The mobile market has exploded in recent years. Not only because of the arrival of games on mobile devices, such as Diablo Immortal, Call of Duty, Fortnite or the next Mighty Doom, but also because of the arrival of the game on mobile phones. With this booming industry, where Microsoft has xCloud, more and more companies are jumping in to sell various controllers designed for and play on mobile devices.
The latest example is the Turtle Beach Recon Cloud, the adaptation of the Turtle Beach controller for mobile devices. An already good controller that now comes to be compatible with mobile devices. And it does so with everything you need in the box, including a smartphone adapter and long-lasting battery, plus a good variety of compatible devices. And, as if that weren’t enough, we can also use it on Xbox Series X | S, Xbox One and PC with Windows 10 and 11.
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Before getting to the heart of the matter and telling you what we thought of this Turtle Beach controller, let’s move on to the technical characteristics:
- connectivity
- Cable con: USB-A connection for Xbox consoles or PC with Windows
- Wireless: Bluetooth® connection to Android devices and Windows PCs
- Wired connectivity
- Detachable 3m cable with USB Type-C connector (Type-A on console)
- Wireless connectivity
- Bluetooth® connection to devices running Android 8.0 and above and Windows PCs
- Audio input and output
- 3.5mm audio port for stereo audio output and microphone input
- Product weight (Kg): 0.306
- Product dimensions (mm): 155 x 63 x 110
- Compatibility: Compatible with Xbox Series X|S devices, Xbox One, Windows 10 and 11, Android 8.0 and later
Design, touch and material
In terms of design, the first thing that strikes us is that the Recon Blue is practically a carbon copy of the official Xbox controller. Not only in the layout of the buttons, which is the same (asymmetrical joystick, screenshot button in the center), but also in their ergonomics. Although it looks a bit bulkier, the reality is that it’s not that different. With a weight of 300 grams (not counting the mobile), it is a pleasant control in hand.
Part of this sensation is due to the honeycomb panel that it has in the grip lugs, which allows us to have a perfect grip. These are made of a kind of rubber or pseudo-rubber which is comfortable, does not slip and allows long gaming sessions. In addition, the rest of the controller is made of plastic which, without being the best on the market, leaves us with a pleasant and comfortable touch, feeling very good in the hands.
Returning to the buttons, as we mentioned, we find a layout that is familiar to us. In addition to the above we have a crosspiece with diagonals, the Xbox button to turn on the controller or the console. This, along with screenshots and the menu, is a little lower than what we’re used to. This is due to a new panel of buttons that Turtle Beach has included in the controller, which allow us to control different parameters, both of the controller and of the headphones that we use in conjunction with it. We’ll talk about it later, in Functionality, but the sensations are very good.
In addition to all these new buttons, the company has decided to add two new buttons to the back of the horns. These buttons are not assigned to startup functions, but are fully configurable. In a way, they look like the rear levers of the Xbox Elite Series, but being buttons to use. We have two, one on each side, placed in the central part of the horns. They have a good touch, a quality feel and are comfortable to use, being in a natural position where the fingers reach without any problem. A perfectly executed idea.
Finally, we should mention that among the upper triggers we find the anchoring system for the support of our mobile. This one is quite simple and is barely noticeable on the button, being a small round hole. The system is an anchor by means of a screw which is screwed so that it does not move. The stand itself has space and capacity for virtually any mobile on the market today.
Feature
The main feature of this Recon Blue is undoubtedly that it is a very versatile controller. Since getting it, it’s become my main controller for playing xCloud on mobile, as well as being a regular controller in my console sessions. A controller that has good configuration options, since you can assign different profiles for the use of the rear buttons, as well as the field of action of the right joystick. Of course, being able to configure them has a learning curve that can be a bit steep.
Especially since we do not have an Xbox or mobile application for this, but we must follow a combination of buttons that is well explained in the instruction manual. But of course, the first few times it takes more than a look or two to do it and, until we learn that, that’s a normal tendency. Otherwise, this Pro-Aim system is pretty good and put to good use.
Plus, everything is controlled with the new central button panel we mentioned earlier. It includes several additional buttons that allow us to control the volume of the audio and voice chat of the headsets that we have connected to the remote control. It’s all the more interesting that you can control everything, go up and down at any time from the controller, without having to let go or divert the action with one hand and without having to open the Xbox menu tab.
Connections
On the connectivity side, the Turtle Beach Recon Cloud arrives well served. We can connect it via Bluetooth to virtually any Android device. This includes smartphones, tablets or smart TVs with an Android-based operating system. With Apple devices, even though it connects via Bluetooth connectivity, the controller does not work.
In addition, the controller is fully compatible with PC, also via Bluetooth or wired, and with Xbox consoles. That is to say, it is fully functional with the Xbox Series X | S and all consoles of the Xbox One family. Of course there is a big but, or so it seems to us: it can only be used by connecting it via a USB cable. A 3M cable is included with the controller which works perfectly, but we think a controller with these features and with the price that matters, could also include support for wireless gaming on consoles.
Opinion and final evaluation
We have come to the end of this review of the Turtle Beach Recon Blue. Before that, we only have to comment on the price of the controller: $99.99. A price for which we have a rather good controller, with interesting options and a Bluetooth connection for mobile phones, which includes a support (which not all controllers designed for this use do) as well as a 3M cable for the recharge or use it on PC and Xbox consoles. In addition, it is available in two colors: one with a mixture of blue and orange, which is the one we tested, and another with black tones and silver details.
With this, only our opinion on the order remains. And that, the truth, is that it’s very good. After several intensive days of continuous use, the Turtle Beach Recon Blue has established itself as a good controller. As a console or PC controller, it’s a more than decent controller, with some unique features and the ability to have rear buttons that can be changed to our liking, as well as audio control on the controller itself. But as a controller for playing xCloud, it is without a doubt one of the best I have had the opportunity to try.
Especially since its ergonomics and layout are the same as those of Xbox controllers, so the feeling while playing is exactly the same. Additionally, it has virtually no latency or input lag and allows long gaming sessions thanks to its large battery, with more than 30 hours of charge. With all that, it’s a highly recommended controller that includes everything you need to be able to enjoy cloud gaming on your smartphone.
JGBassols
The Turtle Beach® Recon™ Cloud Hybrid Controller is designed for wireless gaming on Android 8.0+ devices and Windows PCs, and wired gaming on Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One and Windows PCs. New to Recon™ Cloud, play wirelessly via Bluetooth® connection for Android 8.0 and above devices and Windows 10 and 11 PCs.
The Turtle Beach® Recon™ Cloud Hybrid Controller is designed for wireless gaming on Android 8.0+ devices and Windows PCs, and wired gaming on Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One and Windows PCs. New to Recon™ Cloud, play wirelessly via Bluetooth® connection for Android 8.0 and above devices and Windows 10 and 11 PCs.
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Design, touch and material
80/100
Benefits
- Comfortable and interesting rear addition buttons.
- Great possibilities to modify the buttons to our liking.
- Design similar to the official Xbox controller.
Against
- For its use on the console it is necessary to connect it via USB, it cannot be used wirelessly.
- The vibration leaves something to be desired.
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