Abxylute M4 is one of the smartest phone controllers I’ve used

lThere are plenty of smartphone controllers out there, but few are as cool as Abxylute's amazing M4 controller.

The Abxylute M4 is a MagSafe compatible phone controller that fits perfectly in your pocket and is surprisingly great for gaming. I tested the prototype M4 controller that Abxylute sent me, and it quickly became one of my favorite phone accessories (and gave me a reason to actually use MagSafe Pixelsnap Pixel 10 Pro features).

M4 controller now on Kickstarter There are only a few days left before the campaign starts. While I wouldn't normally write about Kickstarter, the product here is good enough to justify my interest, and it has already surpassed its goal, with over $356,000 CAD in support as of this writing.

The controller consists of two main parts. First, this metal ring is a MagSafe component that attaches magnetically to compatible phones and has a small tab that connects to the controller magnetically. But the ring doesn't just serve as a magnetic bridge between the phone and the controller—it also comes with a kickstand, which is super convenient for those who want to rest their phone on a surface while gaming.

The other main part is the controller itself. It connects via Bluetooth to your phone. It features 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 colorful buttons, and versions are in the works with translucent plastic casing for that classic Game Boy look.

While the M4 controller is great in terms of looks, it is also extremely portable. The compact size and MagSafe compatibility make it easy to carry around when attached to your phone, but if you don't like the extra bulk, you can also easily remove the controller and/or metal ring when not in use.

However, the compact size also has disadvantages, namely ergonomics. The M4 isn't the most comfortable controller, especially during long gaming sessions. I don't blame it too much for this – it's a trade-off for portability, and there are other phone controllers that sacrifice portability for increased comfort. However, it's worth mentioning to anyone considering the Abxylute, especially if ergonomics are a concern.

In my testing, the M4 performed incredibly well. It paired easily with my Pixel 10 Pro and I had no issues using it in games like Diablo the Immortal as well as emulators. I found that I had a hard time playing games like Immortal with the M4 simply because the small form factor made it difficult to hold and press all the buttons, but I found games with simpler control schemes much more enjoyable.

My only gripes with the M4 are things that need to be ironed out in the final product. For example, the metal ring with my prototype arrived scratched as hell, but Abxylute told me that was because it was a prototype – the final product would use a different manufacturing process and wouldn't be scratched. I also noticed that the D-pad on my device is not very accurate and in some cases registers different input signals. For example, if I press it far enough to the left, I may find my character in the game rises up instead. A few tweaks to the D-pad will probably solve this problem.

Overall, the Abxylute M4 is a really solid controller. I love the concept and it's the perfect size for gaming on the go. The Kickstarter project will run until December 22.and if you back it, prices start at around $54 CAD per controller. If you'd rather wait until the crowdfunding campaign ends, Abxylute will offer the M4 for purchase. directly through your website from $49 USD (about $67.37 CAD).