GameSir is one of the most renowned companies in the gaming peripherals market, especially when it comes to making controllers for mobile devices. Indeed, they are well known for creating flagship-level models whilst managing to keep them at a great budget for those looking for a more value-oriented package. The GameSir T4 Cyclone, along with the GameSir T4 Cyclone Pro, is one of their latest controllers, and here we get into the nitty gritty with our review to let you know if you should get your hands on it.
Table of Contents
Design and Build Quality
Our review product of the GameSir T4 Cyclone came very securely packaged so there are no worries about damage in transit. It also came with a few nice extras such as a USB-C cable for those who prefer wired gaming, an e-manual, and some GameSir stickers. The T4 Cyclone also comes with a warranty card that you can scan and apply for to cover any unexpected problems.
In terms of design, the GameSir T4 Cyclone will be familiar to users of the Nintendo Switch, with button layout and design very reminiscent of the well-loved handheld device. It is white in color, or ‘Daybreak’ as named by GameSir, and has every button you can expect in a Switch controller.
However, as a lightweight controller, the T4 Cyclone may not be for those gamers who prefer controllers on the heavier side. Despite this, the lightness of it does mean it is extremely portable and can be easily taken anywhere with you. Some other features of the GameSir T4 Cyclone include the following:
- Hall Effect sensing sticks with anti-drift and ultra-longevity
- Precision-tuned Hall Effect analog triggers
- Motion control for immersive gameplay
- Dual distinct rumble motors
- Pair button to speed up the pairing process
- Reset button
- Anti-slip laser-textured grips
- Dedicated ‘M’ button for multi-function and adjustments
- Two macro back buttons, L4 and R4, that can be assigned different actions
- Button mapping, vibration, and other customizations via the GameSir app
Drawbacks
Every peripheral that boasts mighty features comes with a few drawbacks. In this case, there are two main downsides that you should be aware of before purchasing. Firstly, the absence of an included phone holder in the T4 Cyclone is a little unsatisfying as a primarily mobile gamer. This means if you wish to use it with your mobile, then you either need to prop your device up or buy a clip separately.
The second downside is that the button layout seems to change when switching the controller between devices. In simple terms, the A & B and X & Y buttons get swapped when you connect it to devices other than Switch. Though this is an appreciable attempt made by GameSir to accommodate both the Switch and Xbox layout in a single controller, it can get confusing for some people as the chances of misclicking are high.
Connectivity and Compatibility
Checking the range and connectivity of a controller is extremely important before purchasing one. Bluetooth controllers, in particular, can cause some latency issues. However, to overcome latency concerns, the GameSir T4 Cyclone can be connected either via Bluetooth or with a wired USB-C cable. It can also be connected via WiFi when a USB dongle is used.
GameSir has not specified any information pertaining to low-latency gaming on Bluetooth. However, upon testing, we can safely say that the T4 Cyclone had a negligible amount of latency which was barely noticed during intensive game time.
Connecting the controller to our laptop via the USB-C was super straightforward. However, connecting via Bluetooth on the mobile was a little more complicated. You must follow the instructions given in the GameSir app to successfully pair your device and to map buttons. This also requires giving certain permissions, enabling developer options, USB, and Wireless debugging.
Overall, the GameSir T4 Cyclone is amongst the best on the market if you are looking for an all-in-one controller at a good budget. It is compatible with Switch, PC, Android, and iOS giving you plenty of options with how to use it. We faced no issues while connecting it to our phone and laptop and experienced comfortable and smooth gameplay. The Power button in the T4 Cyclone glows in blue when connected to iOS devices, green for Windows (wired cable or wireless dongle), red for Switch, and yellow for Android devices.
Gameplay
Gaming is our favorite part of testing controllers and we tested the GameSir T4 on our laptop by playing both Hitman 3 and Fortnite, and it was a decent experience. However, due to the button swap, we did end up with a few confusing misclicks on the menu screen but if you have played on an Xbox or PlayStation before, this issue shouldn’t persist for long.
Speaking of the buttons, the ABXY buttons all gave good mechanical feedback and performed their job perfectly. The Hall Effect joystick had a unique feel to it, similar to that of an Xbox One controller. Lastly, the 2 macro back buttons are the game changers that set the T4 Cyclone apart, as you can assign any action to them to give you an edge over others while gaming.
Conclusion
The GameSir T4 Cyclone has undoubtedly exceeded our expectations for a controller in its price range. If you are looking for an affordable and lightweight controller with more than sufficient features to game across devices, don’t bother looking beyond the GameSir T4 Cyclone. Indeed, its compatibility across different platforms only gives you another reason to pick it up right away.
However, if you are looking for a controller with more features, or find the Switch layout not suitable to you as a non-Switch user, do check out the GameSir T4 Cyclone Pro as it is designed to look familiar to the Xbox layout and also boasts some exciting features at a slightly higher price. Alternatively, if you are looking for a premium option, especially for mobile, check out our review of the GameSir X2 Pro.
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