Wonderful Controller With Innovative Charging Base

I have reviewed several GameSir controllers at this time, and while they share many commonalities, each model brings its unique style to the table in both aesthetics and functionality. GameSir’s latest G7 Pro is similar, but it brings more innovation. The G7 Pro is GameSir’s flagship controller, which succeeds the G7 SE and is kinda competitive to the Tarantula Pro, which was one of the most overwhelming controllers I have ever used.

Nonetheless, the G7 Pro simplifies that and still manages to bring a lot to the table, but it’s important to consider all its rivals to see if it is really worth its price tag of $79. The competition in the mid-range price segment is fierce, and we have a lot of controllers that promise to bring all that a gamer needs. We will analyze all that the G7 Pro brings to the table and deliver our verdict at the end on whether it should be your go-to controller for Xbox or PC.

Box and Contents

GameSir G7 Pro brings a few accessories to the table, including a cable, a charging station, a 2.4 GHz adapter, and two additional D-Pads. As far as I know, it’s the only GameSir controller to bring additional swappable D-pads, giving you a choice to go for whichever option you like. A manual is also included but you won’t need it.

Technical Specifications

• Working Platform: Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, PC, Android, Steam
• Connection: Wired for Xbox; 2.4G & Wired for PC; Bluetooth for Android
• Sticks: GameSir Mag-Res™ TMR sticks
• Triggers: Hall Effect analog triggers with Micro Switch trigger stops
• Buttons: Optical Micro Switch ABXY, Mechanical Micro Switch D-pad
• Rumble Motors: 4
• Extra Buttons: 4 (R4/L4 back button and R5/L5 mini bumper)
• Back Button Latches: Yes
• 3.5mm Audio Jack: Yes, supported via both wired & 2.4G wireless
• Gyroscope: Yes (PC only)
• Battery: 1200mAh
• Charging Station: Included
• Software: GameSir Nexus
• Faceplate: Three-part magnetic swappable. * Compatible with the previous G7 series faceplates, but other G7 series controllers are not compatible with the G7 Pro’s faceplate.
• Included Accessories: Charging Station*1, Receiver*1, D-pad*2, Cable Retainer*1, 3m Type-C Cable*1
• Product Size: 152*103*58mm/5.98*4.06*2.28in
• Net Weight: 272g/0.60lbs
• Package Size: 177*173*94mm / 6.97*6.81*3.70in
• Gross Weight: 782g / 1.72lbs
• Carton Size: (20pcs/carton): 490*375*380mm / 19.29*14.76*14.96in
• Carton Weight: (20pcs/carton): 17.41kg / 38.39lbs

The GameSir G7 Pro brings some decent upgrades over the G7 SE, apart from the slight differences in appearance. Both are technically Xbox controllers, but the G7 Pro has more advantages due to its compatibility with Android devices. Not only that, but it also brings support for motion control for PC, which is absent from the G7 SE.

The biggest upgrade is the wireless connectivity, which is the go-to option if you want to play from a distance, but there are more deal-breaker differences, which we will talk about in the next section. However, keep in mind it may not be ideal to compare two differently priced controllers since the G7 SE right now costs $45, and the G7 Pro almost doubles its price to $80.

A Close Look at the Features and Controls

GameSir is targeting Xbox users with the G7 Pro, which has a dedicated Xbox home button at the top. Of course, it works with a PC as good as others. The G7 Pro basically brings a lot of features you see on the Tarantula Pro, including the GameSir Mag-Res TMR Sticks and six-axis gyroscope, which enables motion control in supported games on PC, but this doesn’t work on any other platform.

G7 Pro’s ergonomics are great. Not only will you find the textured grip at the back, but also on the front, making it ideal for longer sessions. The textured grip on the front was missing on the Tarantula Pro, but it really makes a difference since your thumb muscles rest on it. The controller has a lot of buttons at both the front and the back, but it also has additional buttons at the top, which we will talk about soon.

As for the face buttons, you get the ABXY layout similar to an Xbox controller, and as I have got a white version, the font color of the buttons is also white, which is the same problem as the Tarantula Pro except that the latter has RGB lighting built-in. The G7 Pro doesn’t have any RGB lighting, which makes it almost impossible to see the button texts in the dark. If you are already familiar with the Xbox controller layout, it shouldn’t be a problem, but for beginners, it may pose some difficulty. As for the switches, these buttons use the optical micro switch, which offers a pleasant clicky feel. I love these and prefer them over the mushy buttons

The D-Pad also brings a clicky feel, but has mechanical micro switches. These require even lighter force than the face buttons, and the best part is that you can change the default D-Pad, which is a circle with small dots on each side. There are two additional D-Pads provided inside the box, offering different styles to suit your needs. Apart from the D-Pad and ABXY, we have some basic micro buttons in the middle, and a Macro button for mapping at the bottom.

The joysticks are almost identical to the Tarantula Pro, offering the same texture, Mag-Res TMR technology, and feel. I found these somewhat stiffer than the Tarantula Pro, but it’s not very noticeable unless you switch controllers and compare them side by side. Remember that the TMR joysticks are noticeably better at accuracy and sensitivity than Hall Effect sticks. They also offer a quick response time and offer a near-zero drift, which is excellent for long life.

Moving on to the top, we have the clicky bumpers, both offering a textured surface on a shiny silverish exterior. Then we have two additional mini bumpers beside them, which is rare to see on controllers. Thankfully, even though they are positioned very close to the main bumpers, I had no problem using them despite their small size, and there are very low chances of accidental presses.

Then we have the analog triggers, which offer a Hall Effect mechanism for quick and controlled actuation. These do pretty well in various instances, like racing games, or help you control the movement of your character in various games. The micro-switches are provided at the back, which can convert the analog mode to hair trigger mode. This reduces the travel distance significantly, allowing faster actuation when needed, making them perfect for FPS games.

We also have two additional buttons a the back. Those are large and positioned well, ideal for games where you would require additional functions onboard. But you can disable those through micro-switches if you fear accidental inputs. That sums up the control system of the G7 Pro, but there is a modularity aspect as well.

The face cover used on the G7 Pro is magnetic, and you can remove it without any tool effortlessly. You can swap it with any magnetic face of your choice, but these cost 10 bucks each. GameSir has several of those in their store, but I like the default one more. Keep in mind that the additional D-Pads you get with the controller can only be changed once you remove the face cover, which exposes the PCB as well, revealing all the components through a transparent body.

Charging Station, Connectivity, and App Support

G7 Pro’s Charging station is innovative and versatile. It’s not a regular charging station like the one you get with Cyclone 2, but it makes a completely perfect charging and connectivity station for the controller. It is bigger and sturdier compared to even the Tarantula Pro charging station, leaving no chances for your controller to fall from it. The platform is big enough to give enough room for your controller to sit properly while also charging it through the four pins.

At the base, you will find a compartment, which hosts a dedicated USB hub that lets you connect the 2.4 GHz stick for wireless connectivity, essentially eliminating any need to add it directly to your computer, but you will have to connect the charging station to the device using the Type-C to A cable. This is still a better way of managing connectivity and charging since your controller will be charged after you are done with gaming, once you put it back on the charging station.

The charging station offers a Smart Auto Start-Stop functionality, which automatically stops charging your controller once it is fully charged. So, you can let your controller rest on the station for as long as you want it to. As far as connectivity is concerned, the tri-mode connectivity it offers is what a lot of budget and mid-range controllers are offering these days. It’s excellent the way GameSir has implemented with G7 Pro but for Android systems, you will have to use Bluetooth.

In case your battery goes down to zero in wireless gaming, you can use the cable to connect to your device, and it’s quite long, measuring roughly three metres. There is a dedicated cable retainer attached to the controller’s USB port. It looked odd at first, but it helps maintain a wobble-free connection, so that your controller can stay connected at all times. However, you can remove it by pulling it towards the other end.

G7 Pro also brings a dedicated 3.5mm headphone jack at the bottom, which you won’t find on most budget controllers, and a microphone button to mute/unmute it. I don’t know why someone would want to connect a wired headphone to a wireless controller, but it’s just for convenience.

GameSir G7 Pro is fully supported in GameSir Nexus software, which is an excellent way to manage and tweak your controls. Not every GameSir controller gets app support, but since it’s the most expensive one from the company, there is no way it could launch without a fully functional app. You can remap your buttons, tweak the custom curves for your joysticks, and more through this app, which I have extensively talked about in the Gamesir Cyclone 2 review.

The Verdict

GameSir G7 Pro delivers almost everything and while it doesn’t compete with high-end gaming controllers, it’s very close to them when it comes to the core features. Modularity is low, and there is no RGB lighting, but it focuses more on offering a pleasant gaming experience than flashy lights. G7 Pro’s innovative charging station and small additions like a cable retailer on the controller, additional bumpers, and swappable D-Pad make it stand out among other GameSir’s offerings.

There are still a few things missing, which GameSir delivered on controllers like Tarantula Pro, like RGB lighting, swappable ABXY layout, and wider compatibility, but the G7 Pro does excel in a few areas, like better modularity, innovative connectivity and charging, more buttons, and connectivity, which includes a dedicated 3.5mm headphone jack. All in all, for $79, it’s a wonderful controller for Xbox devices, PCs, and Android phones, and it is one of the best sweet-spot controllers for under $100.

8.8

WCCFTECH RATING