SteelSeries 'Stratus' Wireless Gaming Controller Now Available for Pre-Order

Following the release of the Logitech Powershell and MOGA Ace Power, gaming peripheral company SteelSeries today announced its Stratus iOS 7 gaming controller. Unlike the other two controllers, the Stratus is a completely wireless accessory that connects through Bluetooth instead of using the Lightning port on an iOS device.

steelseries_stratus2
Featuring console-style controls such as a directional pad, two analog sticks and four pressure sensitive face buttons, the Stratus' Bluetooth capabilities allows connectivity for up to four controllers. The device also includes a protective cover that doubles as an extended grip.

Our sister site TouchArcade had the opportunity to spend some extended time with the SteelSeries Stratus, and has provided a detailed review outlining the strengths and weaknesses of the controller. While the device was given high marks for being useable with any iOS 7 device and an impressive battery life of over ten hours, criticisms centered around the high price tag and the comfort issues that the controller's small design creates. Despite those criticisms, TouchArcade stated that the SteelSeries Stratus is “without a doubt the best controller out there.“

Another positive aspect of the SteelSeries Stratus was its ability to work well with Apple's Lighting Digital AV Adapter while gaming:

Also, obviously, this begins to open the door to the strange new world that is treating your iPhone like a portable game console hooked up to your TV. You could technically do this with the Moga Ace Power and Logitech Powershell, but it required beaming your video output via AirPlay, which arguably is the least ideal of all possible solutions given the significant amounts of nearly unplayable lag AirPlay introduces. Wiring your iPhone or iPad direct to your TV via the Lightning Digital AV Adapter significantly mitigates this.


Currently, games such as Dead Trigger 2, Asphalt 8: Airborne, and Bastion offer controller support, with additional developers pledging to build controller support into their apps now that the hardware is available to consumers.

The SteelSeries Stratus sells for $99.99 and is available now for pre-orders.

Top Rated Comments

tbayrgs Avatar
127 months ago
Yes Yes and No!!!!!!!

Yes this is exactly what the iOS controller should be and yes to Steel Series! Big No on the price. I somehow think they will have to revise that for any kind of sales though. Its blatant that they are taking advantage here.

Just noted that there isn't any shoulder buttons!!!! Arrrrrghhhh! It looked too good to be true!
Am I the only one surprised that there's no shoulder triggers?

Also, I'd like an option to hook up my iPhone to it... You need two hands to hold the controller, then an extra one to hold the iPhone...
No shoulder buttons and price kills it for me unfortunately.
Are all of you seriously that lazy?

It has 4 shoulder mounted buttons. Here's a revolutionary thought---check out their website (http://steelseries.com/products/controllers/steelseries-stratus-wireless-gaming-controller#section-stratus-wireless) and spend a few seconds looking at the specs. Jeez...
Score: 6 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Modano Avatar
127 months ago
Maybe Apple and their users will take gaming seriously one day. Nope.

Like building in support for a game controller?

----------

The article says it's available for pre-order but I can't find the link to do that on the site. Anyone see it?

I can't wait for this. I travel a lot and would definitely get $99 of value out of this. I'm sure the price will drop over time and the number of supported games is growing pretty quickly, considering that the controllers have only existed for, what, four weeks now?
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Elbon Avatar
127 months ago
When will companies understand nobody wants wireless game controllers for their iPhones and iPads.

I want a wireless game controller for my iPad. On-screen controls are a pain.

----------

App's on an iOS ATV or type media device included, or evolved from an Apple TV set, is a 'When', rather than as 'If'.

I used to think so, but I have been waiting for this since the first-gen ATV (2007) and it still hasn't happened.
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)
tevion5 Avatar
127 months ago
They have a macbook runnin IOS 7?
Worst advertising ever...

Don't know about you, but I've never seen a MacBook with the apple logo on its side...
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)
buzzardo Avatar
127 months ago
Does it work with osx Mavericks too?

edit: so, according to their website its ios7 only. No osx mentioned. That seems stupid.
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)
CplBadboy Avatar
127 months ago
Yes Yes and No!!!!!!!

Yes this is exactly what the iOS controller should be and yes to Steel Series! Big No on the price. I somehow think they will have to revise that for any kind of sales though. Its blatant that they are taking advantage here.

Just noted that there isn't any shoulder buttons!!!! Arrrrrghhhh! It looked too good to be true!
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)

Popular Stories

Multi Display CarPlay 1

All-New Apple CarPlay Launching Later This Year With These 5 New Features

Friday September 29, 2023 11:29 am PDT by
At WWDC 2022 last year, Apple previewed the next generation of CarPlay, promising deeper integration with vehicle functions like A/C and FM radio, support for multiple displays across the dashboard, personalization options, and more. Apple said the first vehicles with support for the next-generation CarPlay experience would be announced in late 2023, but it has still not shared any additional...
iPhone 15 Pro lineup

Apple to Address iPhone 15 Pro Overheating Issue With iOS 17 Update

Saturday September 30, 2023 9:28 am PDT by
Apple plans to release an iOS 17 update to address a bug that may contribute to the reported iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max overheating issue, according to a statement the company shared today with MacRumors and Forbes reporter David Phelan. Apple also says some recent updates to third-party apps have overloaded the system and contributed to the overheating issue. The report notes that...
iphone se 4 modified flag edges

iPhone SE 4 Details: Action Button, USB-C Port, Face ID, and More

Wednesday September 27, 2023 1:34 pm PDT by
Significant changes are expected to arrive with Apple's fourth-generation iPhone SE, in terms of both design and hardware, MacRumors has learned. The iPhone SE 4, known internally under the codename Ghost, is expected to receive a new design derived almost entirely from the base model iPhone 14. According to our sources, the iPhone SE 4 will use a modified version of the iPhone 14 chassis...
BMW Logo iPhone 15 Pro

Warning: BMW Wireless Charging May Break iPhone 15's Apple Pay Chip

Sunday October 1, 2023 6:14 am PDT by
If you have an iPhone 15 and drive a BMW, it might be best to avoid charging the device with the vehicle's wireless charging pad for now. Over the past week, some BMW owners have complained that their iPhone 15's NFC chip no longer works after charging the device with their vehicle's wireless charging pad, according to comments shared on the MacRumors Forums and X, formerly known as Twitter. ...
iPhone 16 Side Feature

iPhone 16 and 16 Pro: Preliminary Weights and Dimensions

Friday September 29, 2023 12:34 pm PDT by
MacRumors has obtained preliminary information on the weights and dimensions planned for the iPhone 16, iPhone 16 Plus, iPhone 16 Pro, and iPhone 16 Pro Max. The information corroborates previous reports suggesting that the iPhone 16 Pro and 16 Pro Max will feature larger displays. iPhone 16 and 16 Plus Current information suggests that the iPhone 16 and 16 Plus will maintain the same...
CarPlay SharePlay

CarPlay Not Working for Some iPhone 15 Users, Possibly Because of USB-C Cables

Friday September 29, 2023 2:27 pm PDT by
CarPlay is not working as expected for some iPhone 15 users, an issue that is likely linked to the transition to USB-C. There are multiple complaints from MacRumors readers and Reddit users who are unable to get CarPlay to work with their new devices. Cable type and available port options are a common theme in the CarPlay reports, with many of the functionality problems linked to USB-A to...
iPhone 15 USB C Port Keynote

Some USB-C Power Banks Fail to Work With iPhone 15

Thursday September 28, 2023 2:06 pm PDT by
Apple added a USB-C port to the iPhone 15 lineup this year, allowing it to work with USB-C cables, USB-C power banks, and more. It turns out that some USB-C battery packs are not working properly with Apple's iPhone 15, resulting in charging issues. As highlighted on Reddit and the MacRumors forums, not all existing USB-C power banks can be used with the iPhone 15 models, perhaps due to the...