PC emulation on your Pixel phone just quietly got a performance boost

Summary

GameSir has improved support for Mali GPUs in its GameHub PC emulation app for Android.
This benefits Pixel phones, as their Tensor chipsets have Mali GPUs.
The GameHub app by GameSir is free, and allows for PC emulation on Android, supporting both controllers and touch-screen controls.

Android gaming has dramatically improved over the past decade as devices have become more powerful each year. Not only has the experience of playing games from the Google Play Store improved, but emulation on Android has also made significant progress. With various emulator apps, you can play games from platforms like the PS3 and Game Boy on your device. Now, PC emulation on your Android, especially on Google Pixel devices, has become much better.

This progress is thanks to GameSir, known for selling controller accessories for mobile devices. GameSir offers a PC emulation app on Android called GameHub, which has recently announced improved support for Mali GPUs. This means the app and PC emulation now work better on Google Pixel phones, which feature Tensor chipsets with Mali GPUs.

GameSir achieved this through an unexpected partnership with MediaTek. In a statement to Android Authority, GameSir confirmed that its improved support for Mali GPUs on its GameHub app benefits not only Pixel phones but also other Android devices with Mali GPUs.

“Our collaboration is carried out through MediaTek, but all devices with Mali GPUs — including the Pixel series — will benefit. This is a strategic move on an ecosystem level.”

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GameSir says Pixel devices are the “best option” for Mali GPUs

GameHub is free to download, and supports controllers and touch-screen controls

While this is great news for anyone with a Pixel phone or an Android device with a Mali GPU who is interested in PC emulation, it remains unclear how significant a performance boost this collaboration will yield. GameSir claims that if you’re gaming on a device with a Mali GPU, Pixel phones are the “best option.”

“When it comes to simulating PC environments, if you have to choose a Mali device, Pixel phones are still your best option,” Game Sir explained in a statement to Android Authority. “They come with the latest GPU drivers and receive updates far more frequently than other smartphone brands. Currently, MediaTek updates only once every three years — and what we’re doing is changing that.”

While Pixel phones emerge as the clear leader in GameSir’s efforts to improve GameHub PC emulation for Mali GPUs, this also benefits any older Samsung devices that use an Exynos chipset with a Mali GPU.

…if you prefer more mainstream options, streaming games to your device — such as through Xbox Cloud Gaming, Nvidia GeForce Now, or Steam Link — may be easier.

However, the lingering question remains how large this performance jump will be and what the experience of emulating PC titles on Android will actually be like. GameSir’s GameHub is not available on the Google Play Store and can only be downloaded from its website. The app is free, and according to GameSir, it “is compatible with a wide range of devices, including smartphones, tablets, and PCs.”

With the GameHub app, you can emulate PC games on your Android device and use either touchscreen controls or a controller. The app works offline when emulating PC titles, but for streaming and cloud gaming, it requires an internet connection. It also features a “Game Assistant” that allows you to “easily import Steam Games” with a single click.

If PC emulation has always interested you, and you own a Google Pixel, GameSir’s GameHub might be worth trying now with its improved Mali GPU support. However, if you prefer more mainstream options, streaming games to your device — such as through Xbox Cloud Gaming, Nvidia GeForce Now, or Steam Link — may be easier.