Xbox Core Wireless Controller
The easiest way to upgrade your smartphone gaming setup is with a controller, and it’s hard to argue against the classic Xbox-style controller. With native support for controllers built right into Android, it’s incredibly easy to pair up an Xbox Core controller via Bluetooth and jump right into your favorite games, with no additional configuration required.
The Xbox-style layout is one of the most popular around, and for good reason. Most games default to the ABXY layouts, and asymmetrical analog stick placement tends to be very comfortable for long gaming sessions. Throw in long battery life with replaceable AA batteries and the ability to pair the controller with multiple devices and you’ve got a winner in the controller category.
8Bitdo Mobile Gaming Clip
And to follow up on the excellent Xbox wireless controller, you can pick up one cheap accessory to make it feel much more at home with your smartphone.
The 8Bitdo mobile gaming clip sits right on your Xbox controller giving you a small clamp to hold your phone right above the controller, turning it into a pseudo-clamshell design. This will let you move the controller around while keeping your phone with it, skipping the need for a kickstand or awkwardly propping your phone up against anything you can find.
And at just $15, it’s an extremely affordable upgrade you can make.
8Bitdo Lite 2
Maybe you’re not as interested in Call of Duty as you are in classic games or emulators. Who needs a full-blown Xbox controller when you can get something a little more retro and authentic?
Making a second appearance on our list, 8Bitdo offers an excellent controller for lighter gaming. The Lite 2 costs about half as much as an Xbox controller but has a perfect layout for playing old-school games or something like Stardew Valley, and it’s just as simple to pair up with your phone thanks to Bluetooth connectivity.
This is another controller that’s pretty plug-and-play with Android thanks to our favorite OS’s native controller functions, so you can jump into a gaming session as soon as you open the box.
Read: The Best Android Chargers 2024
Backbone One
If you’re looking for something more integrated that feels like a native gaming solution, you should check out the Backbone One controller.
Instead of wireless connectivity, the Backbone acts like a case for your phone; simply slot it into the extending controller grips with the USB-C connection, and voila; you’ve got a setup that can make Nintendo Switch owners jealous.
The cool part about the Backbone is that it works seamlessly right out of the box thanks to Backbone’s dedicated app. It holds all your games, shows you recommendations and popular titles other people are playing, and lets you take screenshots and make clips without extra hardware or configuration. It’s a little pricey compared to some other options, but the ability to make your phone feel like a native gaming system is worth the cost.
Asus ROG Cetra Wireless Earbuds
Audio is one of the most important parts of your gaming setup, and you don’t want to neglect that just because it’s on your phone.
The Asus ROG Cetra wireless earbuds are custom-built for gaming enthusiasts with a ton of features that you’ll want for those long gaming sessions. The biggest selling point here is the low latency Bluetooth connection, which means you won’t have a delay between firing a gun in Call of Duty and when you actually hear the sound effect.
Asus didn’t skimp anywhere else, though. The earbuds offer up to 27 hours of battery life with the included case, which charges wirelessly. You get active noise cancelation, touch controls, water resistance, and wide compatibility with phones and other gaming consoles.
Read: The Best OnePlus Phone To Buy – 2024
Anker 10,000mAh Power Bank
The last thing you want in the middle of your gaming session is a dead phone, and if you don’t already have a portable battery, that’s your best option to keep going. There’s obviously no shortage of portable batteries on Amazon and the rest of the internet, but Anker is an incredibly reliable pick.
The Anker 10,000mAh power bank delivers exactly what you want for a gaming companion; huge capacity, fast charging speeds from Anker’s Power IQ technology, and a slim design. You can toss this in your bag and use any USB-C cable to recharge both your phone and the power bank.
And best of all, Anker pretty regularly sells this for under $20.
High-speed Wall Charger
If you don’t need the portability of a separate battery, a simple high-speed charging block is the next best option to extend your gaming sessions. You’ve probably already realized that gaming drains your phone’s battery faster than almost anything else, but you can snag an incredibly fast and affordable charger and avoid that low battery warning.
Amazon offers a gallium nitride charger, delivering up to 60W of charging power in a very compact block. Those high speeds mean your phone can take advantage of any fast charging features it has, keeping your battery topped off even while dishing out high-end graphics while gaming on a 5G connection.
Any of these accessories is guaranteed to step up your mobile gaming experience, no matter what you’re playing. Let us know what you’re currently using for your smartphone setup and what you’ve been playing this year.
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