Video summary

Flydigi Apex 5 - Some mistakes were made...

Main summary

Key takeaways

Product Review

Product reviewed

Flydigi Apex 5 (compared heavily against Flydigi Apex 4; includes several references to Nintendo’s Pro Controller 2 situation).

Key features mentioned

Ergonomics / shape

  • Slightly smaller and slimmer than Apex 4 (feels different when picked up).
  • Grip changes at the bottom:
    • Apex 4 is more bulky and offers better palm support.
    • Apex 5 removes that support, leaving the hand more tense.

New/changed controls

  • M5 & M6 return, labeled as LM and RM (described as similar to Apex 2 shortcuts).
  • Lacks certain Apex-style additions:
    • Still missing sliding buttons and the C/Z buttons (as noted by the reviewer).
  • Removable back paddles
    • Plastic paddles attach easily, but durability is questioned.
  • Back buttons changed to a paddle / raised design
    • When paddles are removed, the back button position becomes awkward.

Face buttons / inputs

  • ABXY buttons
    • Reviewer says they’re slightly softer than traditional controllers.
    • Notes ABXY resistance differences across Apex 4 revisions, but says Flydigi kept a preferred resistance on Apex 5.
  • Analog sticks
    • Smaller than previous model; maintain rough grip texture.
    • Backwards compatible: Apex 4 sticks fit on Apex 5.
    • Not compatible with stick protectors / ControlFreeks-style accessories anymore (sticks are a mismatch for accessories).
    • Stick module described as improved:
      • No internal restriction mechanism.
      • Shaft touches anti-friction rings → durability good, but “not smooth.”
  • D-pad
    • Shape changed; switches lighter to press.
    • Removable and somewhat backwards compatible, but it won’t work in the older controller.

Triggers

  • Thinner + transparent trigger design.
  • Release sound issue from Apex 4 is fixed.
  • Adaptive triggers:
    • Improved; reviewed as finally rivaling Sony.
    • Uses Flydigi effects in some games (“standard mode”).
    • Uses DualSense-like behavior in others (“DS mode”) and works “flawlessly,” dynamically switching on the fly.

Software + remapping / macro recording

  • On-the-go macro recording and remapping via button combos:
    • Holding turbo + pressing shortcuts can do what previously required a PC for macros.
    • Apex 4 could remap on screen but could not record macros.
  • Flydigi app upgrade:
    • Profiles: 4 profiles.
    • Profile swapping / transfer to Switch mode.
    • Advanced options mentioned: joystick dead zones/curves, gyro mapping options, trigger templates, templates support for adaptive triggers, etc.
    • PC input limitation:
      • Flydigi removed D-input, so gyro access currently relies on Switch mode, with plans for a future update.

Dock (Flydigi Dock)

  • Described as “best controller dock of the year.”
  • Polished/mirror-like front; dongle slot fits well.
  • Extra ports:
    • Extra USB-A ports and a USB-C to computer connection.
  • Features:
    • LCD display with many effects.
    • Wake-up on Nintendo Switch (but not fully working for Switch 2 yet).
    • Motion controls and a “capture” function button exists, but is glitched:
      • Button registers screenshot only; video record fails.
  • Dock behaviors:
    • Intelligent start, lighting sync, close on shutdown, and power animations.

Pros (as stated)

  • Performance / functionality: “best of the best”
    • Extra shortcuts (LM/RM) are “amazing.”
    • Macro recording + remapping without a PC is a major upgrade.
    • Lower latency and improved stick response.
    • Improved dongle connection speed/quality.
    • D-pad and buttons feel better.
    • Adaptive triggers improved and rival Sony, with more games supporting it than DualSense on an Apex controller.
  • Trigger experience
    • Apex 5 fixes Apex 4’s trigger release sound issue.
  • Overall controls quality
    • ABXY feel “pleasant and easy to press.”
    • D-pad “super responsive.”
    • Latency improvement includes analog sticks and buttons.

Cons (as stated)

Ergonomics / comfort problems

  • Main complaint: less comfortable for long sessions.
  • Switching back to Apex 4 avoids the issue and allows similar playtime without discomfort.
  • A “Nintendo Switch 2 Pro Controller” style mistake is referenced:
    • Apex 5 is treated as overly slimmed, reducing comfort.
  • Specific discomfort mechanism:
    • When thumb rests on the A button, the thumb angle becomes more like 90°, causing thumb strain after time.
    • Grip bottom removal forces fingers into a more cramped/tense hold; palm support is worse.

Back paddle design drawbacks

  • Paddles are plastic and durability is uncertain (though they “seem pretty strong”).
  • Back buttons become worse because the button sits awkwardly between finger sections:
    • Pressing requires moving the finger backward.
    • Less comfortable than Apex 4 where it aligns at the fingertip.
  • Even though paddles are removable, removing them leaves that awkward back button position.

Grip texture

  • Grip texture changed to something “super rough” (likened to rubberized sandpaper).
  • Especially problematic for fighting games / heavy mashing, hurting fingers (reviewer highlights pain around a specific finger area).

Accessory compatibility loss

  • Smaller analog sticks mean stick protectors / ControlFreeks-style accessories likely won’t work.

Vibration / rumble issue

  • Modern games with more detailed rumble get mistranslated into strong vibrations that can keep vibrating indefinitely.
  • Only solution mentioned: turning it off.

Switch 2 compatibility limitations (dock)

  • Wake-up works for Switch, not Switch 2 yet.
  • Capture/video record is glitched on Switch 2 (screenshot only).

Stick feel / implementation detail

  • Stick system is good for durability but “not smooth” due to shaft touching anti-friction rings.
  • Reviewer wanted a frictionless restriction mechanism (like nextG features used by others) for smoother feel.

No convenient tension-access design change

  • Reviewer wanted a hole on the shell for easier stick tension adjustment.
  • A tool is included, but tool storage compartment use is criticized.

User experience notes (how it feels to play)

  • Long sessions
    • Apex 5 becomes tiring; strain especially noted when using B/A frequently (thumb strain linked to frequent A/B use).
  • Game-type sensitivity
    • Shooter games: recommended—paddle access reduces reliance on face buttons.
    • Fighting games: not pleasant due to rough grip texture during fast mashing.
    • RPG / B-heavy gameplay: not pleasant due to ergonomic changes.

Comparisons made

Apex 5 vs Apex 4 (core comparison)

  • Apex 5 comfort and back-button ergonomics are worse.
  • Apex 4 provides better palm support and a more comfortable bottom grip.
  • Apex 4 suffers less from long-session discomfort.
  • Apex 4 trigger release sound issue is improved on Apex 5.
  • Apex 4 remapping existed, but macro recording required PC; Apex 5 adds on-the-go macro recording.

Apex 5 vs Nintendo’s controllers (ergonomics analogy)

  • Reviewer says Apex 5’s reduced size/comfort mirrors a similar mistake Nintendo made with a Switch 2 Pro Controller revision (reduced size → worse comfort).

Ratings / numerical scores

  • None given (no score/percentage explicitly mentioned).

Unique points list (all distinct mentions)

  1. Apex 5 comfort is worse than Apex 4 on long sessions; return to Apex 4 avoids the issue.
  2. Comfort issue likened to Nintendo’s “Pro Controller 2” smaller-size mistake.
  3. Apex 5 thumb angle when resting on A button causes strain (90° thumb angle).
  4. Apex 5 physically feels slimmer/smaller despite not looking much smaller.
  5. Apex 5 grip bottom support removed → worse palm support → more tense/cramped fingers.
  6. M5/M6 buttons added back as LM/RM shortcuts.
  7. Apex 5 lacks sliding buttons and C/Z buttons.
  8. Removable back paddles: easy to attach; plastic; durability uncertain.
  9. Paddles are more elevated than back buttons, making sliding finger placement harder.
  10. Back buttons are worse than Apex 4 when paddles are removed (awkward position; requires finger movement backward).
  11. On/off switch adjusted (called a pointless update).
  12. Rubberized grips yellow over time (noted from Apex 4 experience; expected on Apex 5 too).
  13. Apex 5 grip texture is much rougher than Apex 4 (“rubberized sandpaper”), hurting with mashing.
  14. ABXY button resistance varies across Apex 4 revisions; reviewer prefers softer; Apex 5 keeps that preference.
  15. New face buttons feel slightly softer; travel/resistance good; performance same as Apex 4.
  16. Analog sticks smaller on Apex 5; compatible with Apex 4 (Apex 4 sticks fit Apex 5).
  17. Analog sticks not compatible with stick protectors/control accessories anymore.
  18. Easier face plate removal on Apex 5 (remove D-pad only, not sticks/D-pad together).
  19. Stick module improved somewhat, with durability vs smoothness tradeoffs (shaft touches anti-friction rings).
  20. Reviewer wants a frictionless restriction mechanism for smoother stick feel.
  21. Wish for shell hole to adjust stick tension without tool; current tool storage compartment criticized.
  22. Mobile phone clip changed and won’t work with older versions.
  23. D-pad shape/switch force changed; D-pad removable; not fully backwards compatible (won’t work in older controller).
  24. Home/function buttons moved; home is now Fly Digit logo; turbo/function behavior changes.
  25. Trigger design changed (thinner, transparent).
  26. Trigger release sound problem on Apex 4 fixed on Apex 5.
  27. RGB now a single bar on bottom.
  28. Dock praised as best of the year: polished mirror front, dongle slot, extra USB-A + USB-C.
  29. Dock LCD display and light effects; intended to fit Apex 5 perfectly; locks in place.
  30. Dock works on Nintendo Switch: wakes console; motion controls; capture button exists but glitched.
  31. Switch 2 wake-up not working yet.
  32. Capture/video recording via dock button glitched: screenshot only; double-tap fails.
  33. Apex 5 macro recording + remapping on the go via turbo + shortcuts.
  34. Vibration/rumble mistranslation: strong vibrations can continue indefinitely; only option mentioned is to turn it off.
  35. Flydigi app still compatible; limited configurability but touch mapper remains key.
  36. Touch mapper described as best-in-market; mobile games become console-like; motion makes it “feel like cheating.”
  37. On PC, only X-input currently; D-input removed → gyro access only in switch mode; promise of a future update.
  38. Stick behaviors: no dead zones, no cardinal snapping; circularity toggle; small outer dead zone; 1,450 steps.
  39. D-pad described as perfect, responsive, consistent diagonals, center pivot prevents hitting all four.
  40. Triggers described as precise, with sniper rifle / machine gun modes and simulated trigger lock.
  41. Macro/remap/turbo shortcut support also works on PC.
  42. Latency improved dramatically vs Apex 4 (sticks particularly).
  43. App supports 4 profiles and transfer to switch mode.
  44. Vibration-based LED lighting effect added.
  45. App supports button remap, turbo macro recording, mouse buttons mapping, keyboard keys for joystick, curves/dead zones, and circularity changes.
  46. Gyro mapping can be assigned to joysticks/mouse.
  47. Trigger settings include templates and GIF upload/playback with GIF speed adjustment.
  48. Adaptive trigger modes: “standard mode” (Flydigi effects) vs “DS mode” (DualSense-like).
  49. Fast swap config for quick profile switching using function + face buttons.
  50. Joystick debounce/accuracy/filtering features; magnetic sensor noise handling.
  51. Automatic calibration for damaged sticks.
  52. Rebounce algorithm reduces bounce-back.
  53. Accuracy setting controls stick resolution; recommended max.
  54. Dock settings in app: intelligent start, light sync, close on shutdown, battery power animation.
  55. Disassembly mostly same as Apex 4; flat cable caution.
  56. Paddle mechanics explained: paddles press a plastic piece that presses a motorboard button.
  57. Battery capacity: 1,500 mAh.
  58. Triggers are Hall effect with motor installed; metal pivot for durability.
  59. Apex 5 face button switches use same kale switches as Apex 4.
  60. New/updated modules appear reinforced; reviewer couldn’t break the reinforced part like earlier broken Apex 4 parts (durability long-term uncertain).
  61. Don’t leave controller at max stick tension; a viewer reports spring noise when tightened too much.
  62. D-pad switches lighter than previous model.
  63. Internals include black tape to prevent LED light bleed and two antennas at the top.
  64. Final recommendation depends on game type:
    • Best for shooters (paddles + reduced button reliance).
    • Not recommended for fighting games (rough grips) and B-heavy RPGs (ergonomics).

Different speaker views / aspects

  • Single main reviewer voice dominates; no separate speakers identified.
  • External user/view referenced:
    • A channel viewer reported that using the controller at maximum tension caused stick spring noise.

Overall verdict / recommendation

  • Verdict: The Flydigi Apex 5 is feature-dominant and strong on performance (macros/remapping on the go, improved latency, better triggers/adaptive trigger support, excellent dock), but it’s ergonomically worse than the Apex 4 due to slimmer grip/support, awkward back-button/paddle ergonomics when paddles are removed, and noticeably rougher grips that make long sessions and mashing uncomfortable.
  • Recommendation:
    • Buy/choose Apex 5 if you mainly play shooters and value added shortcuts + paddles + macro/remap convenience.
    • Avoid or reconsider if you play fighting games or B/A-heavy long sessions, or if comfort/accessories matter—Apex 4 is strongly preferred for comfort.

Original video