If you haven’t been keeping up, 8BitDo has recently passed their 13th anniversary, and have covered controllers for a range of different uses. From 2.4GHz controllers for your classic consoles to modern all encompassing PC controllers that work with everything including your XBOX.
But out of the large batch of controllers, two are definitely their defining lines. The Pro lineup which is a D-pad first, SNES-styled controller with grips, and the Ultimate lineup which was originally released in 2022, and has seen a number of revisions since then.
And out of all of this, what happens when 8BitDo takes its famed Ultimate line and turns it into a telescopic controller? Well, most people found this answer out in 2024, but now I think it’s a good time to revisit it and see if it’s still a good option all the way in 2026.
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8BitDo Ultimate Mobile Gaming Controller Specs
If you’re looking to pick this controller up, it’s generally going to run you about $49.99 on the 8BitDo website, however if you do grab this off of Amazon you can find it for around $5 less. There’s also two versions of the controller for the same prices. The standard controller, and the Xbox Cloud Gaming edition of the controller. Both end up at the same price, but if you want the Xbox button you know which route to go. But that’s price talk, specs are likely the important thing.
8BitDo Ultimate Mobile Gaming Controller
- Manufacturer
- 8BitDo
- Connectivity
- Face buttons
- ABXY (Xbox)
- D-pad
- Tactile
- Sticks
- Hall Effect
- Triggers
- Hall Effect
- Back buttons
- 2
- Battery (mAh)
- 300
- Battery life (hrs)
- 13
- Platforms
- Software
- 8BitDo Ultimate Software V2
- Dimensions
- 198 x 103 x 53.5mm
- Weight
- 236g
Build Quality and Ergonomics
Coming right off the bat, build quality of the 8bitdo is excellent. It’s built just like the rest of the Ultimate lineup controllers which means if you know the plastic, and the sturdiness, you know how well it’s built. The back has lightly textured plastic, and the front has a small ridge on the bottom to hold your device. The back rubber for your phones is also textured without feeling cheap, and as a whole, outside of the give in the center due to being a telescopic controller, it feels really good overall.
Ergonomics are once again as expected. I’ll be using an 8BitDo Ultimate 2C as a comparison point for this controller just so that those who have held an Ultimate may have a better idea of how this feels. The grips of the telescopic are a bit shorter than the 2C which means there’s less to grip, but the entire controller is overall shorter as well. This smaller stature means those with larger hands may begin to find this uncomfortable, but overall, if you know how to hold your 2C, you’d know how to hold this as well. And it feels just as similar.
Controls
Would you believe me if I said this had all the controls you’d expect from an 8BitDo Ultimate controller? Or at least close enough. The Hall Effect sticks on the telescopic are super smooth and responsive and appear to be the same size as the ones on the Ultimate 2C unit.
The triggers and shoulders are all hall effect and clicky, though I’ve noticed the telescopic controls are a bit louder than that on a 2C. This cheap controller does get the edge for its L4 and R4 buttons.
The face buttons are where it starts to differ a bit. While both are membranes with fairly light actuation forces required. I’ve noticed that the buttons on the telescopic controller are a bit quieter than that of the 2C. If you like quiet buttons I don’t think either would be good, but it is worth noting. The last difference is in the D-pad.
Both are tactile and clicky, they show off a decent bit of pivot and you can really tell if you’re landing in a diagonal. That being said, the telescopic controller is a bit stiffer and as whole louder as well. Not enough to be a deal-breaker, but enough to be noticeable.
The Stretch
Here’s the weakest link in the entire thing; the distance the 8BitDo stretches. Only getting up to 170mm in length, it only just clears my Google Pixel 8 Pro test device as that lands 162.6mm in total, and that doesn’t include the case it’s in. Because of that, small tablets, or really long phones likely won’t fit in here either. They do well by including the bumpers on the bottom and a big rubber sheet on the back to keep it in place, but as a whole I’m not the biggest fan of how much space they give you.
I will say though that connectivity over Bluetooth has been strong the entire time, generally doesn’t give me any issues when it comes to intermittent disconnecting. For small devices, this is perfectly fine. Just don’t try to push it.
Bonus Features
When it comes to “bonuses” there isn’t too much to say about the 8BitDo Telescopic controller. The turbo feature can be set on the device as well as the back control buttons, but if you want to do any real customization, you do have to download the applicable Ultimate Software and plug your controller into your PC to set those things up.
As always, the Ultimate Software is well done and manages everything on your controller well, but in this case it feels a bit redundant. Aside from the software, this controller really sticks to the basics despite being called an Ultimate controller. Not that it’s bad, but it’s about as feature rich as an Ultimate 2C, just with a stretchy middle.
Competition
When it comes to competition for the 8BitDo, you’re looking at a lot of Bluetooth only options. Though some can stretch a bit further. The first is the GameSir X5S, a Bluetooth-only version of their X5 that stretches out to 213mm. That being said, I would argue that the 8BitDo is a bit more ergonomic overall when compared to the GameSir unit. Sticking to GameSir, the G8+ is another alternative stretching all the way to 215mm.
With better ergonomics, and arguably better controls you do have to give up an extra $10 to $30 depending on pricing and sales. The last bit of competition I’d recommend is the Abxylute S8. Another all-Bluetooth, 216mm stretching telescopic with a neat GameCube colorway, and an awkwardly low stick. If you’re looking for options, there’s definitely a few; especially the S8 for as low as $39.99.
Final Thoughts
The 8BitDo Telescopic has its place. It’s a well built controller from a well known brand with quality parts, components, and compatibility. It stretches properly from phones and doesn’t find a need to push itself further. If you like the 8BitDo Ultimate line of controllers, and you know you’ll never use it for anything other than your phone, this is a perfectly cromulent option.
That being said, since 2024 when it originally came out, a lot has changed in this market. We’re not surrounded by as many massive iPega controllers that aim to stretch out 2 feet. But we also aren’t living with only phone focused controllers. Many other options can accommodate larger tablets, and additional devices with modding and you should obviously go that route if you need the space.
In the end it’s another quality product, but one with too many restrictions to be viable for everyone. I recommend it if you only need the basics done well. Otherwise, you may be better off looking elsewhere.
