- A semiconductor cooler keeps your phone cool
- Responsive controls
- Swapable buttons present a challenge
GameSir has done it again. The game controller developer responsible for the GameSir G8+ and X2s recently introduced its X3 Pro. It’s a wired controller that features impressive cooling technology to keep your device cool during intense gaming sessions.
Unboxing the GameSir X3 Pro
The GameSir X3 Pro Cooling Wired mobile game controller comes packaged in a sturdy cardboard box. Upon opening it, you’ll see a slender rectangular box containing your Type-C charging cord and instructions alongside the included controller case. The fairly sturdy case features a simplistic design. It’s white with rounded corners, a silver strap for easy carrying, and a green zipper. The inner side of the lid features a square in which you’ll find extra joystick covers. Situated snugly within the case is the controller itself.
Like the GameSir X2s, the X3 Pro warps around your mobile device. However, it is quite a bit larger than a typical wrap-around phone controller. Its extendable design allows you to use it with a variety of Android devices, as well as the iPhone 15/16. It features a white and green body with a joystick and D-pad and two indicator lights between them, on the left side and X, Y, A and B buttons and a second joystick on the right. There’s also a small G button on the left and a corresponding S button on the opposite side.
The X3 Pro Features Impressive Cooling Capabilities
Your standard trigger buttons are at the top of the device, and a USB-C port is at the bottom. Clear, removable ergonomic handles are on either side of the back. I found it more comfortable to leave the handles on, but it really comes down to personal preference.
Centred on the back of the device is a green fan which cools your phone as you play. In the middle of the front of the X3 Pro, where your phone will rest, is a grey rectangle which is cool to the touch when it’s plugged in. This semiconductor cooler keeps your phone from overheating using heat dissipation. I was honestly surprised by how well the semiconductor cooler works. It kept my phone at a decent temperature even after playing graphic-intensive games like Alien Isolation.
Connecting the GameSir X3 Pro to Your Phone
To connect the X3 Pro to your phone, first insert the USB into your phone’s charging port. Then, extend the device, lay your phone flat inside it, and let the controller snap around it. If the upper indicator light is blinking, you may need to download the GameSir app and then press and hold the G and S buttons for several seconds. If the indicator light stays on, you’ve successfully connected the controller to your phone. 
You’ll hear the cooling fan hum whenever you use the device. While it would be nice if it were a tad quieter, it’s not so loud as to be disruptive to those around you, and it can easily be drowned out by increasing your phone’s volume if you find it irksome.
One interesting feature is the ability to swap the X, Y, A and B buttons out, allowing you to customise the layout to best suit your preferences. However, it’s tricky removing the buttons and even harder to re-insert them. So, unless you have a firm layout preference, I’d recommend leaving them be.
The X3 Pro Offer Responsive Controls
The GameSir X3 Pro features responsive triggers and buttons. The joysticks’ rubbery surface keeps your fingers from slipping, allowing you to avoid accidental movements. Further, the buttons are well-spaced, allowing you to switch between them with ease without constantly tapping the wrong one. 
Not once while burning rubber in Disney SpeedStorm or sneaking around Sevastopol, avoiding the Alien in Alien: Isolation, did my fingers slip from the joysticks. Nor did I experience any of the buttons sticking or slow response times. Additionally, my phone never got too hot, even after I had been gaming for several hours.
The GameSir X3 Pro’s responsive controls and comfortable ergonomic grips make it a great mobile controller. The semiconductor cooler keeps your phone from overheating even during long gaming sessions. While the ability to switch out the X, Y, A, and B buttons is a cool concept, it’s very difficult to replace them, making it a feature not worth using. Since it’s a wired controller, it’s not ideal for gaming on the go, unless you have access to an outlet. Overall, however, the X3 Pro wired mobile gaming controller is an excellent option for hardcore mobile gaming.