CES 2026: Hyperkin and Gamesir made a modular sport controller on your smartphone, pill and even your Swap

I’ve been utilizing the identical smartphone controller on my iPhone for years. That’s partly as a result of most choices are so related. Introduced at CES 2026, the X5 Alteron couldn’t be extra totally different. It’s a collaboration between GameSir (which loves uncommon peripheral ) and Hyperkin (retro-leaning ).

The X5 Alteron is seemingly the world’s first totally modular cellular video games controller. Whereas the headline function could be the stick/d-pad/button modules, the X5 Alteron has a really accommodating vice grip that works with units from iPhone and Android telephones by way of to the Swap collection and even iPads. There’s even Bluetooth if you wish to use it with a PC.

On the showfloor, Gamesir had a non-working prototype mannequin with swappable modules, capable of replicate most of your favourite layouts, together with uneven analogue sticks, a yellow stick that’s aspiring to be a Gamecube controller and even a six-button array for these eager to scratch that Sega Saturn itch. And if you need symmetrical sticks, you maniac, you possibly can have that too. Rumble motors will even be constructed into the controller.

The modules lie flush when magnetically connected to the controller, though on the early prototype, they have been tough to take away. It’s just about totally customizable: there can be adjustable stick heights and hot-swappable buttons. Hyperkin and Gamesir are promising GameCube and N64 modules, and even a trackpad module for FPS video games.

There’s up to date know-how too. The X5 Alteron could have capacitive sticks, not Corridor-Impact ones. This could supply way more precision: the know-how stays fairly uncommon in controllers. There are Corridor-Impact analog triggers on the rear of the controller. It’s early days, with no launch date or pricing set but, however I am intrigued — and I believe many cellular avid gamers are too.