Need a Phone With a Cooler and Rear Triggers? OnePlus Is Dropping a Device Only Mobile Shooter Fans Will Get

OnePlus has confirmed the date of the Ace 6 Ultra gaming smartphone reveal — the new device will be shown off as soon as April 28. But the real surprise isn't just the phone itself — it's the unusual accessory launching alongside it.

Judging by the teasers, the accessory is a snap-on case with an ergonomic grip and extra physical controls. The design includes four programmable buttons on the rear panel, letting you move some actions from the touchscreen to tactile keys. This should make life easier for those used to playing with two thumbs, while also opening up more options for experienced users who rely on multitouch. The controller case also has an active cooler built in, designed to keep the phone from overheating during long gaming sessions. On top of that, the accessory features an extra USB-C port, so you can charge the smartphone without taking off the gamepad.

The controller, called the Gun God Gamepad in its Chinese version, is positioned as a hybrid input device: you aim and move with touchscreen taps, while physical triggers handle shooting and extra actions. The gamepad's polling rate, according to early info, hits 1,000 Hz, which puts it on par with pro-level accessories.

As for the OnePlus Ace 6 Ultra's internals, the manufacturer has already revealed key specs. The phone is built around the flagship MediaTek Dimensity 9500 chipset and packs a 6.78-inch display with a 165 Hz refresh rate. Battery capacity comes in at a hefty 8,600 mAh — pretty impressive even by gaming phone standards. It also supports 100W fast wired charging. According to a leak, the upcoming OnePlus 16 might be one of the first to get LPDDR6 RAM.

OnePlus hasn't revealed the price of either the smartphone or the controller yet. It's also unknown whether the accessory will be sold separately or included with certain versions of the Ace 6 Ultra. Given recent rumors that the company is working on its own handheld console, this announcement could be seen as a stepping stone in expanding the brand's gaming push. We'll just have to wait until April 28 to see how seamlessly the new gamepad works with the smartphone — and whether it lives up to expectations.

What do you think? Can hybrid solutions like this replace full-fledged handheld consoles, or are they still a compromise for mobile gaming? Drop your thoughts in the comments.