The agony of choice increases. More and more Android controllers are coming onto the market and shortly after their Recon Cloud Controller, where you put your smartphone on top of the controller using the holder, Turtle Beach delivered the Atom Controller. It’s more in line with other Android controllers available on the market by placing the smartphone in the middle and ending up with something design-wise that goes in the direction of the Nintendo Switch. How do you want to stand out from the competition? And is that worth the $99.99 Turtle Beach wants for it?
Box & Accessories: The packaging of the Atom Controller is relatively small and inconspicuous. At first glance, you don’t get the impression that you’re getting a controller à la Razer Kishi. You can read more about what exactly is behind it in a moment. In addition to the controller itself and a one-meter-long USB cable, you will find a small carrying case for the Atom in the packaging, which is commendably made mostly of cardboard.
Processing: As already indicated, the Atom controller differs from other mobile controllers in a similar way. With comparable controllers you have a middle part that connects both halves of the controller together. The Atom Controller does without that, similar to the Joy-Cons of the Switch you have two loose controller halves here.
You can snap them together magnetically, which of course puts the Atom Controller a step ahead of the others when it comes to mobility. When assembled, it really doesn’t take up much space. Although this design is not without problems. That has to do with the fact that I’ve always had a bit of a queasy feeling about whether my smartphone is sitting securely between these two halves of the controller or not.
Each half has a mount designed for smartphones that are 67 to 92mm wide. If your device falls within this range, it generally fits well, although a slight slipping is possible here and there. On the sides and on the back, your smartphone is also cushioned with rubber, although this is not the case on the top and bottom.
In any case, you should avoid jerky movements even more here, for example if something annoys you while playing. There was always a bit of fear involved, and overall I acted more cautiously with it than with other devices with a bridge section in the middle. Everything feels subtly more unstable, although that’s not a problem if you keep still.
Overall, the processing quality is successful. The Atom Controller feels good in the hands and feels comfortable. However, the surfaces are smooth and there are no textured grips, so it can be slippery. One thing I noticed negatively: When I put my old S8 in the middle, the volume up button is awkwardly on the bracket or on the bottom side of the controller. Depending on how you hold the device, the holder or the controller presses the volume button and whoops, you’ve accidentally turned it up to the maximum. This has never happened to me with other controllers for mobile gaming (also with this device).
Keys and typing feel: Basically, the Atom Controller is equipped with all standard buttons. Sticks and directional pad are normal size, the buttons are a tad smaller than on the Xbox controller, for example. A dedicated screenshot button for use with Xbox Series X/S is missing.
In terms of quality, Turtle Beach relies on rubber domes and at least the buttons and sticks leave a good feeling overall when playing. I would have liked a little more freedom of movement and resistance for the triggers, but what bothers me about the shoulder buttons is that they sound like a mouse button clicking – similar to the Razer Kishi V2. A bit annoying all the time.
The directional pad selection of the Atom Controller is also not the yellow of the egg. Anyone who remembers the Xbox 360 controller D-Pad knows how bad that can be. The Atom controller doesn’t quite move at this level, but it’s not much better either. Let’s put it this way: For around 100 euros I would have expected more, for example more in the direction of the control pad of the current Xbox controller.
Features & special functions: The Atom Controller uses Bluetooth to connect to your smartphone. You also cannot charge your smartphone while using it with the controller. In order to be able to use it, you have to pair both halves of the controller with the device, and one battery charge is then sufficient for around 20 hours of gaming.
To charge the controller, you have to plug both halves together, otherwise only the left side will be charged. A dedicated USB port on the right is missing. If the battery is empty, your gaming session is over for the time being. The Atom controller also doesn’t have any additional buttons, around two on the back like on the PowerA Moga XP7-Plus. You have to get along with the standard keys.
You can buy the Turtle Beach Atom Controller at Amazon.de and directly at Turtle Beach.
Turtle Beach Atom Controller – Conclusion
Ultimately, the unique design of the Atom Controller stands out compared to the competition. But that alone is no reason to choose this device. This is otherwise relatively standard and solid. Buttons and sticks are good, I’m not quite as happy with the directional pad, triggers and shoulder buttons. It all works as it’s supposed to, but the lack of a middle part sometimes makes me think twice about how I’m moving now and whether I’d rather pull myself together than fret when things aren’t going well during gaming. Your smartphone is definitely more restless in the middle than comparable devices, it always seems like an insecurity factor.
Turtle Beach Atom Controllers – Pros and Cons
Per:
- Good buttons and sticks
- Unique, compact design
Cons:
- The smartphone rests restlessly between the two halves of the controller, there is too much movement
- Triggers, shoulder acts and D-Pad could be better
- Both controller halves can only be charged when they are plugged together
- Depending on the smartphone, the volume is increased by moving the holder
- No additional buttons on the back
Manufacturer: turtle beach Compatible with: Android (minimum Android 8.0 with Bluetooth 4.2) – release: 11/14/2022 – Price (RRP): €99.99
