Topic: Android devices for xCloud

So, the upcoming release of xCloud has had me thinking. iPhones are out the question, so I am now looking for an android phone. I found some things that some might find interesting, so figured I would share.

Red Magic 5G

This phone is literally built for gaming. Thing has a 145mhz refresh rate, absurdly powerful cpu, among other things. The thing is so powerful it has a fan (does not run all the time and reviews I went over point at it being extremely silent.) The phone even has two sholder buttons that can be mapped to specific screen clicks, per game, and they also sell these joycon-like attachments that easily pop in and out of a custom case.

Link to a youtube video covering more about this phone

Here is a link to the case in Amazon (to be clear, none of my links are affiliate links, and im even stripping the URL of all tracking junk.)

Black Shark 3 (Photo for previous model)

This phone is almost identical to the above, with a few minor differences. Almost all I said above applies here. They sell their own Joycon style controllers, has no fan (that i noticed) but they sell a cooling attachment (that does look .... clunky.) This one also has a bit inferior screen with only a 90hz refresh rate.

Youtube video review from same guy as the previous one
Could not find this on on amazon but here is a link to their ...

ROG Phone 3

This might be the most incredible phone in the list, but i think it is not available yet, since I can find no way to buy it. However, it is the third revision and the previous two can be found. This line of phones is absurd, they actually sell not just joycon-like attachments, but there is also a second screen attachment, and even a TV dock! Look at this insanity (last year model) with the controllers and second screen both attached:

Of course, all of that is optional, but the thought of an xCloud device i can carry around with joycons, and being able to just dock the thing... Im heavily tempted to wait for this one, whenever it becomes available (or maybe even consider last year's model.)

Link to product page
Video review

Video review of last year model

Others?

Of course, there are all the accessories Microsoft has been advertising lately (sorry getting late and Im getting lazy 😅)

So, does anyone knows of other cool ways to potentially play xCloud with Android?

I've ordered the 8BitDo controller so will just be looking to use that when I do use the service. I've already got plenty of other controllers I could use but I like the design of this new one and couldn't pass up the opportunity to get one

Not really fussed about turning my phone into a switch-like device, though it is cool that there are options out there.

@roe i have one of those for my Switch, ideal for 2d games and side scrollers since the dpad is in the perfect position for those. Almost wish I could use it directly on the XBox One.

(One of my biggest wishlist items for Series X is support for Bluetooth controllers.)

I am thinking of getting the Samsung Note 10 myself. I have always liked the Note line so there's that. I will just need to look into controllers.

Get anything with Wifi 6, Super AMOLED, 90+hz refresh rate, good mic(if you r into streaming).

I updated the OP with another awesome gaming phone I found that might fit the bill.

@Tasuki I was considering the Note 20 Ultra myself, but it can run me $1500, and I never been a fan of all the Samsung bloatware. For that amount I can get two of the phones I listed above.

@Tharsman Yeah but I like an actual phone, cause I use it alot more then gaming. Those "gaming" phones just look bulky and impractical to use as a phone. They are trying to hard to be Switches. But that's my opinion.

@Tasuki For what its worth, most of those phones are actually the same size as the Note. All the stuff I put in photos is with additional attachments that go on top. The phones themselves are pretty much standard slabs of glass, with a ton of horsepower.

That said, I still have not discarded the Note from my own list of consideration. It IS a damned good looking phone. If it was not for bloatware and price, i would be getting a Note 20 Ultra without a second thought.

@Tharsman Understandable. I have owned several phones over the years, LG, Motorola, Samsung and the Samsung phones have always been good to me especially the Note line. As for the price I usually just make payments on my phone through my carrier.

I've been using a Pixel 3 xl and a Galaxy note 9 for xcloud and both have worked well. Thinking about springing for the Note 20 Ultra towards the end of the year if I can find a good deal!

@Tasuki I have the Note 10+ and just picked up the Razer Kishi, those two combined are amazing, I've been playing a lot of Forza Horizon 4 on my phone and its great.

@highscorejimmy I'm angry at you, not really but damned jealous. My preorder got delayed for about a month and every place I search says the Kishi is sold out. I don't think they expected it to sell this fast... And it's not just the Xbox model. All models seem to suddenly had gone out of stock. Wonder if xCloud is responsible for all the demand.

Curious, where did you pick yours?

@Tharsman They've been selling out pretty quick since launch, its xCloud, Geforce Now, and Stadia all causing the out of stock I think. Its a great controller though, I got mine from Amazon. Ordered it and had it within about a week.

@highscorejimmy I checked razers own website, they seem to have the plain Android version available but kinda want the Xbox one. Not sure if if there is much difference other than the home button having an X on it.

@Tharsman I'm pretty sure the branding is the o ly difference, when I press the home button on xcloud, it pulls up the Xbox menu, in stadia it opens the stadia menu

Been using an Nvidia Shield TV for the last few days and it's been awesome, best way to Xcloud on a TV. Very versatile little device, should've invested in one sooner!

Where is the thread of the Razer Kishi accessory review that someone made?

@BlueOcean It looks like it's gone. I think if it's the one you were talking about it was an advertisement disguised as a post which of course is against the rules here so more then likely it was deleted.

Anyone have any recommendations for tablets to run xCloud on?

@Tharsman Hey, are you still looking for Android Phones?

I do have some good suggestions.

If you want a headphone jack, go for the S10, S10e, S10+, or Pixel 4a.

If you want the absolute best phone right now, I'd say that the Note 20 Series is really good, and the Note 10 Series is good as well.

I would have recommended the Surface Duo, as that's Microsoft Phone and the Two Screens is beneficial for many tasks, but the mediocre reviews and high price made me avoid the phone. However, I'd say keep your eyes open for the second iteration.

I also have some good tablet suggestions, but they're all Samsung Tablets and Fire Tablets.