Saul
Back paddles button broke after a month of use! Was starting a game up when I noticed my left paddle not clicking anymore. That’s when I saw the tiny plastic stem that pushes down the button broke on the inside. Really sucks because the controller didn’t last even a year for the price. I will be contacting support and will update you guys and what happens next.
Morgan
One of the best controllers to play on
Lee phelps
I used this controller for approximately 5 months and encountered an issue, firmware related. The quality of the controller is very nice. A little heavy but feels good in hands. After several attempts of contacting customer service, submitting a video identifying the issue, a replacement controller is being shipped to me. We will see how the 2nd controller goes!
Dave S.
I like the clicky, tactile feel of the buttons as well as the snappiness of the sticks. Overall it's a very well designed piece of hardware with nice grips and an anti-smudge matte finish on the front plate. The price does match the build quality from a hardware perspective. The RGB and the center screen are completely unnecessary and can be extremely distracting during gameplay for me. This would easily be a five star were it not for the absolutely ghoulish software experience. This controller will not commit to a firmware update, which renders it only partially useable on my portable Linux gaming build.
Eek
The Apex 5 was purchased to play Forza Horizon 6 on PC. I’d already tried the game with an Xbox Elite 2, and a modded DualShock controller (back button addition.)
I was particularly interested to test how the trigger feedback would improve game play, given that I’d used and enjoyed the triggers on the DualShock. On that score, the Apex 5 is a win.
The adaptive triggers on the Apex are equal to the DualShock’s (requires custom PC software to read Forza telemetry for DualShock support). The Apex software provides support on a per-game basis, and the recent Forza games FH5 and FH6 are supported and work nicely.
The ability to adjust the joystick center and sensitivity on the Apex in software is also equal to the Xbox Elite 2 software for my usage.
If I could remove half a star, it’d be because of the software. It’s in a translation-in-progress state. For example, I clicked something during installation that triggered a license agreement that I rejected.. I didn’t figure out what that was all about.
The Apex is too new (July ‘26) for a durability opinion, so I’ll see how that goes. And as another reviewer noted, it feels a touch small for my size L hands. The Apex and Elite are both narrower than a DualShock, but larger where it rests in the palm of the hands with the Elite being the chunkiest.
Matt
I was absolutely one of those people that was certain no third-party company you could ever compete with the first party controllers. I held out on that till just last year when I grew up through that super Nintendo and subsequent generations, third-party controllers were the worst not anymore.
This blows the Xbox elite out of the water by a country mile. It makes them look like they’ve been sitting on their asses since the Xbox 360 Duke redesign came out and haven’t changed a thing the Apex looks like an Xbox controller, but it’s improved in every way. It’s basically a dual sense underneath and no higher praise can be awarded to a controller than that the dual senses amazing besides it’s horrendous battery life four hours. 4 Are you kidding me PlayStation but the flight easily gets 40+ hours. This is the king of controllers. If you want the best this is it. I’ve bought much more expensive scuff controllers. I’ve had the Astros. None of them are as good.
𝐿𝒾𝓋𝒾𝓃𝑔 𝓉𝒽𝑒 𝒹𝓇𝑒𝒶𝓂!
The FLYDIGI Apex 5 feels like a high-end controller right out of the box. The build feels solid in hand and the layout is familiar enough that it doesn’t take long to get used to. The RGB light bar and small screen give it a modern look, almost like a mix between a controller and a smart device.
In actual use on PC, the response feels quick and consistent. Inputs feel tight, and it handles fast movement in games without feeling sluggish. The Forceflex joysticks feel smooth and accurate, and the triggers have a nice adjustable feel that can be set depending on the type of game I’m playing.
The battery life has been decent for regular sessions, and charging is straightforward with the built-in battery. I also like that it connects without much hassle once it’s set up, and it stays stable during gameplay without disconnecting or lagging.
There are a lot of features built into this controller, and while that’s cool, it can feel a bit overwhelming at first. The small LCD screen and extra settings take some time to get used to, especially if you just want something simple to pick up and play.
For value for the money, it feels like you’re getting a lot of tech packed into one controller. It definitely leans more toward a customizable, feature-heavy experience rather than a simple plug-and-play feel.
Overall, I’ve enjoyed using it. It performs well in games, feels responsive, and has a lot of customization options, but it may be more than you need if you prefer a very basic controller setup.
CuriousIncubus
To preface, I have only used this controller for Elden Ring, Elden Ring: Nightreign, and Digimon Story: Time Stranger. Clocking at around 150 hours of use.
This is an incredible feeling (and looking) controller. No issues with input delay. In my opinion, it has one of the best d-pads and the smoothest analog sticks you could hope to find. It features customizable options going above and beyond what my ape-brain typically needs. Extra buttons, a set of paddles, and a downloadable app for button mapping and macros.
However, all it takes is one persistent issue to tarnish its premium value. After 100 hours of dodge-rolling, the face button for that mechanic (B button, or “O” for DualSense users) began to stick intermittently. For me, this gets remedied by removing the front plate and wiggling the button in question until it becomes tactile again. Not the end of the world (though it doesn’t spell a strong future for my Apex 5), but it is pretty concerning to see in a controller that costs around $150. For comparison, my $60 DualSense chugged through 500 hours of gaming before experiencing any mechanical issues (squeaky LT).
While I don’t regret my purchase, I cannot recommend the Apex 5 to anyone who isn’t comfortable with having to optimize or maintain it. If you just want to plug and play, you’ll see some rather diminishing returns with this controller.
Salvador Cabeza
Nunca compren mandos Flydigi, tienen un serio problema con el Drift que nunca han solucionado, no les crean por mas antidrift que digan que tienen, no duran ni los 3 meses y eso que no lo use tanto.
Ethan
I’ve been using the Octopus 5 controller for a while now, and overall it’s a product with both clear strengths and some noticeable drawbacks.
Starting with the positives. The design looks really good, especially with the customizable RGB light strips. Even when I’m not using it, it looks great sitting on my desk as a sort of tech-style decoration. The software side is also solid — adaptive trigger support is available for a lot of games. Many of the titles I play, like Horizon and Silent Hill, are already supported, which definitely enhances immersion.
Another big highlight is the stick tuning. The deadzone calibration is excellent. In Apex, when I use an Xbox Elite controller with zero deadzone, it often feels very “floaty” and hard to control. But with this controller, even at very low or no deadzone settings, it feels stable and precise with no noticeable drift. Combined with the 1000Hz polling rate, the responsiveness is really impressive and makes a clear difference in fast-paced games.
Now for the feel. The analog sticks deserve special praise — they’re easily the most comfortable I’ve used so far. I’ve tried all three major brands before, and this one feels noticeably smoother and more precise. The D-pad is also excellent. The diamond-shaped design helps prevent accidental diagonal inputs, which makes a big difference in fighting games like Street Fighter 6. The feedback is well-balanced too — not too soft, not too stiff.
That said, there are some downsides. First, adjusting the stick tension requires opening the controller, and before you can do that, you have to remove the D-pad. This is honestly a pretty big drawback. The D-pad is extremely tight, and I was genuinely worried about breaking it the first time I tried to pull it off. It’s not very user-friendly. Another issue is the size — the controller is quite large, roughly similar to a DualSense Edge. It might not be comfortable for people with smaller hands (though it’s fine for me since I have larger hands). Lastly, while the buttons use micro-switches, they are quite loud. In a quiet environment, the clicking noise could easily disturb others nearby.
Overall, this is a controller that excels in design and feel, but still has room for improvement in terms of usability and ergonomics. If you care most about aesthetics, stick quality, responsiveness, and game compatibility, it’s a great choice. But if you prioritize quiet operation, portability, or easy customization, you might want to think twice.
Jake
Controller overall decent, good feel on the buttons, D Pad, analog sticks but trigger locks aren't great. You have to pull the trigger past the lock point for it to register. This is probably due to poor sensitivity/sensor on the trigger or defective part. Controller is only 2 months old. Would like to hear back from the manufacturer if this is supposed to be "normal". Or it's just an issue with my controller. Oddly I notice it more on the right trigger vs the left trigger.
Thorne
Ok this thing is great for the fun value alone, the little screen looks really good (much better than in my video) and most things are adjustable easily, yes it's expensive but it also makes first party controllers look and feel like a joke.
Yes you can put whatever you want on the screen, mine permanently plays that Shrek gif.
Randytinak
Controller developed stick drift within 4 months and the company wont fix it. DO NOT PURCHASE THIS CHEAP CHINESE TRASH!
Grant C.
This is my favorite controller! It's very responsive and tactile. The joysticks are smooth. It feels comfortable in my hand, almost like it was made for it. Love the back programable buttons and two stage trigger.
This remote is worth it. It feels strong and like it's built to last. I've had it a few months and no issues at all. I add add joysticks thumb extenders, but that's my personal preference.
Customer
Only had it now a few weeks however it is absolutely flawless and my daughter was able to write her name in the extra light screens that were offered. Great connectivity and the battery life is great since anytime put it down you it on the charger. I have a pc with no Bluetooth and it works amazing. Needed some driver updates and a controller update out of the box but it is to be expected.
Customer Review
I take my gaming seriously. Sure, you can game with a five dollar mouse, but high quality equipment can make a difference. FLYDIGI has been making quality controllers for awhile now. I was super excited to pick up their latest and greatest, the Apex 5.
Quality: This is ultra high quality. You can feel it in the weight, the feel, and every button press. This was not just built, it was engineered.
Connectivity: USB C, Dongle, or Bluetooth to the PC. This is where it loses a star. Why offer bluetooth if it can't do everything. Instead, I am forced to connect another dongle to my machine. Bluetooth will not let you use the customization software.
Function: All of the buttons and sticks work great and have good travel. You can adjust your sticks and travel. On top of that, you can customize your button functions. This is the Cadillac. It does everything.
I have extra large hands and it is still comfortable.
This controller is a great value. Make bluetooth connection better and it would be perfect.
Benjamin Noah
UPDATE: Opted for a replacement after my first Apex 5 broke (original review below). The replacement broke the same way within the first week! See the attached video. The left stick won’t register any vertical inputs. I barely even play games, so this is after only few hours of light use. Don’t waste your time or your money on this hot garbage.
ORIGINAL REVIEW: Unfortunately, this controller has the same issue as the Apex 4 -- the left stick will break after only a few days of use. This one broke after 35 days. Even the Flydigi app doesn't register any vertical movement in the controller test section. Completely unacceptable for a controller at this price point. And, at this point, after several years and iterations, I don't believe Flydigi will ever fix this problem.
Up until it breaks, it's great. It works well and the wireless connectivity is solid. But, again, after about 30 days of use, it will break and be unusable. It isn't a question of if, only when. Save your money.
jayvon23
Left joystick malfunctioning worst purchase
Joel Klein
Not recommend it apparently has a design flaw in less then a month the back paddle button has caved in. looks like it just small plastic wedges that hold it in place. I have used the controller for about 130hrs. got it on November 7 it broke on the November 30. Looks like the other one is starting to go failure also.
Tyler Roberts
I LOVE this controller. Until it breaks. This is my second one because I thought I had a lemon but it did the exact same thing and as others have wrote on here, the thumb stick plastic ring breaks and instant permanent stick drift. They need to come out with a fix for this soon.
Pulsar77
I don't have a gaming system but I do love video games. I have been playing them on my computer using the keyboard and mouse only but as any serious gamer knows, this is not a recipe for success. So when I saw this sophisticated controller I had to give it a try.
The build quality is excellent. It has a nice, sturdy feel and all the buttons and control knobs feel smooth and are very responsive. It has an onboard screen with configuration and other options and I was able to pair it effortlessly with my Mac. Despite the listing saying it does not work with Xbox, my Mac recognized it as an Xbox controller. Since I don't have an Xbox, I am uncertain it this means it actually DOES work with one. Check other reviews if you are interested in using this with an Xbox system.
I am using this to play a variety of games from first person shooters to racing games and it worked flawlessly with each. I was able to react in the games much better than with a keyboard and mouse and am excited that I will be able to advance much farther now that I have a good controller.
The controller has many more configurations and sophisticated features that I was unable to try because they don't apply to my situation, but baed on my experience with the controller, I expect that this will be an excellent, fun and versatile controller for your PC or gaming system.
Letycia
Really ergonomic. Responsive. Feels premium with a nice weight to it.
T. heath
Every single detail from the tactile feedback of the buttons to the modular flexibility and premium construction shows that this was designed for gamers who take performance seriously. Whether you’re into competitive FPS titles, racing games, or precision based fighters, this controller gives you professional grade control that feels years ahead of most standard options.
Design & Build Quality
The design is stunning. It has a matte white finish with sleek geometric lines that give it a futuristic and tactical look. The textured rubberized grips feel secure yet soft, offering exceptional comfort during long sessions. Even after several hours of gaming, my hands don’t feel fatigued something I can’t say about most other controllers I’ve used. The build feels solid and dense, but not heavy, with no creaks, flexing, or hollow spots. Everything about it feels expensive and extremely well engineered.
The controller has added triggers on the bottom of the controller that can be mapped which I love, Soo much better to have triggers in this position I don't why this isn't a standard to be honest. The RGB is programmable via its included software, has tons of options to customize the lights very cool feature and easy to set up. Same goes for the button mapping as well.
The one neg I would say is the cost however you do get a lot more out of this controller than a standard console controller for 80, little more $ gets you tons more functionality and quality. Overall love this controller!
rc
Please check my other ones if you're looking for a controller to meet your gaming needs - I have written quite a few :)
DISCLAIMER - Since February 2025, I have been associated with Flydigi as a moderator in their Discord server and this has given me access to some of their controllers at no monetary cost to myself. Despite this, I am not obligated to leave positive reviews and will continue to give my honest thoughts on any controller I review from Flydigi.
My review won't come up as a verified purchase, but I beta tested the Apex 5 and received an initial production copy of the controller at the end of testing. I will provide a photo so you can be certain I am an owner.
Being an Apex 4 main previously, if the controller was good enough, I would have wanted to upgrade with my own money… so I'll discuss my thoughts about that in the conclusion.
tl;dr version:
The Apex 5 is the best controller I have used for 3D gaming, hands down. It improves on the Apex 4 which was my previous favorite controller, but I'd say it's evolution not revolution. The rear layout has changed to be more like competitors, the controller is more responsive (especially in joystick latency), and the feel of the controller is still weighty and solid. The dpad is less prone to false diagonals compared to the Apex 4 and you still get the adaptive triggers that interested me in the Apex 4 last year. Unfortunately, like last year's Apex 4 joystick breaking problems, there are quality assurance issues that cause concern. I personally have not had any glaring problems with either my beta test unit or the production unit, but this does not mean that you will not. I still give it 5 stars as a controller in general as I think you won't find a better overall package, but just be aware and if you start to notice issues then exchange / return as soon as you can.
----- Full review -----
Features:
Face Buttons: Microswitch. Muted, less wobble than Apex 4. I like them.
Center Buttons: Tactile. Nothing special.
Shoulder Buttons: Tactile. Nothing special. Same with extra top macro buttons.
Triggers: Adaptive. No physical stops, but simulated trigger stops - this can take some getting used to.
Joysticks: Hall - Flydigi's own design which is generally better than other hall sticks.
Dpad: Tactile - may vary… my beta unit feels heavier than my production unit.
Gyro: Yes (I don't test this as I'm not a gyro user). Going by what Discord users say, it's fine on Switch but bad with Xinput on PC.
Extra Buttons: 4 Rear, 2 Top. All tactile switches.
Standout Features:
Adaptive triggers - These can act like a DualSense controller. I can't say I've tested this as I don't have a lot of games that can use the feature, and the ones I do are not ones I play regularly. It also requires use of their Space Station Software. I tend to just use simulated trigger stops on mine since I rarely have a use for far trigger travel. The simulated stops are slightly stronger than the Apex 4 so it takes more force to push through them.
Ergonomics & Functionality:
The Apex 5 has a roughly Xbox controller shape, which is generally my favorite controller shape as it provides a good ergonomic angle and my fatigue levels / pain levels are always lowest with this shape.
The Apex 5 retains the general layout from the Apex 4, but the home button is now the Flydigi logo in the center of the controller and the second bottom button is now a turbo button instead. Also, the layout of the rear has changed on the Apex 5 compared to the Apex 4. They have gone from a 4 button system to a 2 button, 2 paddle system that aligns more with what is seen in other controllers. This personally was a minus for me because I enjoyed the 4 buttons as it gave me a good place to rest my fingers and keep a nice grip on the controller, but the paddles are removable which gives me that space back. Since there are also new top buttons, if I want to use 4 additional buttons I still can by using the two back buttons and the two top buttons with the paddles removed. This is how I use the controller since it gives me a more secure grip. Overall, playing games on the Apex 5 remains a very comfortable experience for me. I think the 4 was a little bit better though as there is a very slight difference in shape, and I didn't have to remove any functionality to have a comfortable grip.
The face buttons feel about the same as the Apex 4, but they have improved in stability - there is far less wobble than the Apex 4 buttons had.
I think it's better than the Apex 4 in accuracy without being too gated. This has been my favorite dpad to use for Tetris outside of the 8BitDo Pro 3.
The joystick tops have shrunk slightly in size but have received an upgrade in grip texture. They retained the adjustable tension from the Apex 4, but unfortunately still requires removal of the faceplate to do so. The Apex line in general tends to lean more "form over function" in some regards so it's not something totally breaking for me, but it would be nice if you didn't have to do so. On the plus side though, assuming you're not using joystick caps that increase the size of the joystick, you can now remove the faceplate without popping the joysticks off due to the size reduction of the joystick tops. You still have to remove the dpad though.
I had no issue connecting the controller to PC (Wired/Dongle), iOS (Bluetooth), or Switch/Switch 2 (Wired/Bluetooth). In early versions of the software you couldn't use any custom settings for Switch modes, but in the most recent version you now can. I haven't attempted to connect it to my one Android device but it should be compatible. I haven't had any functional issues with the controller as far as playing.
The controller has a 1000Hz polling rate, which I would say is the current standard. Please check the next section if you plan to remap keys though.
Joystick latency, which was arguably the most glaring performance issue with the Apex 4, is greatly improved in the Apex 5. This controller should generally meet any player's performance requirements wired or wireless via dongle now.
I do want to add a note about DirectInput. There no longer is a DirectInput specific mode on the Apex 5, but do want to clarify that it does not mean that usage with remapping software such as reWASD and Steam Input is not happening. These companies are working with Flydigi to support the Apex 5 at a later time.
QC / Durability Concerns:
As I've stated in the beginning disclaimer, I'm a moderator in the Flydigi Discord so I do get firsthand visibility for issues that people come in to report. While I personally have not experienced any game-breaking issues, there are a multitude of issues out there. I will list what I have seen reported and what I have experienced myself:
Joystick Issues - These are probably the most concerning. I've seen cracked joysticks, reports of joysticks losing all tension, joysticks feeling loose, and joysticks making noises that they shouldn't as if they are hitting things. There's a lot of speculation on what is causing these issues, but Flydigi has not put out any official statements about it. Just be aware.
Dpad issues - I have seen / heard (in video) complaints about squeaky dpads. There's also potential that the additional dpad shapes that are sold in some stores can also exacerbate dpad issues.
Bumper buttons - I've seen reports of loose bumper buttons. This shouldn't affect gameplay but it may be annoying for some.
Firmware update issues - Many people are reporting that they aren't able to update firmware via the Windows software. I too have experienced issues trying to do so, and found that unless I use a USB 2.0 port connected directly to my motherboard I also get firmware update failures. I can only suggest trying all USB ports on your computer if you experience this. Unfortunately staff has not released any information about getting around this issue.
Polling rate - Remapping buttons in software to use keyboard keys or mouse buttons WILL result in a reduced polling rate. This is repeatable and verified by myself - it caps at 500Hz rather than 1000Hz when doing this. (UPDATE 11/18/2025: This has been confirmed to be a "feature," not a bug. Binding anything that isn't cloning a joystick button apparently halves the polling rate because it's opening a second data stream. Maybe this will change in the next generation of products but it will not be changing in this generation for sure.
Due to these issues, I would suggest thoroughly testing your controller out within the return/exchange period to make sure that you are satisfied.
Tests:
Test 1 - the Tetris dpad test. I play games on Tetris at as fast of a pace as I can (I'm roughly a 1 minute sprinter in modern Tetris games) and see how many false hard drops I get. This controller is better than the Apex 4 as far as false hard drops and I ended up setting my 2nd fastest ever dpad time at 52.21 seconds, only surpassed by the 8BitDo Pro 3 where I managed 51.86. I have since surpassed both of these times by switching to playing Tetris on leverless controllers. Moving forward, I will still test dpads on Tetris but I'll only be focusing on accuracy and won't be pushing my pace beyond what it takes to hit sub 60 sec.
Test 2 - (I'm basically considering scrapping this test because only older 8 bit resolution joysticks fail it and basically everything that comes out now exceeds that. I may start just using software designed to test joysticks in the future.) Practical Joystick Resolution. If you play Genshin Impact, there is a function that allows you to set the time of the day, and you can get a good idea of how much resolution a joystick has by how easily you can set a precise minute on the clock. This controller passes (and it's probably the last time I'll include this test on a review).
Test 3 - Is this really on? With some wireless controllers, just plugging in the dongle acts as if the controller is turned on even if it is not. This can be an issue if you use multiple controllers on your PC and don't want one to constantly be "player 1." A pass means that you can leave the dongle connected without it registering as a controller and fail means that the dongle itself takes up a controller slot. This controller: PASS
In Conclusion:
Should you upgrade if you have an Apex 4? I don't think the Apex 5 would have offered enough to convince me to upgrade from the Apex 4, and if you aren't sensitive to joystick latency, I think the same is generally true for most people. Likely I would have ended up upgrading anyway after I saw the special edition though… but disregarding that, I think you should only upgrade from 4 to 5 if you're sensitive to joystick latency, or you really feel like the rear button / paddle layout is a game changer for you.
In the end, the Apex 5 is an evolution over the Apex 4, and I think it's the best controller I've ever used for 3D gaming. If I lived in a bubble where I had no news of other people's issues and someone handed me an Apex 5, I 100% would recommend the controller. I still happily pick it up to play Genshin, or any other 3D game right now, and I even have the Castorice special edition arriving hopefully in the next week or two. I really wish I could leave it at that, but I have to be honest that the number of issues I'm seeing from other people is alarming.
So while I feel the controller itself is 5 stars and a great piece of equipment, I have to honestly give a cautious recommendation. If you see any weird issues or the performance starts to degrade within the first few weeks of owning the controller, be on top of it and exchange/replace. If you do get a unit that functions well though, I find it hard to imagine that you would not be happy with its performance.
D.B.
My son said this is difficult to get paired and doesn't always stay paired. I've seen in a couple of reviews where people have used it with their Xbox but we can't seem to get that to work. I also don't like that there is no place to store the dongle that comes with the controller. Makes it very easy to lose. Until we can troubleshoot and get this to work more consistently, it is a very expensive paperweight.
Joseph
This controller truly feels premium. The build quality is excellent, and every part feels highly engineered. The joysticks are smooth and incredibly precise, have nearly perfect circularity (under 0.5% on both), with tension that feels natural whether I’m playing a shooter or a fighting game. I was initially unsure about the D-pad design, but it performs wonderfully with smooth, responsive inputs. The face buttons have a light mechanical click that’s very satisfying.
The built-in LCD screen and RGB light bar are standout features that make this controller feel futuristic. The screen is bright and functional, letting me tweak settings right on the controller, while the RGB lighting gives it a sleek, customizable look. The adjustable stick tension and the ability to swap paddles on the back make it perfect for tailoring to different game styles. I also appreciate the included tool storage built right into the controller. It's a clever design detail that shows how much thought went into this controller.
Connectivity and responsiveness are top-notch. Whether wired or wireless, the latency is minimal and consistent, with no lag or ghosting in my testing. The vibration and adaptive triggers make games feel more immersive, especially racing and action titles (also customizable). Overall, this controller feels like a blend of performance and luxury, ideal for competitive gamers or anyone who wants the best tactile experience possible on PC or Switch.
Emily Harrison
10/09/2025
Controller feels awesome compared to my other pro controllers it’s a great price if you can get it on sale but the quality control is not where it needs to be for a controller of this price point. Upon opening the box i noticed the joystick had a crack on the ball of the joystick. Haven’t even used it once yet.
(Update )12/31/2025
One of the levers on the back doesn't click anymore, controller does have stick drift. The controller is still usable but again at this price point QC needs to be much better.
Review dude 101
This might be a bit of a nit-pick for some but for me it is huge, and I didn't know it was an issue I had until I used this controller.
The sticks "boing" when let go of, it absolutely drives me crazy while playing, I have to use over ear closed back headphones when using this because of the noise, I have tried full tension And low tension on the sticks And it only slightly goes away at low tension but not completely, then the sticks feel bad on that setting.
Everything about the controller though screams quality, the sticks feel great aside from the noise, the buttons are awesome and tactile on the front/ dpad/ back and top.
The menu is easy to navigate, the changes you can make are awesome, the battery lasts for full day sessions, and overall it feels/looks awesome.
all my other controllers make almost no noise, the Xbox one shown being my 2nd loudest out of five different controllers. This apex is just too distracting for me to use! And it bums me out especially considering the cost of this!
Customer
Now this is what I'm talking about!
Everything about this sucker feels totally next level, upper shelf, upper level, high class gamer extraordinaire. It does have a little bit of weight to it, which actually makes it feel more… Better? All the buttons are in the right spot. Nothing feels uncomfortable. I feel like this is the way a good controller is supposed to feel. I am kind of surprised at the weight of it. I feel like it should be a little bit lighter but again it feels kinda nice but make no mistake. The weight is noticeable and it's definitely hefty all in all. I think it's a very comfortable very responsive controller. Then again I'm kind of a boomer and I'm in my 40s and kids today. Have a better feel for the controllers than I do… I still like to do a first person shooter with keyboard and mouse, but whatever. But for things like rocket league or other type of games like that on the computer… You really can't beat it it's really kind of a great controller and I recommend it.
Garry C.
This review is for the Flydigi Apex 5 International version. Earlier versions of the controller had quality control issues which Flydigi in their Discord reports to have fixed and I myself did not find any issues.
Don't use the QR code on the manual to get a digital copy or pdf file where you have to translate the page. The best solution is to search for "Flydigi Discord", use the invite to join their Discord, then in the upper right search for "Apex 5 Manual" and you will find a link to an updated web page in English. Ignore the top link for "Video Tutorial" which asks you to enter a phone number, and simply use the other links which are all very helpful. The menu on the left hand side lets you move to various sections under "APEX 5".
The Flydigi Apex 5 is one of the heaviest controllers I have reviewed at 11.80 ounces compared to the 10.55 ounces of the Xbox Series X/S Controller which it is modeled after. The clear faceplate on top is smooth and the grips underneath have a rubberized texture and feel really nice. The 4 programmable buttons on the back (M1, M2, M3 and M4) have been completely changed from the Apex 4 and Vader 4 and are a big improvement. You can also choose to only have the 2 back buttons if you don't like the blades of the M3 and M4. There are also 2 more LM and RM buttons up top between the triggers.
With the screen you choose various connection methods. You can also map all 6 of the macro buttons, choose whether or not you want turbo on them, as well as select between 6 different trigger modes for each trigger. You can also switch between 4 different configs which you can tweak in the software. Under Setting you can adjust the language, the brightness of the display, the intensity of the vibration, and how soon the controller goes to sleep. Other settings must be changed in the software.
Flydigi Space Station Software 4.0: (PC)
The latest version of the Flydigi Space Station software (4.0) that works with the Apex 5. At first the software refused to recognize the controller, until Grok AI suggested I reinstall it using "Run as Administrator", and after that it worked for the most part. If it doesn't recognize the controller, close the software, use Task Manager to close the SpaceStationService by using "End task", then restart the software and the SpaceStationService. After using the software for some time I would suggest doing this every time you use the software because there is no need to have it always running in the background on your computer.
In the software you can tweak many things too numerous to mention, but some of the things you can do is create 4 profiles, turn on Fast Swap to change between them using the function button with one of the 4 face buttons, use adaptive trigger for games that support it, adjust the RGB lights to one of 5 different modes (or off) while adjusting the brightness, and tweak the vibration. You can also map any of the buttons to keyboard keys or mouse buttons, adjust the Circularity algorithm of each joystick to Rectangle or Circle, adjust the dead zone of each joystick, adjust the triggers manually and tweak them in any one of 6 different modes, and turn gyro on or off. You can choose any one of 48 different animation display options, upload one of your own, or have the default animation display off and still use the screen.
Update 10/4/25: There now is a firmware update in the software which allows you to keep your button remap settings as well as your custom RGB lights when moving from the PC to the Switch. (It may not keep other settings yet though.) Use the menu to the right of your profile and choose the last Switch option.
Vibration: 5 levels of vibration (20%, 40%, 60% (default), 80%, 100%) as well as off, which can be changed using only the display screen, or tweaked anywhere from 1% to 100% in the software
Battery: 1500mAh Good for "Week-Long Play on Single Charge". 3-4 hours to fully recharge.
RGB lights: RGB light bar that extends all across the lower bottom of the controller, as well as shining through a light panel on the left hand side of the controller which can be customized if you wish. (See pictures for the do-it-yourself blank panels they give you along with a scraper pin.)
Sticks: The tops of the sticks are concave, responsive, and have a fairly soft rubbery feel. They are smaller than the stick tops on the Apex 4 and Vader 4, and are similar to the size of the sticks on the Xbox Series X/S. This is a good thing since you can use thumb caps made for the Xbox Series X/S if you desire wider stick tops. You also get metal rings around the sticks. Unlike the tension force rings on the Flydigi Vader 4 Pro, this controller keeps the key option you must use to adjust the tension like the Apex 4. Some have complained about this, because you need to remove the faceplate, D-pad and both sticks to adjust the tension with the key located in the right side of the controller. But once you decide on what tension you like, I doubt very many people will need to constantly adjust the tension of their sticks mid-game. In the online Gamepad Tester, once the Circularity algorithm of each joystick was changed to Circle in the software, the circularity error rate was very low at 0.1%.
D-pad: Almost every controller I review these days has my new favorite D-pad, and this one is no exception. Just the right amount of tactile feedback and I really love the feel, and had no problem hitting any of the diagonals. A big improvement over their previous D-pad, being much more comfortable to use. While I could not pull off throwing fireballs with any consistency in Street Fighter II, (because of the short throw using the left stick was easier for me) you may have a different experience. I hope they stay with this D-pad moving forward because my thumb loves it. Absolutely my new favorite D-pad.
Buttons: The face buttons in an Xbox layout use mechanical microswitches, are responsive and very quiet with very little travel distance. Rounded on top and very comfortable to use, they also might be my new favorite face buttons. The shoulder buttons do not seem to have microswitches, but have a short throw with a bit of texture to them, and respond just fine as do the extra LM and RM macro button inside of the triggers which are easier to reach than other controllers with similar buttons like the BigBigWon Blitz 2. The back M1 and M2 buttons are the clickiest, with the M3 and M4 blades being slightly less so, but all are reachable and have short throws. A big improvement on the 4 back buttons of the Apex 4 and Vader 4.
Triggers: They seem to have copied the triggers on the Xbox Series X/S controller this time for the Apex 5. They also have very similar texture on them. There are no trigger stops unlike the Vader 4 and some have complained because if you try hard enough you can press through them. But I tested this, and you really have to try hard to do this. In the heat of battle there is no way you are pressing down that hard.
Function buttons: Select, Start, Logo, Turbo and FN buttons all work just fine.
PC performance:
Left stick polling rate and latency numbers using Gamepadla's polling.exe v1.3.1.1 software:
Switch mode:
Bluetooth: 65.78 Hz polling rate 15.20 ms avg latency jitter 11.24 ms max latency 28.99 ms
USB (Wired): 99.60 Hz polling rate 10.04 ms avg latency jitter 3.48 ms max latency 16.69 ms
XInput mode:
Bluetooth: 99.56 Hz polling rate 10.04 ms avg latency jitter 0.84 ms max latency 13.41 ms
USB (Wired): 723.07 Hz polling rate 1.38 ms avg latency jitter 0.70 ms max latency 6.08 ms
2.4G: 744.60 Hz polling rate 1.34 ms avg latency jitter 0.74 ms max latency 5.64 ms
A very good polling rate and low latency wired in XInput mode or using the 2.4G receiver with an even higher polling rate reported at the Gamepadla website. However, the Switch response was disappointing both over Bluetooth and wired over USB.
Use switch in the back and press Logo button to turn the controller on
Use switch in the back to turn the controller off
Press Logo button to wake the Switch
Flydigi Apex 5 connections tested and working:
Switch: Wired, Bluetooth
PC: Wired, 2.4G receiver, Bluetooth
Android 14 Smartphone: Bluetooth only
Android 11 Onn tablet: Bluetooth only
FireTV Cube (Fire OS7 - Android 9): Bluetooth only
Brook PS2 Converter (PS2 Connection): (v1.2.7.4 firmware) Wired, 2.4G receiver, Bluetooth
Brook XB2 Converter (Xbox 360 Connection): (v1.2.3.2 firmware) Wired, 2.4G receiver, Bluetooth
Pros: Display screen, large battery, comfortable to hold and use, 6 macro buttons, adjustable sticks, nice feeling stick tops, mechanical face buttons, great D-pad, lots of options to tweak in the PC software, works in all three modes on both my Brook converters
Cons: Disappointing response on the Switch
I was set to give this controller 5 stars until I saw the Bluetooth Switch response. The Bluetooth polling rate (65.78 Hz) is actually similar to the original Nintendo Pro Controller, but that controller is over eight years old now, and the jitter is much worse, and Gamepadla's Bluetooth latency numbers on the Switch at their website are even worse than mine. The USB (wired) connection was better, and improves on the Nintendo Pro Controller's USB (wired) response, but not by much. Over the past eight years better Switch controllers have been released, and a casual player that uses Bluetooth or mainly plays on the Switch should look elsewhere.
For example, two basic controllers that cost far less with much lower latency and jitter on the Switch.
One is Flydigi's own Dune Fox...
Flydigi Dune Fox $19.99
Bluetooth Switch Mode: 517.33Hz polling rate 1.93 ms avg latency jitter 0.74 ms max latency 5.00 ms
GameSir Tegenaria Lite (Wired only) $19.99
USB (Wired) Switch Mode: 903.34Hz polling rate 1.11 ms avg latency jitter 0.35 ms max latency 3.66 ms
The Switch connection seems to be low priority, as they just recently fixed button mapping and RGB lights now being saved for the Switch. I wish you could use the 2.4G dongle on the Switch like you can with many controllers, but you can't with the Apex 5.
All that being said, if you are a serious gamer on the PC, and want a top of the line controller that is super customizable, has maybe the best D-pad out there, adjustable sticks, every software tweak possible, and plan to use it wired or with the 2.4G dongle, this is an awesome controller for the PC. They've made some great improvements over the Apex 4 and Vader 4 and the Apex 5 is a worthy successor.
