In June 2024, I wrote a review for the Phantom, a then upcoming premium PlayStation 5 controller from HexGaming. My review of the HexGaming Phantom was almost universally glowing. I praised the controller for building off the already solid foundation of the PlayStation 5 DualSense while also adding new features that made a lot of sense. The features and quality improvements were things that made sense and, in my opinion, added value to the controller. They were not features that were added just for the sake of adding another bullet point to a store page.
More specifically, I praised the Phantom for features such as its rubberized grips that ensured the controller never slipped out of my hand even during intense gameplay. I also very much loved the four remappable buttons on the back that had very satisfying mouse-like tactical clicks, which paired nicely with the six different profiles you could customize and quickly swap between. Then there were the eight different thumb sticks that offered different stem lengths and different top shapes.
However, it was the Phantom's DRIFIX module that both earned my highest praise and ultimately led to my biggest grievance. HexGaming decided to tackle the widespread issue of DualSense controller stick drift by incorporating a DRIFIX module directly into the Phantom. This module allows you to quickly re-align the sticks should you start to experience even the slightest bit of stick drift. The module was easy to access and allowed for effortless adjustments if necessary. While I had commended, and still do commend HexGaming for this sort of forward-thinking feature, it did get me thinking about how great it would be if the Phantom had used Hall Effect modules instead.
I really, really liked the initial HexGaming Phantom that I reviewed. I still very much like that Phantom controller to this day. For that review, it was less that I had issues with the Phantom and more that I had a few "wishlist" desires for a couple of things I would have liked to seen included. As you can tell by the score, the omission of those wishlist items did not detract from what was being offered. I stand by that review where I gave it high praise and a review score of 5 out of 5 stars here.
That said, it has been a few months since the release of the initial Phantom and would you look at that? HexGaming just released a "pro" version of the Phantom that now includes Hall Effect modules for their analog sticks! Specifically, this new stick option for their Phantom uses what they call HEX Hall Effect sticks. Their custom design also includes a special calibration toolbox in the super off chance that you need to make any sort of alignment adjustments.
HexGaming says on their website that they conducted research on some of the competition that were using Hall Effect modules in their controllers. This allowed them to "identify the strengths and weaknesses of current products" and help guide them "to establish our unique calibration steps and design features." The company apparently went through several different versions of their HEX Hall Effect sticks and calibration tools before arriving at a solution that offered a circularity error rate that was less than half that of official DualSense and DualSense Edge controllers.
Our breakthrough came with the third version. We replaced the square magnets in the Hall Effect joystick with fan-shaped magnets. This change ensured a more linear magnetic field variation, aligning the physical travel with electromagnetic induction. This adjustment brought the joystick’s performance closer to that of the original potentiometer joysticks and further reduced the circularity error rate. (…)
The circularity error rate shown in the graphics was tested using the original DS controller shell and joystick. Since the HEX controller design differs from the original DS controller, the circularity error rate may vary. Generally, a circularity error rate below 10% does not affect gameplay. For reference, the circularity average error for DS and DS Edge controllers ranges from 7% to 9%.
The circularity error rate shown in the graphics was tested using the original DS controller shell and joystick. Since the HEX controller design differs from the original DS controller, the circularity error rate may vary. Generally, a circularity error rate below 10% does not affect gameplay. For reference, the circularity average error for DS and DS Edge controllers ranges from 7% to 9%.
I believe that essentially means that these sticks will feel almost identical to the potentiometer sticks you're probably used to while also having accuracy that is closer to that of traditional Hall Effect magnetic modules. It's kind of a "best of both worlds" situation here, at least that's what HexGaming claims to be the case.
Potentiometers vs Hall Effect – Friction vs Magnets
In practice? Well, I can say that I tried really, really hard to feel a difference between the Phantom with HEX Hall Effect sticks, the potentiometer-based ones on the previous Phantom, and the potentiometer-based ones on my original DualSense. After extensive testing on just the feel of the sticks, the key takeaway I had was that the HEX Hall Effect sticks were just ever so slightly easier to move around.I mean, it does make sense though. Hall Effect modules, be they these custom HEX Hall Effect ones or otherwise, use magnets to determine movement. They literally work by measuring changes in a magnetic field to determine a stick's position. Potentiometer-based sticks work by measuring changes in voltage as a conductive wiper moves against a resistive contact pad. Potentiometers require the wiper and the pad to physically touch while the magnets in Hall Effect devices never have to touch. Simply put, there are fewer points of failure with Hall Effect.
This reduction of physical interaction between internal parts is a big reason the Hall Effect sticks feel different. Mind you, it's not a huge difference but it is one that you may notice if all you've never used a Hall Effect stick before. It may take you a couple of hours to fully adjust to. After maybe 30 minutes of play time you really won't notice this slight difference.
The big reason potentiometer-based sticks tend to exhibit stick drift far more often and far faster than the magnet-based Hall Effect sticks is also due to that whole "fewer points of failure" mentioned above. Over time, the constant rubbing of the wiper against the resistive contact pads can alter the voltage being read. If you wear the pad down enough the resistance value of the stick's neutral position can change. The expected values can also suddenly change simply by dirt or debris getting on those pads. Suddenly, your controller is expecting one value for neutral, but neutral is now this new value. The controller interprets this as a stick input. This is when your character will sometimes move on their own, or when the game camera starts to have a mind of its own. This is what stick drift is and it sucks.
With fewer points of failure, Hall Effect sticks should be more reliable for a lot longer than potentiometer-based devices. Hall Effect are not perfect though. While the magnets used should be good for several million cycles, there are other components that will probably break down first. There's the spring that recenters sticks when you let go that could end up failing. Maybe the rubber on top of the stick starts to deteriorate or the plastic housing cracks from an accidental drop. Still, a controller with Hall Effect modules should last you a hell of a lot longer than basically any potentiometer-based controllers.
If you want a more detailed explanation of potentiometer-based sticks vs Hall Effect, I suggest checking out this short but highly informative article from iFixit.
Calibration Tool Box
Ok, but what if something does go wrong? What if there is a bit of drift, or the circularity of the sticks isn't quite what I want them to be? What do I do then? Just as they did with their base Phantom controller, HexGaming came up with a rather great solution to put control (no pun intended) of tweaks and minor fixes into your own hands.On the base Phantom, HexGaming offers the DRIFIX module. This is a little module built into the controller where you can turn four screws to recalibrate your controller and eliminate any minor stick drift that may arise. On the Phantom Pro with their HEX Hall Effect modules, they use a custom calibration tool box. This little device connects to the controller via a tiny included ribbon cable. Two of these ribbon cables are included in the package.
This toolbox works in conjunction with essentially any of the available web-based gamepad tester sites. HexGaming even hosts their own version of it. The calibration method is a little complicated, so I'll leave the heavy lifting to this calibration tutorial video from HexGaming should you want to take a look at the process yourself. It basically allows owners of the Phantom with the HEX Hall Effect modules to re-center their sticks, fine-tune circularity zones, and ensure that the sticks are hitting the proper limits on each X and Y axis.
Chances are pretty good that you will almost never have to use this calibration tool box. I took at look at how well calibrated my Phantom Pro was out of the box and every measurement fell within the expected ranges detailed on HexGaming's site. I did go through the whole calibration process just to see how easy or hard it was. While a bit daunting at first, it ended up being pretty easy to re-calibrate both sticks after watching their tutorial.
Straight out of the box, the average error for the circularity on both sticks was around 6%-7%, give or take a few tenths of a percentage. After I went through the calibration process myself, I saw those numbers decrease ever so slightly. HexGaming claims that the circularity average error for official DualSense and DualSense Edge controllers ranges between 7%-9%. This means that even out of the box, the HexGaming Pro exhibited lower average error.
Here you can see some of my own test results. First is my official DualSense controller that was included with my PlayStation 5 that I received for Christmas 2022. Next is the original HexGaming Phantom controller that I received in June 2024. Finally, the results for the current HexGaming Phantom or Phantom Pro controller.
You can see that the Phantom Pro with the HEX Hall Effect modules features a much lower circularity error rate. Furthermore, you can also see in the official DualSense results show extremely problematic areas on the left diagonals. What isn't shown in these still images is how the official DualSense neutral position jitters rapidly to the left extremely often and it's all thanks to stick drift. While obtaining this data I was surprised to see such a high circularity error with the original Phantom, though I never noticed any issues with that controller while playing.
Pricing
If there is one area where I have some reservation it's with the pricing. The non-Hall Effect model now starts at $229.99. This is an increase in price of about $20-$40 from the initial launch pricing. The Phantom with the HEX Hall Effect modules bumps the price up to $249.99. Whether or not you choose to get the Phantom with the potentiometer-based modules or the HEX Hall Effect modules, you will get the following with your purchase: The controller, the eight interchangeable thumb sticks, adjustment tool, and user manuals.If you want the version that I was sent for review, it will cost you $279.99. For that price, you get the HEX Hall Effect sticks equipped controller, eight interchangeable thumb sticks, adjustment tool, user manuals, a 4m long USB-A to USB-C cable, and a durable feeling hard carrying bag.
Ignoring the actual cost and focusing solely on the actual product itself, it all comes across as a premium product. The controller is obviously extremely well made. Everything from the design, the look, the color schemes, and feel are all exquisite. The mouse-like clicks of the rear buttons and triggers when in the digital hair-trigger mode are very satisfying. I also really like the feel and build quality of the case. It feels like it can take a few bumps and keep everything inside intact. I also really appreciate that the included cable is a whopping 4 meters long.
Performance
The HexGaming Phantom is a stellar controller. The look and feel of it are about as perfect as you can possibly get. Really, it's flat-out great piece of kit. I loved using it on my PlayStation 5 in addition to my PC. On the PlayStation side, I spent a fair bit of time putting it through its paces with Astro's Playroom, same as I did with the original Phantom. It easily handled all the unique DualSense focused gameplay elements present throughout that title. The Phantom can also work with your mobile devices but I tend not to play controller type games on my phone.The four remappable buttons on the back have a great tactile click to them. The rubberized grips feel great in the hand. The triggers still feel fantastic whether in hair-trigger mode for FPS-like titles or adaptive for most everything else. Swapping in and out different sticks is fast and easy. Programming buttons and different profiles is also snappy after a brief learning period. Even using the calibration tool for the Hall Effect modules became almost second nature after the first time, though I highly doubt you will need to use it very often if ever.
The entire experience of using this controller was pure joy. I had no issues with any aspect of the Phantom. The Hall Effect sticks are such a welcome addition and should honestly be the standard going forward for all controllers, be they third-party or first-party.
Final Thoughts
If you are in the market for a new DualSense-based controller and price isn't a concern for you, then the HexGaming Phantom with the HEX Hall Effect sticks is an absolute no-brainer. The controller features all the phenomenal positives of the PlayStation 5 DualSense while providing some very nice premium additions. HexGaming even offers up a variety of color schemes to choose from. While I went with the "Dream Blue" for my initial review, the "Vision White" model I reviewed today is just as gorgeous. All color choices feature the same clean design and minimal branding.Even if you choose to not splurge for the model with the Hall Effect modules, I still highly recommend the Phantom that comes with the DRIFIX module. You will still be getting those additional thumb sticks, the no-slip grips, the four remappable back buttons, access to six custom profiles, and the triggers that you can quickly change from adaptive to clicky digital triggers.
With a HEX Hall Effect option now being offered, HexGaming addressed the biggest gripe I had with the Phantom from that earlier review. I have loved every moment spent using the Phantom and their HEX Hall Effect sticks these past couple of weeks (ignoring that I was using the non-Hall Effect model for months prior already). I have yet to be disappointed with either of the Phantom controllers and I expect that this new one with the Hall Effect sticks will last me for quite some time to come.
Score
Additional Information
- HexGaming Phantom
- Created by: HexGaming
- This is an affiliate link. This link or using affiliate code "TGN" will save you 5% off your purchase.
- Price: Starting at $229.99 (USD). With Hall Effect: $249.99. As reviewed (with HEX Hall Effect Sticks, cable, and carrying bag): $279.00.
- Platform(s) reviewed on: PlayStation 5 and PC (Also compatible with mobile)
- Release Date: Available right now
- This device was provided to Total Gaming Network for review purposes.
For most people playing modern games it is all about the sticks but i play a lot of fighting games and old games, a great dpad is a requirement for me and a total shot in the dark when buying a controller, most dpads suck and it's always prevented me from venturing into premium controller territory, the A button on an Xbox controller always starts wearing out before the sticks.
Speaking of Xbox 360, my original X360 controller is easily the controller that lasted the longest for me over the years but the RB started to become near completely unresponsive. I never had an issue with stick drift until the DualSense. Between that and the widespread Joy-con drift issue, it seems companies have really been cheapening out on sticks this gen. I know the Xbox Elite V2 has also had some issues but I believe that is more related to unresponsive buttons. Haven't looked too deeply into that.
That said, I re-read the whole affiliate thing after I finished writing my review and saw it will also get people 5% off of their purchase. I figured that would be nice to pass along if anybody does end up buying. Can save a few bucks here and there.
So, TGN is the code. You can save 5% off your purchases if you use it.