Best gamepad for Xiaomi Poco X3 Pro: selection and configuration

Owners of the Xiaomi Poco X3 Pro know that this smartphone has the ability to offer performance comparable to gaming consoles of the past. Snapdragon 860 processor and screen with refresh rate 120 Hz create the perfect platform for mobile gaming, but touch control often becomes a bottleneck, which is why the question of which gamepad to buy for Android smartphone, faces every enthusiast who wants to unleash the potential of their device.

The modern peripheral market offers dozens of options, from budget Chinese clones to professional Xbox and PlayStation-level controllers. Choosing the right accessory depends not only on the budget, but also on the type of games you plan to play and how you connect.

In this article, we will discuss in detail the compatibility of different types of joysticks with the MIUI and Android shell, consider the advantages of wired and wireless solutions, and give recommendations for configuration.

Controller selection criteria for Poco X3 Pro

When choosing a Xiaomi gamepad, it’s important to consider not only the brand, but also the technical features of your smartphone. Poco X3 Pro features a USB Type-C connector that supports data transfer, which opens up the possibility of using wired controllers without losing signal quality. However, wireless connection via Bluetooth 5.0 is often more convenient, especially if you plan to use a holder for your phone.

Support for XInput is key. Android games, especially PC ports and emulators, work best with this standard, as it provides correct button display and no input delays. Many cheap Chinese gamepads use the outdated DirectInput protocol or proprietary drivers, which can lead to incorrect operation in some applications.

⚠️ Warning: Before buying, be sure to check the list of supported games on the joystick manufacturer's website.Some budget models may not work in popular online shooters like the one on the market. PUBG Call of Duty Mobile or Mobile due to limitations of game developers.

Also worth paying attention to ergonomics and the presence of additional L2/R2 triggers. For racing simulators and first-person shooters, the presence of analog triggers is critical, as they allow smoothly adjusting speed or aiming, which can not be done with on-screen buttons.

Wired gamepads: reliability and no delays

If you play mainly at home and you want to have a minimum input lag, then a wired connection via USB Type-C is the best choice. Poco X3 Pro easily recognizes controllers that work in HID mode (Human Interface Device), allowing you to use them immediately after connecting, without installing additional drivers.

One of the main advantages of such models is that you don't have to charge the joystick itself, because it's powered by the smartphone battery. USB-The port can quickly drain the phone’s battery, so the presence of a Power Delivery or just a capacious 5160 mAh battery from Poco X3 Pro here plays your hand.

Popular models include the GameSir G3s and the 8BitDo SN30 Pro (wired) that provide stable connectivity and build quality. It is important to use a high-quality cable that can transmit data, not just charge the device, as cheap charging-only cables will not allow you to connect the gamepad.

• 🎮 GameSir G3s: Budget option with excellent ergonomics and support for wired connection Type-C.
• 🕹️ 8BitDo SN30 Pro: retro design, great sticks and full compatibility with Android.
• 🔌 Ipega 9028: telescopic gamepad that attaches directly to a smartphone, turning it into a portable console.

Using telescopic models such as the Ipega, it is possible to create a compact all-in-one system, which is especially convenient for games on the road or in limited spaces, although the ergonomics of such models are often inferior to full-size controllers.

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Use short USB Type-C cables (up to 1 meter) to connect wired gamepads. Long cables can create extra tension and interfere with holding the smartphone in your hands.

Wireless solutions: freedom of movement and Bluetooth

Wireless Bluetooth gamepads provide maximum comfort and eliminate wires that can get confused. Xiaomi Poco X3 Pro supports the current Bluetooth 5.0 standard, which guarantees stable connection and low power consumption. Connection usually occurs through the standard Android settings menu: Settings → Bluetooth → Device Search.

But wireless connectivity has its nuances: First, it's a signal delay that, while minimal in modern models, can be seen in competitive shooters; and second, the gamepad requires its own charging. Most modern models are equipped with batteries, which are enough for 10-20 play-off.

The Xbox Series X/S and Sony’s DualSense controllers deserve special attention. Starting with Android 11 (and in the newer versions of MIUI), the system natively supports these devices. This means you can just turn on the gamepad, find it in the Bluetooth list and start playing.

⚠️ Note: When you connect Xbox and PlayStation gamepads via Bluetooth, some system sounds or vibrations of the Android interface can be duplicated on the controller, which can be annoying.

For games that don’t support natively (like many mobile hits like Genshin Impact or Asphalt), wireless controllers often require keyboard mappers. This software puts virtual buttons on the screen controlled by the physical joystick keys.

Specialized controllers with triggers and cooling

For hardcore mobile gamers who spend tens of hours in PUBG Mobile or Call of Duty, there are specialized solutions, not just joysticks, but whole complexes that include physical triggers, additional buttons on the back panel and even active cooling.

Models like the Black Shark Gamepad 2 Pro or Flydigi Vader 2 offer unique features, connect via USB-C (for data and power), and use Bluetooth for additional settings, often with their own batteries and can even recharge a smartphone while playing.

The presence of additional programmable buttons (M1, M2, etc.) allows you to transfer important actions (recharging, squatting, using a first aid kit) to the physical keys without overlapping the view with your fingers, which gives a huge advantage in competitive disciplines.

Cooling is another important aspect. the Poco X3 Pro is known for its high performance, but under load it can heat up. Gamepads-handlers with fans help to remove heat from the back of the smartphone, preventing trottling (reducing the frequency of the processor) and falling FPS.

Setting up the gamepad on MIUI and Android

After purchasing a device, you often need an initial setup. In most cases, if a game supports gamepads (e.g. Minecraft, Asphalt 9, GTA: San Andreas), the connection is automatic. You just turn on Bluetooth, pair the device and start the game.

However, games without built-in support will require the use of mappers. MIUI has a built-in "Game Turbo" feature that sometimes allows you to configure control, but more often than not, third-party applications like Octopus or Panda Gamepad Pro are more effective.

The process of tuning the mapper is as follows:

1. Launch the mapper app.

2. Add the game to the list of mapper apps.

3. Run the game through the mupper.

4. Adjust the location of virtual buttons on the screen by tying them to the physical buttons of the gamepad.

It is important to note that the use of mappers in online games can be regarded by developers as cheating and lead to account locking.Use such methods with caution and only in offline modes or games where the rules allow.

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Native support for Android gamepads only works in games whose developers have implemented the appropriate API. For all other cases, third-party mappers running on top of the interface will be required.

Compatibility problems and their solution

Even with a device as powerful as Poco. X3 Pro, users may run into problems. There's a lot of times when the gamepad is plugged in, but the game doesn't respond to the taps, and this may be because the game is waiting for touchscreen input, not for touchscreen input. HID-device.

Another common problem is the incorrect definition of buttons, for example, instead of "A" presses "B". This is solved by flashing the gamepad through the manufacturer's proprietary application or switching the mode (Switch mode / Android mode / iOS mode), which is usually activated by a combination of buttons.

If you encounter audio delay or video desynchronization when using a Bluetooth gamepad, try turning off the Absolute Volume option in the developer menu in Bluetooth settings. To log into the developer menu, you need to click on the build number 7 times in Settings → About phone.

⚠️ Attention: Update firmware of the Poco smartphone X3 Pro can reset the Bluetooth stack settings. MIUI The gamepad stopped working correctly, try to remove the device from the list of conjugated and connect again.

FAQ: Frequently Asked Questions

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To check all buttons and sticks immediately after purchase, use the online gamepad testing services in the Chrome browser on your smartphone, which will help to identify the marriage before the expiration of the return in the store.