Asus' ROG Phone 8 is being marketed as the next big gaming smartphone, but to reach those heights, you naturally need a good controller to support it, and according to an exclusive leak provided to windowsreportcom, the ROG Tessen Mobile controller is just such a product

The new controller appears to be very similar to Asus' previous model, the ROG Kunai 3 However, reports indicate that there are a few changes to the new design More RGB lights make the device appear more colorful

The ROG Tessen is supposed to work with a wired USB connection inside the controller bracket This reportedly allows for zero latency with the phone and a seamless experience when using the controller There is no indication that the controller will allow Bluetooth or other wireless connectivity

The controller will feature two analog sticks as well as a D-pad and a four-button layout In the image of the controller shared in the leak, there are two trigger buttons on the back and two shoulder buttons on the top of the controller This will be the same as most of the major controllers currently on the market

The design of the ROG Tessen mobile controller is more compact than previous models, and the handgrip appears more sturdy However, the handgrip appears to be expandable, which should allow for more mobility The controller appears to be able to accommodate a variety of play modes Three modes are reported: handheld mode, all-in-one mode, and mobility mode It is unclear if more options will be available, but these three alone should cover the needs of most users

There is no information in the leaked information regarding color options that may be available at launch There is also no information on battery life or price, but windowsreportcom speculates that the battery life in wireless mode will be 6 hours and the price will be around $139 to $159

Compared to the Razer Kishi V2, one of the top contenders in the mobile controller market, the ROG Tessen Mobile could be an excellent competitor The ability to shift the controller to better fit the user's needs is reported, and the expandable handgrip is an advantage over the Kishi V2's smaller handhold the ROG Tessen's price may put many off compared to the Kishi V2, which was $99 at launch might shy away from it

The question of whether the controller can compete with the Backbone One is a more difficult area The adjustability of the Asus ROG Tessen Controller is a good start, but it needs to be able to demonstrate similar compatibility and versatility with the various software offerings need to be able to demonstrate similar compatibility and versatility with the various software offerings

It is important to consider that this controller is not yet available for testing; we expect the ROG Phone 8 to be officially announced at CES 2024 in January