Jio has forayed into the market of gaming accessories with the launch of an all-new product which is a game controller. The game controller can be used with Android and iOS devices, Android TVs, Windows and macOS computers, and more. It is currently priced at Rs 3,499, which makes it an interesting choice over the much costlier Xbox and PlayStation DualSense controllers. Jio Gaming Controller is available for purchase starting today, May 31, 2022. More details on this product are listed below.
Pricing and Availability
Jio Game Controller is available for Rs 3,499 at launch, from today onward. In comparison, the official Xbox Wireless controller is priced at Rs 5,390 for the black and white editions and Rs 5,890 for the blue, red, and volt editions. The PlayStation DualSense controller, another competitor to Jio’s offering, is similarly priced at Rs 4,999 for the Black Edition and Rs 5,499 for the White edition. Thus, the Jio Game Controller has a competitive edge when it comes to pricing.
Jio Game Controller will also launch with EMI (Enterprise Management Incentive) options for customers who cannot the full amount upfront. The telecom company has partnered with several banks to provide EMI choices from as low as Rs 1264 with credit cards only. Debit card support has not been added yet.
Layout
Jio’s game controller is based on the official Xbox controller’s layout. This is completely fine provided Xbox controllers are supported across a wide range of devices including Xbox consoles, all Windows PCs, Android and iOS devices, and Android TVs. This controller borrows a few design elements from the Xbox 360 controller too. The X, Y, A, and B buttons have been color-coded following the design of the legendary controller that came with Microsoft’s best-selling Xbox console.
But, there are a few differences from the Xbox controller’s design. Overall, the controller manages to maintain an original one. The controller will have 20 buttons in total, which is the same as that of the Xbox controller. The controller has the following keys:
- Two shoulder buttons (one on the left and one on the right)
- Two triggers (one on the left and one on the right)
- Two thumbsticks have been placed like in the Xbox controller
- A directional pad with 8 directional buttons compared to the four on Xbox controllers
- A back key, a home key, and a TV key at the bottom of the controller
- X, Y, A, and B buttons
- A central Jio button
- A Select and Start button on each side of the Jio button
Connectivity, Battery Life, and Compatibility
Jio game controller is wireless and uses Bluetooth 4.1. This iteration of the wireless connection standard was released in December 2013 and is quite outdated. It has long been replaced with Bluetooth 5.0, and a 6th iteration of the technology is right around the corner. Also, Bluetooth is the only connectivity option available on this controller. The gamepad promises eight (8) hours of battery life. But, only real-world testing can give a number to this metric.
The controller also has an in-built charging port. However, this port is USB Micro B and not Type-C as is found in most controllers released these days. Upon launch, Jio Gaming Controller will be supported on Microsoft Windows, macOS, Android, and iOS smartphones, tablets, Android TVs, and Jio Set-Top Box (STB) devices.