Our ABXYLUTE M4 was sent to us free of charge by ABXYLUTE, with no brief on the content; this origin may have influenced our appreciation. We used it for many days in a range of situations.

It is a small, very light, magnetic plastic square (MagSafe mount; a magnetic ring is supplied for other phones) that slips into a pocket or a case. Its buttons are very small, in a Nintendo layout, responsive and discreet. The tiny joysticks, flat with very short travel, are not precise (marked dead zone) and have no click: L3 and R3 are simulated with the combinations M + minus and M + plus, which we find impractical. The L1/R1 and L2/R2 triggers are stacked on top of each other, so we pressed L1 by mistake when aiming in Red Dead Redemption; thumbs bump together for a quarter-circle. We therefore found the controller better suited to retro gaming and 2D platformers, especially since a key combination (M + minus + L) swaps stick and D-pad. It works over Bluetooth with Switch, Xbox and PlayStation modes, has a battery charged over USB-C with four level LEDs, and can be set on a table as a stand. A two-variant turbo mode is available.

Our conclusion is mixed: on its own it is not remarkable, with build that felt light and limited comfort. But because it fits in a pocket, it is the controller we most often have on us and take out for short sessions, mainly on a smartphone. For hours of play we prefer a telescopic controller like the S9. Price around €47 on the official site.

Watch the video test