The past several years have seen mobile gaming push harder into delivering true console-like experiences. From native adaptations of popular games like Call of Duty Mobile and Diablo Immortal to streaming services like GeForce Now and Xbox Game Pass, it’s easier than ever to take the games you play at home on the road. This makes controllers like the Turtle Beach Atom more important than ever.
Both sides of the controller snap to each side of a mobile device horizontally which could be a problem for folks with bigger (or foldable) Android phones. But for anyone with an average-sized phone, the Atom is good for playing native or streaming a nice amount of games. Input lag is nonexistent for the most part, and the general feel is outstanding.
Here are our thoughts on the Turtle Beach Atom after spending several weeks with the controller connected to a Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 4.
Turtle Beach's Atom controller is for gamers who want console-like experiences for native mobile games and streaming services like Xbox Game Pass and GeForce Now. This isn’t for the occasional game of Candy Crush Saga or Uno. It's available for iOS and Android, though Android users have the exclusive benefit of a dedicated Xbox button.
What we liked about it
Console-quality buttons
Mobile games are getting more complex thanks to titles like Genshin Impact as well as mobile ports of hit console and PC titles like Call of Duty and PUBG. Streaming services like GeForce Now and Xbox Game Pass allow users to stream first-person shooters, action adventure games and racing titles, all of which can be difficult without a controller.
The cool thing about the Atom Controller is that on a base level, it works totally fine with games like the ones mentioned above. Anyone even slightly familiar with an Xbox controller knows what to expect with the Atom: two joysticks, one D-pad, four face buttons, two shoulder buttons and two analog triggers. There’s even an Xbox button that on its own works as a home button but also opens up Xbox features when using Game Pass.
When it comes to the actual feel of this controller, the analogue sticks are buttery smooth while offering a great click-in when pressed down. Face and shoulder buttons offer that same console controller-like feel. The analog triggers and D-pad were amazing to use as well. The controller is comfortable during short sessions, but you may have some issues when playing for longer than an hour, at least for folks with larger sized hands.
It’s phenomenal for native and streaming games
Performance-wise, the Turtle Beach Atom can play just about any of the most popular mobile games available alongside top titles you’ll find on streaming services. When it came to mobile games, latency wasn’t an issue and connection remained consistent during gameplay. It doesn’t hurt that the controller itself is fairly easy to set up. Just hold the Bluetooth button on the controller’s left side bottom and make sure your mobile phone is ready to connect, and that’s it.
Services like GeForce Now, Xbox Game Pass and Steam Link are where the Atom controller truly shines. Considering this Atom variant was created with Game Pass in mind, we tried that first with great results. Playing Gears 5, Forza Horizon 5 or PowerWash Simulator works well enough, though your latency will be at the mercy of your Wi-Fi or cellular signal. That’s why it’s best to play games that don’t require significant input timing like PowerWash Simulator or Firewatch.
When playing Forza Horizon 5, there was a slight input delay that made racing difficult on occasion. Again, this isn’t the controller’s fault, but the nature of modern game streaming. Pressing the Xbox button will bring up the standard Xbox overlay that gives details into friends list, achievements and the likes. When you press it while using Steam Link, it’ll bring up Steam’s overlay.
There’s also a Turtle Beach Atom companion app that allows you to further personalize your gaming experience, including the ability to customize dead zones (which affects how sensitive the sticks and triggers are) and response times. It also serves as a central hub for discovering both native and streaming-based games. This probably won’t get much usage outside of a place to get firmware updates, but it’s nice to have.
Fantastic battery life
The Turtle Beach Atom promises 20-plus hours of battery life between charges, and the controller mostly makes good on that. During our time with it, we could go about a full week between charges. If someone is playing between 30 minutes to an hour a day in a week, that’s a long time before the Atom has be juiced up again. Even then, it’ll charge to full in about three and a half hours.
To charge, just connect each half of the controllers together and plug in a USB-C cable. This ensures that both halves of the Atom charge evenly, and also makes the controller a lot more portable than similar mobile gamepad options.
For added measure, there is a small LED light between the USB-C port and Bluetooth connection button that lets you know your battery status. You’ll only get two colors — green for full and red for near-death — but you can get a more detailed view through your phone’s Bluetooth settings or the Atom companion app.
What we didn’t like about it
Doesn’t fit all Android phones or cases well
Most iPhones and Android phones should fit the Turtle Beach Atom controller fine — if you’re not using a case. There is an upward sliding mechanism on each side that locks the horizontally fixed phone in place, and it can reach between 2.6?to 3.6 inches. However, in an age where flagship phones are becoming more complex and expensive to repair, cases are a must-have. With that said, the Atom controller doesn’t fit well with larger cases. That doesn’t even count the rise of foldable phones on the Android side of things. Be mindful that this is also an issue for other mobile phone controller options like the Backbone.
As mentioned previously, the Android edition was tested on a Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 4. Without the case, the sliding lock was able to fit between the crease — but that can potentially lead to damage of the internal screen. Using the case led to moments where the controller sometimes slipped off the phone. The controllers can theoretically be used without being attached to a phone. However, the sides that hold the phone together protrude far enough to prevent a full grip. This means many users of the Atom controller are going to have to take the risk and use it without a case. It’s a shame considering the controller can be connected to Android tablets as well.
Lack of haptic feedback
Haptic feedback has become a standard feature that helps make games more immersive, and many native mobile games utilize some type of vibration via your phone’s internal motors. However, the Turtle Beach Atom displays its limitations when attempting to use various console-quality games through streaming services. For example, it’s incredibly difficult to play games like Hi-Fi Rush, in which controller vibration helps with the rhythm-based combat, or making sure your wheels aren’t getting locked on high-speed turns in Forza Horizon 5.
The lack of haptic feedback is understandable, given the high battery life and 2.5Hz transmitter that connects both sides of the controller. However, having a true console quality experience means having vibration — especially for titles that feature it as a key gameplay mechanic.
Not very comfortable for long gaming sessions
For short sessions, the Turtle Beach Atom controller is fairly comfortable. Larger hand sizes may have trouble with cramping after around an hour. It doesn’t help that the controller doesn’t have any textured grips, which can make it slippery. Again, the controllers can be used without being attached to the phone but it’s an overwhelmingly uncomfortable process to do so. The Atom controller is definitely meant to be held in a more traditional way even if modern Android phones are evolving in terms of form factor.
How it compares
Price-wise, the Turtle Beach Atom is cheaper than the $100 Backbone One and $150 Razer Kishi V2 Pro. For mobile gamers on a budget, this controller is definitely ideal compared to its more expensive rivals. However, if you have cash to spend, it’s worth considering the competition.
One of the best things about the Backbone One is the inclusion of a 3.5mm headphone jack. The Atom blocks the USB-C (or Lighting) ports, which means that Bluetooth headphones are going to be a necessity. Meanwhile, the Razer Kishi has built-in haptic feedback — one of the Atom’s bigger omissions — alongside a 3.5mm headphone jack. If gaming is all that matters, the Atom is fine. Anyone looking for a more robust feature set should consider the Backbone One and Kishi.
Bottom line
The $80 Turtle Beach Atom controller is well worth the money for mobile gamers who also play games through streaming services like Xbox Game Pass and Steam Link. Setup is relatively easy, the controls feel good and the battery life is impressive. Just understand that you may have to use it without your phone case, which could be risky for some. Still, mobile gamers who are looking for a respectable controller that’s under $100 have their champion.
