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Best gaming controller for Pixel 9 Pro Fold Geeking Out 2025
The Pixel 9 Pro Fold is, in my well-tested opinion, the best foldable on the market right now.
It's just a few millimeters thicker than the Pixel 9 Pro (removing one of the top complaints of foldables being too thick).
Geeking Out Shop
GameSir G8 Plus
Versatile Mobile Controller
The GameSir G8 Plus is more configurable than your average controller (you can physically pop out and move around the buttons and digitally remap buttons, too) and it's form factor is very forgiving for a variety of phone shapes and styles. After extensive testing, it's our top pick for gaming on the Pixel 9 Pro Fold.
Geeking Out Shop
ELO Vagabond
E-Sports Gaming
From the moment you open the box, to the second you're thumbs hit the joysticks, you can see and feel the premium experience with the ELO Vagabond. This company's main product is their mobile controller, and that focus has allowed them to obsess over every small detail for an elite gaming experience. With hall effect joysticks and triggers and customizable buttons, this is premium portable controller that creates an excellent gaming experience on the outer screen of the Pixel 9 Pro Fold.
Lower Cost
8BitDo mobile controller
Geeking Out Shop
8BitDo has been making excellent third-party accessories for consoles for years. They're generally good quality accessories that are a bit cheaper than the firstparty stuff. This holds true for their 2024 mobile controller. It's a bit more basic than the GameSir G8 Plus, but still comporable. The biggest difference will be a lower price in exchange for fewer features and customizability. However, if you're just looking for something simple to add physical buttons and controls that will also fit your Pixel 9 Pro Fold in either orientation, this is a good choice. It comes in black or white.
Only for eternal screen
Razer Kishi Ultra
Geeking Out Shop
For an option that uses just the external screen on your Pixel 9 Pro Fold, the Razer Kishi is excellent. The software is fantastic (our favourite for organizing your game library of all the devices we tested). It securely holds the Pixel 9 Pro Fold and feels solid in your hands. We've done a deep dive into all the reasons why the Kishi Ultra is a great choice as an iPad Mini mobile controller and most of those points are applicable to the Pixel 9 Pro fold.
It makes thoughtful photography features like Made You Look which uses the outer screen to capture attention of toddlers and pets for photos.
And with the powerful Google Tensor G4 processor and 120hz refresh rate on both the inner and outer display, this device is an amazing gadget for gaming on the go!
Because of the foldable's transforming shape, choosing the right controller for gaming on the Pixel 9 Pro Fold requires thoughtful consideration.
Fortunately, we've tried about a dozen mobile phone controllers over the past year or so, and are able to provide first-hand knowledge to recommend the best controller for the Pixel 9 Pro Fold.
Best Overall: GameSir G8 Plus
After much consideration, our team ultimately selected the GameSir G8 Plus as our top choice for the Pixel 9 Pro Fold.
In our full review of this controller, you can see that it's amazing for certain devices. But absolutely the wrong choice for others.
When it comes to the Pixel 9 Pro Fold, the lack of a direct USB C connection within the cradle of the controller is actually an asset. This allows you to position the Pixel 9 Pro Fold just right for your taste. The latency (delay between when a button is pushed and the action happens on screen) is a non-issue even though you're connecting via Bluetooth.
The price point may feel high compared to alternatives, but it's right on the mark for a premium controller.
And of course if you decide to play with the outer display rather than inner (some games are better to have the large 8-inch screen, but others are optimized for the aspect ratio of the outer screen) you'll have no issues using this controller with either form factor.
Bonus: If you also happen to be a Switch user then you'll get further value out of this controller because it is the BEST third party controller on the market for the Switch.
The software experience with GameSir is not good. But it's equally possible you'll never use their app to attempt to organize your game library and just launch all your titles directly from your phone.
Pros:
- Perfect design for a foldable
- Phsically and digtially customizable
Cons:
- Software is terrible
- Pricey (but worth it)
Geeking Out Shop
GameSir G8 Plus
Versatile Mobile Controller
The GameSir G8 Plus is more configurable than your average controller (you can physically pop out and move around the buttons and digitally remap buttons, too) and it's form factor is very forgiving for a variety of phone shapes and styles. After extensive testing, it's our top pick for gaming on the Pixel 9 Pro Fold.
When you first get the Pixel 9 Pro and start gaming you'll likely be very excited at the propsect of big screen mobile gaming. Well, that illusion gets somewhat shattered when you realize that most of the "real" games just aren't optimized for a large square-ish display.
Overall the image may be bigger, but you'll end up with black bars at the top and bottom, which might make gaming with your Pixel 9 Pro Fold's front screen a better experience.
Best controller while folded ELO Vagabond
If you're on board with casual gaming using touch controls on the inner display and saving AAA titles for the outer screen, then the ELO Vagabond is a high quality option for the Pixel 9 Pro Fold.
Pros:
- Hall effect joysticks (no drift)
- Comfortable grip
Cons:
- Mediocre software experience
- Only one style/finish
The brand may not be as well known as competitors like Backbone or Razer, but these guys have done their homework to create an amazing mobile gaming controller.
Because this one uses a USB C connection, we only recommend it for the Pixel 9 Pro Fold if you're exculsively gaming on the outer screen.
Your Pixel connects via the USB C input on the interior of the controller's grips. Unlike the Backbone One or Razer Kishi, the USB C input flexes to make it easier to line up with your phone as you close it in place.
This is a great mobile controller, the purple LED accents look slick, and overall we think this is an under-the-radar product that more people need to experience.
Geeking Out Shop
ELO Vagabond
E-Sports Gaming
From the moment you open the box, to the second you're thumbs hit the joysticks, you can see and feel the premium experience with the ELO Vagabond. This company's main product is their mobile controller, and that focus has allowed them to obsess over every small detail for an elite gaming experience. With hall effect joysticks and triggers and customizable buttons, this is premium portable controller that creates an excellent gaming experience on the outer screen of the Pixel 9 Pro Fold.
Additional gaming controllers For Pixel 9 Pro Fold
We've called a best overall option that allows you to enjoy gaming with a controller using either your Pixel 9 Pro Fold's inside or outside screen. Our backup pick is based on just using the controller with the exterior display on the Pixel 9 Pro Fold.
Here are some other options we've also considered.
Lower Cost
8BitDo mobile controller
Geeking Out Shop
8BitDo has been making excellent third-party accessories for consoles for years. They're generally good quality accessories that are a bit cheaper than the firstparty stuff. This holds true for their 2024 mobile controller. It's a bit more basic than the GameSir G8 Plus, but still comporable. The biggest difference will be a lower price in exchange for fewer features and customizability. However, if you're just looking for something simple to add physical buttons and controls that will also fit your Pixel 9 Pro Fold in either orientation, this is a good choice. It comes in black or white.
Only for eternal screen
Razer Kishi Ultra
Geeking Out Shop
For an option that uses just the external screen on your Pixel 9 Pro Fold, the Razer Kishi is excellent. The software is fantastic (our favourite for organizing your game library of all the devices we tested). It securely holds the Pixel 9 Pro Fold and feels solid in your hands. We've done a deep dive into all the reasons why the Kishi Ultra is a great choice as an iPad Mini mobile controller and most of those points are applicable to the Pixel 9 Pro fold.
One additional note on pairing the Pixel 9 Pro Fold with the Razer Kishi Ultra. Maybe you're reading this article and thinking "Well, I'm sure I could make the Fold fit into the Kishi, even if this guy says just to use the outer screen."
Yes, you could, but it does look a little ridiculous. And overall feels like something that would result in damage to the controller or your expensive foldable.
Does the Backbone One work with Pixel 9 Pro Fold?
This is a little PSA, because when it comes to gaming on mobile, Backbone is one of the best known brands in the space. Many people would default to choosing the Backbone One mobile controller for any USB C device.
We have tested this controller with the Pixel 9 Pro Fold and it just doesn't work. While this controller remains a top pick for gaming on iPhone the fit is just wrong for the Pixel 9 Pro Fold.
When folded open, the phone hangs too low for comfort or a secure fit. When folded, even without a case, the Pixel 9 Pro Fold just doesn't sit right in the back or in the front of the Backbone One.
The Backbone One is an excellent mobile phone controller, just not for the Pixel 9 Pro Fold.
Bottom line
The Pixel 9 Pro fold is an excellent phone. We've written extensively about the various accessories you can add to unlock this device's full potential. That includes having an amazing gaming experience. Hopefully this guide has provided some helpful advice when it comes to selecting the perfect controller.
If you have further questions (or just like seeing cool tech posts) give me a follow on Instagram and reach out any time!
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