Abstract
- Remodeling an Android cellphone right into a gaming handheld is a cheap different to costly gaming consoles and laptops.
- Using the GameSir X3 Professional cellular controller, Google Play Video games, Steam Hyperlink, and GeForce Now can improve the cellular gaming expertise.
- With entry to Steam and the PlayStation Distant Play App, you’ll be able to take pleasure in a wide range of titles in your cellphone with clean gameplay.
Gaming handhelds just like the Nintendo Switch, Asus ROG Ally X, and Steam Deck are widespread as a result of they allow you to play your favourite titles anyplace. They’re compact, light-weight, and supply an genuine console-like expertise with wonderful graphics and responsive sticks and triggers.
Though I admire the newest gaming handhelds, I discover them costly and battle to justify the fee. They’re equally priced to extra highly effective consoles, just like the PlayStation 5 and entry-level gaming laptops, which arguably supply higher worth. With this in thoughts, I made a decision to create my very own low-cost gaming handheld utilizing an previous Android cellphone to see how it might evaluate.
Samsung Galaxy S22
$625 $850 Save
$225

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1
{Hardware} conversion
Exact controls and cooling
Including a cellular controller was the primary and most vital step in changing my Samsung S22 right into a gaming handheld. I added the GameSir X3 Professional as a result of it is comparatively inexpensive and filled with the newest options like micro-switch triggers, hall-effect sticks, and rumble motors. It additionally includes a built-in fan to make sure my cellphone stays cool, and a conveniently positioned USB-C port to maintain my cellphone charged whereas enjoying demanding video games.
Including a cellular controller was the primary and most vital step in changing my Samsung S22 right into a gaming handheld.
Extra importantly, the X3 Professional is snug for hours of use, and I can simply set up and take away my cellphone in seconds with the spring-loaded locking mechanism. All I wanted to do was slide my cellphone into the cellular controller’s USB-C port and plug in my charger to get the fan began, and I used to be able to go.

GameSir X3 Professional Cell Controller
2
Google Play Video games
An enormous library
Google Play Video games is constructed into Android telephones and gives an in depth number of titles to select from. The platform gives a variety of video games, from easy puzzle titles to on-line shooters and racing video games, catering to each participant. You can too select between on-line and offline video games, or choose without spending a dime choices if you happen to want to not pay.
I take pleasure in a wide range of video games and selected Gangstar Vegas: World of Crime as a mobile-friendly different to GTA. I additionally put in Asphalt 8 and Actual Racing 3 to fulfill my racing itch, and Avenue Fighter IV CE and Shadow Combat 3 to de-stress with button-bashing chaos. All of the video games labored flawlessly with the controller. Some supplied native assist and labored robotically, and others required me to map the buttons manually.


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3
Steam Hyperlink
Play PC video games from the sofa
I’ve an in depth Steam library, however I hate spending extra time at my desk than I’ve to after an extended day’s work. Steam Hyperlink allows me to play PC video games, reminiscent of Counter-Strike 2, Cyberpunk 2077, and Titanfall 2, on my cellphone whereas enjoyable on the sofa or in mattress.
The catch is that each gadgets have to be linked to the identical Wi-Fi community.
Steam Hyperlink is accessible without spending a dime on the Google Play Retailer and will be arrange in minutes. All my Steam titles are then out there to play on my cellphone, and the app even shops my controller settings for every time I wish to play. The catch is that each gadgets have to be linked to the identical Wi-Fi community, and I am unable to entry my Steam video games after I’m on the highway.

4
GeForce Now
Stream titles from the cloud
GeForce / Pocket-lint
The GeForce Now cloud gaming platform is one other method to play your favourite PC video games in your cellphone so long as you will have an web connection. You will must obtain the app and join to make use of the service. US-based customers can select between the Free possibility, which permits one-hour session lengths, or the subscription-based Efficiency and Final packages, which unlock further options reminiscent of longer periods and shorter queues.
As soon as you’ve got signed up, you’ll be able to entry your Steam or Epic retailer libraries and obtain different PC video games. You will want a fairly quick web connection to entry GeForce Now, and its efficiency and availability rely in your location. Sadly, GeForce Now’s absolutely subscribed in my space, and I could not check the video games utilizing a VPN as a result of the speeds have been too sluggish.
5
PlayStation Distant Play App
Console video games in your cellphone
The PlayStation Distant Play App is a straightforward approach for me to stream my favourite console titles to my cellphone. It is free by way of the Google Play Retailer, and all I must do is check in to my PlayStation account to entry my console. I can then stream any of the video games in my library and remotely entry the PS+ service and different options. Like with Steam Hyperlink, the service solely works on the identical Wi-Fi community.
I attempted a number of video games and was impressed with their efficiency. Horizon: Forbidden West misplaced a few of its vivid colours, however the gameplay remained as clean and fluid as ever after I performed it on my cellphone utilizing the cellular controller. Nickelodeon Kart Racers remained as wacky as ever, and the expertise was the identical utilizing my DualSense controller. Nothing modified with Injustice 2, and the gameplay and controls felt precisely like enjoying on a TV, aside from the smaller display screen.


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