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0 If you’re a regular reader of Thumb Culture, in particular our hardware reviews, you’ll most likely have seen our recent review of the PuK PathFinder Bundle. This time I’m back with a look at the PuK TheGrips. These are essentially an add on accessory that turns your phone into a full blown controller for the semi low price of £23 on the PuK website.
And Now A Word From Our Sponsor
Dylan Burgess, Co-Founder and COO of PuK Gaming commented, “Touchscreen controls provide brilliant low latency input, UI customization and impressive accuracy when using the dexterity and fine motor controls of your thumb. Touch can be incredibly effective when used with certain software, however, fatigue often creeps in during sustained gaming sessions, and the lack of physical feedback when playing in touch mode has created demand for a better solution, especially with playing games originally designed for console or PC. Our mission is to unite touch and physical controls, harnessing the benefits of touch, adding comfortable, physical devices that interface directly with your phone. Nothing to charge, pair or maintain for a price mobile gamers can afford, in a package that fits in their pocket.”
Design
So what is there to say about the design of TheGrips? Not a huge amount in all honesty. But mostly because these are simple in design, which is not a bad thing! Upon opening the box you’re greeted by invisible dust that will ruin your photos, the PuK grips themselves nestled in. They are a sleek black with an unintrusive PuK logo on the corner. These come pre-installed with the necessary 3M pads. However as we all like options and phones can be tricky beast there are extra 3M pads included. All in all you’ll get two thick 3M adhesive pads and one thin 3M adhesive pad. Both of which can be stacked on the pre-installed Grip Pads. I’ll go into the compatibility and how to actually use TheGrips below but rest assured before you attach them to your phone case permanently, yes permanently, to read the instructions and use the handy alcohol prep wipe to clean your surface.
Attachment and Compatibility
Before we get into it I really need to stress again that TheGrips attach permanently. As a consequence PuK Gaming advise that you attach the grips to a phone case. This is so you can easily remove your phone from the case and thus TheGrips whenever you’re done playing. Whilst we’re talking about cases let’s dive a little deeper because there are some requirements for case type. You can’t just go with any old Hello Kitty case. Yes, that is what I have on my phone and it’s hella cute. To use TheGrips you need a slim plain case. It also needs to have at least 4cm of flat surface near your phone’s camera area. Think of those transparent clear gel cases that could not be any plainer and you’re on the right track. These thinner cases not only ensure secure attachment but will give you the best experience with the peripherals.
TheGrips work with most standard smartphones. However, whilst this includes some iPhones and Android devices, there is one big caveat. That being that only phones with traditional camera layouts are typically compatible. That’s right if you’re photography buff and own any of the iPhone Pro or Pro Max models, you’re out of luck. If you’re unsure if your phone passes the compatibility check PuK Gaming have a handy Device Compatibility Checker on their website. But if you have a Pro iPhone like me, then unfortunately, you will not be able to use TheGrips. Which is where my review hits a speed bump. I literally could not test these out. Aside holding them in my hand and pretending really hard to be playing Call of Duty Mobile.
Final Thoughts
There is no doubt that TheGrips are made to a high standard. They feel really nice in your hands, the texture on the back gives some nice sensory feedback too. The branding is very gamer coded, although very close to the Razer green, which may cause some issues. TheGrips feel really promising. However, I think for gaming on the go they don’t offer a hugely compact solution. Afterall you have to carry the case they are stuck to around with you. Either that or you just go about your business with mobile gaming controllers stuck either side of your phone. Which is not as easy to put in your pocket!
I couldn’t actually use TheGrips for mobile gaming due to my phone being incompatible, something I hadn’t even thought of until it landed with me! But based on experiences with the PuK PathFinder Bundle, I can see this being a welcome addition to mobile gamers who like to game from the comfort of their own house. Or even for long train journeys.
Disclaimer: A product was received in order to write this article.
@pukgamingofficial With the PuK, turn your phone into the controller 🗣️ – No more bulky controllers, no more wires, and no more latency delays 💯 – #mobilegaming #phone #mobilecontroller
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