OnePlus Ace 6 Ultra has a date: there’s a surprise, but no Android console

Today comes a denial and a confirmation: rumors about a OnePlus portable console have ultimately proven false, but only partly. The mysterious arriving device — initially pointed to as a true Android-based console — is actually the novel Gun God Game Controller, a controller that aims to completely transform the phone-based gaming experience.

The gadget will debut in combination with OnePlus Ace 6 Ultra, the new gaming flagship arriving this month for the Chinese market.

OnePlus Ace 6 Ultra, release date revealed: it will arrive alongside the new Gun God Game Controller

The brand’s product launch event is set for April 28: the highly anticipated one is clearly the latest Gaming Phone from OnePlus, but the smartphone pad is not to be underestimated either. With Gun God Game Controller (the name is a statement in itself), the company has decided to overturn the classic form factor of the category.

It won’t be a portable console, as rumored before, but it remains quite an interesting addition. The device replaces the usual oversized pads, characterized by a bulky look. The final result is a sleek and slim controller, which sits on top of the smartphone like a case; the other side of the coin is tied to the sole touch controls.

Compared to standard phone pads, in this case there are no analog sticks and no physical ABXY buttons. The gadget features two ergonomic grips while on the back there is room for four triggers R1, R2, L1, L2. The central part is equipped with a mounting system to add an external cooling fan.

Even though it doesn’t offer an analog experience, OnePlus’s solution goes beyond simple smartphone controls — two-finger touch — adding new rear buttons. In theory this placement should improve both precision and comfort; clearly the target is FPS, but it is very likely it will be compatible with a plethora of games.

Regarding OnePlus Ace 6 Ultra, we’ve already had a sneak peek of its design: although this is a Gaming Phone, the device does not aim for an overly flashy look even if it does not give up a design different from the usual. The chassis features a finish that creates a iridescent effect: the final result is a striking purple “Ace” wordmark, produced without LEDs but through precision engraving and plays of light.

On the technical side there are rumors of the SoC Dimensity 9500 along with an OLED 6.83″ 1.5K display with a 165 Hz refresh rate (the same frequency as the standard top-tier). In terms of battery life we should have a sizeable 8,600 mAh battery, with silicon-carbon technology to avoid increasing the device thickness.