, and back button mapping that make the G8 Plus so compelling as an option on other platforms go completely to waste. The Bluetooth connection itself also feels less locked-in than the wired experience on iPhone, with small stick
movements occasionally getting lost along the way. Latest Videos From TechRadar Watch full video here:

On Android and PC, the experience is significantly better. The app works, the back buttons are configurable, and theres haptic feedback on offer as well (albeit with patchy support, particularly on mobile). For the first time, you can even use the G8 Plus with your Nintendo Switch. But if an iPhone is your primary device, the wired GameSir G8+ MFi delivers a more complete, more reliable experience for the same money. (Image credit: Future) GameSir G8+ Bluetooth (PC) at Amazon for 94.75 GameSir G8+ Bluetooth: Price and availability List price: $79.99 / 79.99 / AU$129 Available from GameSir and major retailers Same price as the rest of the G8 range The middle sibling,
the GameSir G8+ Bluetooth launched in mid-2024 at $79.99 / 79.99 / AU$129, matching the rest of the G8 family.

Each variant has pros and cons, so the consistent price puts the onus firmly on the buyer to decide which set of trade-offs works best for their setup. GameSir has also released a couple of special edition color variants in some regions, including a Hulk and a Thanos Edition, which will set you back slightly more.

At this price, it remains highly competitive against the Backbone One 2nd Gen and is significantly cheaper than the Razer Kishi Ultra , though the
Bluetooth limitations on iPhone mean it's not the straightforward recommendation the wired models are. Get daily insight, inspiration and deals in your inbox Sign up for breaking news, reviews, opinion, top tech deals,
and more. Contact me with news and offers from other Future brands Receive email from us on behalf of our trusted partners or sponsors By submitting
your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over. GameSir G8+ Bluetooth: Specs Swipe to scroll
horizontally Row 0 - Cell 0

GameSir G8+ Bluetooth

Price

$79.99 / 79.99 / AU$129

Dimensions

9.06 x 4.21 x 2.17 in / 230 x 107 x 55mm

Weight

0.69 lbs / 314g

Connection

Bluetooth 5.3, Wired USB-C (PC), Wireless Dongle (sold separately)

Compatibility

iOS, Android, Nintendo Switch, PC, macOS

Software

GameSir App (Android only) GameSir G8+ Bluetooth: Design and features Comfortable, console controller-like ergonomics shared with the rest of the
G8 range Bluetooth versatility across five platforms, but mode switching is a hassle Special edition designs are only available in certain markets The G8+ Bluetooth is the first and only member of the G8 family that cuts the cord entirely. Wireless freedom and the versatility it brings are the entire
pitch, and it helps broaden the G8s platform compatibility too.

Unlike the original G8 Galileo and the G8+ MFi, which are limited to mobile only, this controller works with iOS, Android, the Nintendo Switch, PC (via wired USB-C or Bluetooth, with a wireless dongle sold separately), and macOS. Console gaming aside, in theory, that means the G8+ is ready to follow you anywhere on your gaming journey.

The reality, unfortunately, is a little more complicated. Each platform requires its own Bluetooth pairing mode, triggered by holding different
button combinations on the controller. If you're a one-device person, this is a simple pair-once-and-forget situation, and you can skip to the next paragraph.

If you're hopping between platforms, as I was during testing, it gets tedious fast. Switching modes caused regular reconnection failures with devices the controller had previously been paired with, and keeping track of which mode goes with which platform isn't intuitive. It's workable, and were in first-world problem territory here for sure, but it's not the seamless experience it should be. Image 1 of 2 (Image credit: Future) (Image credit: Future) Image 1 of 2 View Original Image 2 of 2 View Original On the plus side, turning it on couldnt be simpler because stretching the controller open automatically powers it on and letting it close fully again powers it down. This isnt a life-changing feature but certainly a nice convenience that
worked reliably throughout testing.

A 1000mAh battery sits split across both grips, charging via USB-C. The GameSir app tracks each side independently, which is how I discovered the
left and right grips drain at slightly different rates despite charging as a single unit. I saw a couple of percent drop over half an hour of active use, and the rated eight-hour battery life seems about right based on that.

The black colorway is a clean, classic look that feels more like a
traditional controller than the grey and grey-and-white of its wired
siblings. GameSir has also released rather jazzy Hulk- and Thanos-themed special editions in some regions, making this the only G8 variant with cosmetic variety, though theyll set you back a little more for the paint job.

The build quality and overall shape match the rest of the family; its well designed and well built with the same full-size, Xbox-like grips, textured backs and a solid chassis. Its comfortable to hold for extended sessions, and while at 11oz/314g it's the heaviest of the three on paper, the balance is good, and the weight didn't register during testing.

Case compatibility is a mixed bag, as is often the case with mobile
controller grips. Without a USB-C connector going into the phone, there's no port angle to stress about, thankfully, but the physical cradle can still be tight.

My iPhone 17 Pro fit with a slim case on but sat at a noticeable angle
towards the left side, which saw it protrude more than Id like. There is a rubber pad on the phone deck that appears to serve the same purpose as the
G8+ MFi's removable magnetic panel for camera bump clearance, but this one is glued down rather than magnetically attached.

GameSirs marketing suggests this is still meant to be removed to accommodate camera bumps, but it really didn't feel like it wanted to come off, and I wasn't willing to force it. If you do take it off, dont expect it to go back on neatly and expect to trap plenty of dust in the residue.

The D-pad shares the same feel as the rest of the G8 family: slightly mushy initial movement but with a clicky, short-travel feel once you commit to an input. Swappable ABXY caps and thumbstick caps carry over, too, as do the three alternate stick options, and theyre easily adjusted by popping off the magnetic faceplates.

Once again, however, GameSir only includes one of each of these replaceable sticks, so you cant run the same option on both sides. One annoyance that cropped up here for the first time on any G8 Ive tested: on iOS, the controller connects as a DualShock controller, so all on-screen UI elements
in compatible games display PlayStation button labels.

GameSir doesn't include any PlayStation-legended alternative keycaps in the box, so youll need to remember that triangle is Y, for example. (Image
credit: Future) GameSir G8+ Bluetooth: Performance Hall effect inputs are excellent and responsive, but Bluetooth feels a step behind wired iPhone
users lose app support, back buttons, and customization entirely Vibration motors remain largely a spec-sheet feature with no real-world use As youd expect, the core gameplay experience with the G8+ Bluetooth mirrors the other options in the G8 range. The Hall effect thumbsticks and triggers are smooth and precise with a high level of sensitivity.

Resistance in these is just right for my taste; I found I was able to confidently hold the sticks at a midpoint for fine adjustments without the sense that the stick was itching to return to its starting point. The
triggers offer full analog travel with a responsive hair-trigger mode (assuming you can enable it, more on that shortly). In analog mode, I felt like I had a nice level of control and was able to modulate the throttle in Forza Horizon 6 with plenty of detail.

That said, the Bluetooth connection introduced a subtle but noticeable difference in feel I hadnt experienced before with a GameSir G8. I couldnt quite quantify it, but I didn't feel as locked-in using the G8+ Wireless as I did with the wired equivalents.

It's not consistent, obvious latency, or any kind of genuine stutter or interference; it's more that small thumbstick movements occasionally felt
like they were getting lost along the way. Everything was perfectly playable, and my skill as a gamer is certainly not high enough for this to be a make-or-break thing, but if you're serious about your gaming, the wired experience is definitely tighter. (Image credit: Future) The biggest issue I came across, and the one that separates this controller from the rest of the G8 family, is the iPhone experience. Its somewhat lacking. Because iOS sees the controller as a DualShock 4, the GameSir app doesnt recognize the G8+ Bluetooth. That means no stick calibration, no deadzone adjustment, no hair-trigger toggling, and no back button mapping.

The two rear programmable buttons, labeled M1 and M2, ship unbound by
default, and there's no way to configure them on iOS. They don't appear in
the iPhone's native controller settings either because iOS thinks this is a DualShock 4, which doesn't have back buttons. On macOS, I was able to rebind other buttons through native system options, but back button mapping wasn't available there either for the same reason.

On Android, the picture is much better. The app recognized the controller (though admittedly it took a couple of attempts at first), and once
connected, all the usual calibration, deadzone, hair-trigger, and back button configuration options were available. Gaming on the POCO X5 Pro was a smooth experience, with Fortnite and Call of Duty Mobile both running well after the usual game-side controller recognition quirks.

PC gaming was the most pleasant surprise. Connected via either USB-C or Bluetooth, the controller was recognized immediately as a PlayStation 4 controller and was fully mapped out of the box for both local and cloud gaming. Gyro tracking worked here too, which is a nice bonus for games that support it. On macOS, things were less smooth.

The controller initially tried to connect as a "GameSir G8" which required manual Steam configuration and then wasn't recognized in-game. Reverting to DualShock mode fixed the issue, and games worked with automated mapping after that. Shoudl you buy the GameSir G8+ Bluetooth? Buy it if...

You're an Android user who wants one controller for phone, Switch, and PC
The Bluetooth versatility and full GameSir app support on Android make the
G8+ Bluetooth a seriously flexible, wireless option. If you play across multiple platforms and want a single controller to handle them all, this
could well be it.

You value wireless convenience over raw precision No connections mean a simpler experience and fewer points of failure. It also brings a wider
variety of devices into play. Don't buy it if...

You're primarily an iPhone user While it does work natively for games that play nicely with a physical controller, the lack of GameSir app support, non-functional back buttons, and DualShock workaround make the iPhone experience feel like an afterthought. The wired G8+ MFi is the better choice for the same money and with little drawback.

You want the tightest possible input response Dont get me wrong, the Bluetooth connection is perfectly playable, but it doesn't feel as precise
and instantly responsive as the wired G8 controllers. If competitive
precision matters to you, go wired. Also consider... Trying to work out if
the GameSir G8+ Bluetooth is the one to get? Here's how it compares to other, similar controller grips. Swipe to scroll horizontally Row 0 - Cell 0

GameSir G8+ Bluetooth

GameSir G8+ MFi Galileo MFi

Scuf Nomad

Price

$79.99 / 79.99 / AU$129.99

$79.99 / 79.99 / AU$129.99

$99.99 / 89.99 / around AU$179.99

Dimensions

9.06 x 4.21 x 2.17in / 230 x 107 x 55mm

9.02 x 4.20 x 2.13in / 229 x 106.8 x 54.2mm

6.93 x 3.70 x 1.34in / 176 x 93.98 x 34.03mm

Weight

10.72oz / 314g

10.72oz / 304g

0.5 lbs / 228 g

Connection

Bluetooth 5.3, Wired (USB-C), Dongle (sold separately)

Wired (USB-C)

Wireless (Bluetooth)

Compatibility

Android, iOS, Nintendo Switch, PC, macOS

Android, iOS

iOS

Software

GameSir App (Android only)

GameSir App

Scuf Nomad Companion App (iOS)

GameSir G8+ MFi The G8+ MFi is the wired, Apple-friendly equivalent from the same family. It offers MFi certification, full GameSir app support on both
iOS and Android, passthrough charging, a headphone jack, and functional back buttons on every platform. If you don't need wireless or Switch/PC compatibility, it's the more complete package.

For more information, check out our full GameSir G8+ MFi review

Scuf Nomad The Scuf Nomad is an iPhone-only Bluetooth alternative with a lighter build, 16 hours of battery life, and an app that actually works on iOS. It's more compact, handles phone cases better, and has configurable rear paddles. The trade-off is no Android, Switch, or PC support and a higher
price tag.

For more information, check out our full Scuf Nomad review How I tested the GameSir G8+ Bluetooth Tested with multiple devices A wide variety of games tried Compared to other mobile controllers I spent several days testing
across iOS, Android, PC, and macOS, with a focus on comparing the experience to the wired G8 and G8+ MFi I'd previously reviewed.

I tested on an iPhone 17 Pro and POCO X5 Pro 5G, playing Fortnite , Call of Duty Mobile , and Forza Horizon 6 via Xbox Cloud Gaming on mobile, and
Stardew Valley via Steam on PC. I evaluated Bluetooth connectivity, app compatibility, back button functionality, latency feel, vibration motors, and cross-platform mode switching.

Read more about how we test

First reviewed June-July 2026 GameSir G8+ Bluetooth: Price Comparison 94.75 View We check over 250 million products every day for the best prices powered by



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Link to news story: https://www.techradar.com/gaming/gamesir-g8-plus-bluetooth-review


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