Review: Serafim S3 – The Best Gaming Experience on a Smartphone
October 20, 2025 – by Daniel Jesus @ tech bit
Playing games on smartphones has become increasingly common nowadays, ranging from the simplest casual titles to more complex games that are comparable to console experiences.
For the former, touchscreen controls are often sufficient, but there are games that demand more precise and refined control—something only a proper game controller can provide.
For those who want to transform their smartphone into a true gaming console and enjoy enhanced control, it’s worth discovering the new Serafim S3, a smartphone controller recognized as one of the Best of CES 2024 by Tom’s Guide.
Read our impressions and review of this mobile gamepad, which can connect to both Android and iOS smartphones.
Serafim S3 Review – Elevate Your Smartphone Gaming with One of the Best Mobile Gamepads
Contents
- Serafim S3 Review – Elevate Your Smartphone Gaming with One of the Best Mobile Gamepads
1.1 Design and Build Quality
1.2 Setup and the Serafim Console App
1.3 Gaming Experience
1.4 Serafim S3 Verdict
1.5 See Also
The Serafim S3 is a gaming controller that transforms your smartphone into a complete portable console.
With MFi certification ensuring full compatibility with iPhone, it also works seamlessly with Android devices via a low-latency USB-C connection, delivering a smooth, interference-free gaming experience.
It features Hall Effect joysticks and triggers, eliminating drift and dead zones — providing greater precision, responsiveness, and long-term durability.
The design is extendable, supporting phones up to 17.9 cm, and offers interchangeable grips to fit your fingers comfortably.
On the body of the device, there are dedicated buttons for screen and video capture, as well as a quick-launch button for the Serafim Console app, which allows you to play cloud games (Xbox Game Pass, Steam, PlayStation, GeForce Now, etc.), record sessions, edit, and stream your gameplay.
It’s completed with a USB-C port for charging while you play and a 3.5 mm audio jack for connecting headphones. Compact and lightweight, the Serafim S3 is ideal for demanding mobile gamers who seek performance, customization, and integration with digital platforms.
As for the price, the Serafim S3 is available for $89.99.
Design and Build Quality
The Serafim S3 is entirely made of high-quality hard plastic, which provides an excellent feel to the touch.
On the front, we find a carbon fiber–style finish, while the back features a textured surface designed to improve grip — even when your hands get sweaty.
On the front left side, we have a joystick, directional buttons, and two action buttons — one for screenshot capture and another to expand additional options.
At the bottom, we find the 3.5 mm jack, while at the top are the L1 and L2 buttons.
Moving to the right side, we find the ABXY buttons, another joystick, and two more action buttons — one for settings and another to launch the Serafim app.
At the bottom, a USB-C connector has been included for charging the smartphone while playing.
At the top, we find the R1 and R2 buttons.
In the middle, the Serafim S3 features an expandable smartphone mount supporting devices up to 17.9 centimeters, along with a USB-C connector.
Setup and Serafim Console App
Setting up the Serafim S3 is very simple and quick.
Without needing to remove the case — one of its biggest advantages and distinctions compared to other models — simply place the smartphone in the center of the gamepad and connect the USB-C.
On both Android and iPhone (being MFi-certified), the controller is quickly detected and ready to start gaming.
The smartphone mount is very precise, fitting snugly without applying excessive pressure on the sides.
The USB-C connector is flexible, meaning that even if the smartphone “shifts” slightly, the connector moves along to avoid stress.
If desired, you can also use this controller with a Windows or Mac computer by simply connecting via USB-C.
To unlock the full potential of the Serafim S3, the Serafim Console app is available for installation.
It integrates with the main cloud gaming platforms (Steam Link, Xbox Game Pass, GeForce Now, App Store, Play Store, etc.), allowing you to centralize all your games in a single hub and perform an integrated search for the games you want to play.
Although many games are displayed, not the entire catalog appears. For example, EA Sports FC is available on Xbox Game Pass, but it does not show up in the search results.
With this app, you can also link your account to Twitch and conduct live streaming sessions or gameplay recordings.
The app is actually very easy to use, but it’s a pity that it does not integrate the entire available game library.
Gaming Experience
One of the most important aspects of a controller is ergonomics, comfort, how it fits in the hand, and the ease of using the buttons.
In the case of the Serafim S3, all these aspects are well addressed, making it one of the most comfortable controllers we have ever tested in this segment.
In addition to not needing to remove the case to mount the smartphone, the controller fits naturally in the hand. Moreover, it is lightweight (146 grams), making it easy to use for several hours.
Although it includes a textured area on the back to help with grip, you can also add additional grips included in the box to further improve how the controller is held.
The triggers and joysticks feature a Hall effect mechanism, which uses magnets to detect movement and enhance motion accuracy, ensuring precise control with no dead zones. The buttons are also very accessible and comfortable to use.
Overall, this is, honestly, one of the best mobile controllers we have ever used, offering a gaming experience very close to that of a console controller.
In addition to its hand comfort, it is also compatible with a variety of cloud platforms, as well as emulators and other software, ensuring broad compatibility with the vast majority of games.
For those who enjoy recording or streaming games, there is also the option to use the Serafim Controller app to integrate with Twitch.
Finally, it is worth highlighting the 3.5 mm jack and the USB-C connector, which ensure that the ports remain functional and allow you to charge while playing without the cable getting in the way.
Although this controller is designed for smartphone gaming, it can also be used on a Windows or Mac computer by simply connecting via USB-C. This way, you can use the Serafim S3 just like a regular controller.
Serafim S3 Verdict
The Serafim S3 is a mobile controller designed with the user experience in mind.
It features good ergonomics and replaceable grips that enhance hand comfort, combined with a lightweight design to ensure comfort during long gaming sessions.
Both the triggers and joysticks offer high precision with no dead zones, and the placement and usability of the other buttons also provide a pleasant overall experience.
It’s just a pity that it does not include additional buttons to further enhance precision.
In terms of smartphone connection, this is done quickly and easily, requiring only the USB-C connector. This experience works for both Android and iOS, as it is MFi-certified.
Charging is also supported through the USB-C port at the bottom, allowing you to play and charge simultaneously, along with a 3.5 mm audio jack.
Overall, this is one of the best controllers you can buy to experience true gaming on your smartphone, just like on a console.
As for the price, the Serafim S3 is available at the brand’s official store for $89.90.
Techbit thanks Serafim for providing the Serafim S3 for review.
Serafim S3
The Serafim S3 is a Bluetooth controller for smartphones, ideal for mobile gaming. With an ergonomic design and physical buttons, it provides a more precise and comfortable experience compared to using the touchscreen. Compatible with a wide range of games, the S3 is perfect for those seeking greater control and performance when playing on mobile devices.
Build Quality: 9
Ergonomics: 9.5
Connection Stability with Smartphone: 9
Gaming Experience: 9
Price: 7.5
