lThere are a ton of smartphone controllers out there, but few are as cool as Abxylute’s awesome M4 controller.
The Abxylute M4 is a MagSafe-compatible phone controller that’s perfectly pocket-sized and surprisingly great for gaming. I’ve been testing out a prototype version of the M4 controller that Abxylute sent me, and it’s quickly become one of my favourite phone accessories (and given me a reason to actually use the MagSafe Pixelsnap features on the Pixel 10 Pro).
The M4 controller is currently on Kickstarter with just days to go in the campaign. While I wouldn’t normally write about a Kickstarter, the product here is neat enough to warrant my interest, and it has already surpassed its goal with, at the time of writing, over CA$356,000 in backing.
The controller has two main parts. First is a metal ring — this is the MagSafe component that attaches to compatible phones magnetically, and has a little tab that connects to the controller magnetically. But the ring serves as more than just a magnetic bridge between phone and controller — it also sports a kickstand, super handy for anyone who wants to prop up the phone on a surface while playing.
The other main part is the controller itself. It connects via Bluetooth to the phone. It sports classic Nintendo-style A, B, X, and Y buttons, a D-pad, shoulder buttons, and even two tiny joysticks. Some models, like the orange one I tried, also feature colourful buttons, and there are versions in the works with a semi-transparent plastic casing for that classic Game Boy look.
While the M4 controller absolutely nails it in the looks department, it’s also extremely portable. The compact size and MagSafe compatibility make it easy to carry around attached to your phone, but if you don’t appreciate the added bulk, you can also easily pop off the controller and/or metal ring when not in use.
However, the compact size has some drawbacks too, namely ergonomics. The M4 is not the most comfortable controller, especially over longer gaming sessions. I don’t fault it too much for that — it’s a trade-off for portability, and there are other phone controllers that sacrifice portability for increased comfort. Still, it’s worth mentioning for anyone considering the Abxylute, especially if ergonomics are a concern.
In my testing, the M4 worked incredibly well. It paired easily with my Pixel 10 Pro, and I had no issues using it with games like Diablo Immortal as well as emulators. I found I had a tough time playing the likes of Immortal with the M4, just because it was tough to hold and hit all the buttons on the small form factor, but games with simpler control schemes were much more enjoyable for me.
My only other gripes with the M4 are things that should get ironed out in the final product. For example, the metal ring with my prototype unit arrived scratched to hell, but Abxylute told me it was because it was a prototype — the final product will use a different manufacturing process and won’t be scratched. I also noticed that the D-pad on my unit wasn’t super accurate, and in some cases would register different inputs. For example, if I press it hard enough going left, I might find my character in-game going up instead. A few tweaks on the D-pad would likely address that issue.
Overall, the Abxylute M4 is a really solid controller. I love the concept, and it’s the perfect size for on-the-go gaming. The Kickstarter project runs until Dec. 22, and if you back it, prices start at around CA$54 for one controller. If you’d prefer to wait until the crowdfunding campaign ends, Abxylute will have the M4 available for purchase directly through its website starting at US$49 (about C$67.37).
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