I love mobile gaming, but I've never loved touchscreen controls, ever. No matter how good a game looks, there's always that moment where your thumb drifts off an invisible button, and your character suddenly runs in the wrong direction, or your car drifts into the railing, and not because of bad driving. It's usually at the worst possible time, too, like in the middle of a boss fight or your number 1 position in a race.
I've always preferred gaming with a controller whenever possible, and after using the Serafim S3, I found myself wishing I had known about it ages ago! What a nifty little gadget!
The S3 is trying to bring a console-style experience to mobile gaming by bringing in the direct USB-C connection, Hall Effect controls, passthrough charging, and the useful Serafim Console App. For the most part, it succeeds!
Setup for Serafim S3 Is About as Easy as It Gets
One thing I loved right away was how little setup was involved! Truly detest having to go through an entire manual when setting up a new device, so the Serafim really had my back there!
The Serafim S3 connects directly through USB-C, so there are no pairing screens or Bluetooth menus, so your controller doesn’t struggle with the whole not connected part.
You simply connect it, launch a compatible game you want to play, and start playing. That’s it!
The controller is officially Apple MFi certified, which means it meets Apple's hardware standards and includes an authentication chip for reliable compatibility with supported iPhones, including the iPhone 15 series and newer devices.
That doesn’t mean you HAVE to have an iPhone, thank goodness! The Serafim S3 is also compatible with the following and more:
- iPhone 15, 16, and 17 series
- Android 10 and newer
- Windows 7 and later
- macOS
I am a person who switches between devices all the time, so for me, this works really well. I always love a gadget that can do more than one job.
Goodbye Bluetooth Lag
One thing I have to admit is my love-hate relationship with Bluetooth gaming controllers over the years.
Most work perfectly fine, but every now and then, there's that tiny delay that kicks you out of your program because Bluetooth decides it is time to disconnect.
The Serafim S3 avoids that problem by using a direct USB-C connection. According to Serafim, it's capable of delivering gameplay up to 100 times faster than Bluetooth controllers, and in my experience, it is faster than what I expected.
What I can say is that everything feels immediate. Inputs register quickly, movement feels responsive, and fast-paced gameplay like Fortnite and Call Of Duty felt fast during my testing.
Hall Effect Controls Make A Difference
If there's one feature that really needs applause, it's the Hall Effect joysticks and triggers.
The Serafim S3 includes:
- Dual Hall Effect joysticks
- Hall Effect analog triggers
- Drift-free sensor technology
- Improved durability
Do you know how frustrating it is when your controller suddenly has stick drift? Everything is fine, and suddenly, your character is slowly wandering off in a direction you never made them go, or your weapon is aiming at the floor, instead of the big, bad, ugly zombie you're supposed to be shooting.
That's one reason I liked the Hall Effect joysticks and triggers on the Serafim S3. Everything feels accurate and responsive, and it doesn’t matter if you are making tiny adjustments or reacting quickly during more intensive action moments.
Games like Call of Duty, Genshin Impact, Fortnite, and Roblox all work much better with physical controls, and having played these types of games on both PlayStation 5 and on my phone, I can attest to that! Proper analog sticks give you more control than touchscreen features do on a mobile device.
After using the S3 for a while, going back to touchscreen controls felt a bit like trying to type a long email on a smartwatch. Technically possible, but not something I'd want to ever do again because I have another option now.
Comfort Matters More Than Specs
You can have the fastest controller in the world, but if your hands hurt after thirty minutes, none of the fancy features mean a thing. Thankfully, Serafim clearly spent a lot of time thinking about gamers’ comfort.
The Serafim S3 weighs approximately 143.5 grams, so it is really light in your hands. After a while, you don’t even notice the weight anymore, which is exactly what you want from a controller.
Nobody wants an unexpected arm workout during a gaming session, unless you’re like me and jump with your remote during scary scenes, meaning you get a full workout anyway!
The controller also includes:
- Two pairs of swappable grips
I like this approach because not everyone's hands are comfortable with grips that are smooth, and vice versa. The option to swap the grip just makes the controller feel more personal.
Small Features That Change Your Experience
Some of my favorite features aren't even the flashy ones. Instead, they are the practical additions that make it useful for everyday use.
The Serafim S3 includes:
- Passthrough charging
- Integrated 3.5 mm headphone jack
- Support for phone cases up to 3 mm thick
- Adjustable design for phones up to 17.9 cm long
Passthrough charging is probably the feature I appreciate the most.
If you're anything like me, your phone battery flashes a warning that you only have 20 percent battery power right when you're finally making progress during gaming. Being able to charge the controller while playing means you won’t have to stress about that.
I also love the fact that I don’t have to remove my phone case every time I connect the controller.
The Serafim Console App Is More Useful Than Expected
I underestimated the Serafim Console App completely. I assumed it would be a basic app, but after exploring it for a while, I realized it actually has far more functionality than I expected.
Users can:
- Browse compatible games
- Record gameplay
- Capture screenshots
- Edit clips
- Share content directly to social platforms
- Start Twitch streams with a single click
For gamers who enjoy creating content, having everything built into one ecosystem is seriously convenient.
The app also opens the door to additional gaming platforms, including:
- PS Remote Play
- Xbox Game Pass
- Steam
- GeForce NOW
- Amazon Luna
- App Store games
- Google Play games
Being able to switch between games on my phone and cloud gaming services without changing devices was something I ended up using more than I expected. It‘s more than just a controller clipped onto a smartphone.
This is more of a phone accessory and can be treated more like a handheld gaming setup that fits in your backpack.
A Nice Bonus for Fallout Fans
Serafim is also running a limited-time collaboration with Fallout 76.
If you pick up the S3 during the promotion, you'll get a complimentary Fallout 76 game code. It's a nice little bonus, especially if you're already planning to buy the controller.
If I am getting a free game with a new piece of gaming gear, I never complain!
Final Verdict
After spending time with the Serafim S3, what stood out to me wasn't one big headline feature. Instead, it is all the smaller things that make this a worthy purchase.
In my opinion, if you're sick of drifting with touchscreen controls and want a more console-like experience on your phone, the Serafim S3 is definitely worth buying!
The Serafim S3 is available now for $89.99 through Amazon and directly from the Serafim website. You can learn more at serafimgaming.com and check out the full product details on the official Serafim S3 page.
