Stadia – Google’s game-streaming platform – is rolling out to 18 additional Android smartphones, making playing on mobile a Pixel-exclusive trait no longer.
Google Stadia originally launched back in November 2019, granting those who forked out for the Founder’s Edition pre-order kits or those who subsequently subscribed to the platform’s Pro subscription model access the company’s powerful cloud-based console across a myriad of devices.
Initially, alongside being able to stream Stadia through the Chrome browser on a PC/Mac/Chromebook or a Chromecast Ultra connected to a TV, those in possession of a Google Pixel 2, 3, 3a or 4-Series smartphone could also move their gaming sessions to the small screen if desired.
As of February 20, Stadia will also run on a host of non-Pixel Android smartphones for the first time; with the last four generations of Samsung’s flagship handsets and Asus’ and Razer’s gaming-focused phones joining the roster.
The full list of newly-supported phones is as follows:
- Samsung Galaxy S8
- Samsung Galaxy S8+
- Samsung Galaxy S8 Active
- Samsung Galaxy Note 8
- Samsung Galaxy S9
- Samsung Galaxy S9+
- Samsung Galaxy Note 9
- Samsung Galaxy S10
- Samsung Galaxy S10+
- Samsung Galaxy Note 10
- Samsung Galaxy Note 10+
- Samsung Galaxy S20
- Samsung Galaxy S20+
- Samsung Galaxy S20 Ultra
- Razer Phone
- Razer Phone 2
- ASUS ROG Phone
- ASUS ROG Phone 2
These new additions should help make Stadia more appealing to a far larger number of curious gamers who chose not to join #TeamPixel any time in the last three years and sweetens the experience for some existing users who were, until now, unable to enjoy playing on mobile.
It’s no secret that some of the promises Google made when pitching Stadia didn’t materialise at launch and some features still aren’t available to players, but streaming on mobile has been available from the get-go, at least for a small subset of Pixel owners.
Currently, those on a compatible Pixel phone can play using an official Stadia controller, an Xbox 360 controller or an Xbox One Elite controller, provided it’s connected via USB, as well as the option of a Sony PlayStation DualShock 4 controller, a standard Xbox One controller or the Xbox Adaptive Controller both over USB or wirelessly, using Bluetooth.
Having reached out to Google to confirm whether such controller compatibility is the same for these 18 new devices, or whether the experience will vary on a device-by-device basis, the company said, “With all of these phones you can use your pre-existing Bluetooth controller and the wired Stadia controller. We’re also working toward bringing WiFi Stadia controller gameplay to the platform.”
If you want to know more, check out our Google Stadia review or head on over to our Best Game Streaming Services of 2020 roundup to see how it fits into the bigger picture.