Key Facts
- ✓ The X5 Alteron is a collaboration between Hyperkin and GameSir.
- ✓ It is compatible with iPhone, Android, Switch, and PC.
- ✓ The controller features magnetic, swappable stick and button modules.
- ✓ It uses capacitive sticks and Hall-Effect analog triggers.
Quick Summary
Hyperkin and GameSir have announced the X5 Alteron, a fully modular mobile gaming controller revealed at CES 2026. The device features a unique vice grip design compatible with a wide range of hardware, including iPhone, Android phones, iPads, and the Nintendo Switch series. It also supports Bluetooth connectivity for PC use.
The core innovation lies in its swappable magnetic modules, which allow users to replicate various layouts, such as asymmetric sticks, a GameCube-style yellow stick, or a six-button Sega Saturn array. The controller includes built-in rumble motors and offers adjustable stick heights. While the X5 Alteron utilizes capacitive sticks for precision, it features Hall-Effect analog triggers. Currently, there is no set release date or pricing information available.
Design and Compatibility
The X5 Alteron represents a significant shift in mobile gaming peripherals, described as the world's first fully modular mobile games controller. The device was developed through a collaboration between GameSir, known for unusual peripheral designs, and Hyperkin, a manufacturer focused on retro-style controllers.
The controller features a vice grip design that accommodates various devices. Compatibility extends beyond smartphones to include:
This broad compatibility allows gamers to use a single controller across multiple platforms, addressing the similarity found in current market options.
Modular Features 🎮
The headline feature of the X5 Alteron is its ability to swap stick, d-pad, and button modules. These components attach magnetically and lie flush with the controller body. However, early prototypes showed that removing the modules required some effort.
Users can customize the controller to replicate specific historical layouts. Demonstrations showed the ability to create:
- Asymmetric analogue sticks
- A yellow stick emulating a GameCube controller
- A six-button array for a Sega Saturn feel
- Symmetrical stick layouts
Further customization includes adjustable stick heights and hot-swappable buttons. The companies have also promised future modules, including specific ones for GameCube and N64 games, as well as a trackpad module designed for FPS titles.
Technical Specifications
The controller incorporates modern technology to enhance gameplay precision. The X5 Alteron utilizes capacitive sticks rather than Hall-Effect sensors. The use of capacitive technology is intended to provide greater precision, a feature that remains rare in standard controllers.
Additionally, the device features Hall-Effect analog triggers located on the rear. Rumble motors are also built into the unit to provide haptic feedback during gameplay. These specifications suggest a focus on high-performance input for mobile gaming.
Availability and Future Outlook
As of the announcement at CES 2026, the X5 Alteron remains in the prototype phase. The development teams have not yet established a specific release date or set pricing for the consumer market.
The project is currently generating interest among mobile gaming enthusiasts looking for versatile hardware. The ability to customize form factors and utilize capacitive stick technology positions the device as a potential standout in the peripheral market once it becomes available for purchase.
