U16 2024 (U Series)
While the U16 was the king of value at launch and set a standard for future controllers, it has since been overshadowed by the C16.
At A Glance
Pros & Cons:
Pros:
- Has the Arcade Style Rims of the R16
- Professionally constructed chassis
- Black Rims and Buttons look superior to the R16’s
- Super light body.
- Easier art replacement and comes with replacement art
Cons:
- Sliding inputs are nearly impossible.
- An additional USB-C port would have been nice.
- Might be too light for some players.
- Overshadowed by the C16
| Item | Description |
|---|---|
Dimensions |
29.6cm X 19.6cm |
Buttons |
16 ( 20.3 mm x 15, 25.8mm x 1 ) |
USB-Ports |
1 x USB-C, 1x USB-A (Passthrough) |
Artwork Friendly |
Yes (Front) |
Material |
Acrylic Plate Front/Black Plastic Bottom |
Switches |
Crystals |
Price |
₹7000 (Approx.) |
Variations:
A Fully Functional Featherweight
The U16 is essentially a transparent and opaque hybrid of the R16, but with the pinky shortcut removed in favor of the traditional 16 button Haute42 layout. It has the same 20.3 buttons like the R16 (this time in Black), and the Arcade-style Rims (also in Black). Consequently, it also inherits the same limitations when it comes to doing sliding inputs for special moves or supers.
Before the U16, Haute42 controllers fell into two camps. You had acrylic sandwich designs like the T, S, G, and R series, which honestly looked like cheap homebrew controllers until artwork was added. On the other end were the understated aluminum boxes like the original M series and the M Plus. The U16 was the first Haute42 controller that genuinely looked like a polished, off the shelf product from brands like Razer or Qanba.
The U16 features a black plastic chassis with a honeycomb pattern on the bottom, along with skid resistant pads installed out of the box. The top is a clear acrylic plate that can be removed using the included screwdriver. This construction results in an extremely light controller. It is lighter than the R16, which is its closest competitor, and may even be lighter than compact models like the S or G series. I no longer have one on hand to confirm, but I distinctly remember moments where I forgot the U16 was sitting in my lap.
Customization Encouraged
The U16 ships with stock Haute42 artwork pre installed, but a nice touch is the inclusion of three additional artwork cutouts and two blank templates in the box for you to draw on. Combined with the included screwdriver, it is clear that Haute42 expects and encourages you to replace the artwork.
With black button caps and rims that allow RGB lighting to glow through the gaps, the U16 can look just as striking as the R16 once fully customized. The limitation is that there is only one surface for artwork. Unlike the R16, you cannot add art to the bottom. If double sided artwork matters to you, the R16 is the better choice.
A personalized U16 in the official box.
The Former King of Value
The U12 and U16 offered some of the best value in 2024. The overall package was noticeably more generous than other Haute42 releases at the time. You received premium black button caps out of the box, which Haute42 would later sell separately. Crystal switches were included as standard, and at the time they were clearly superior to the red switches. You also got free artwork cutouts, a screwdriver to swap them, and the usual Haute42 accessories like a USB C cable and replacement switches, all packaged in a clean, professional looking box.
The U16 set a benchmark that later Haute42 controllers followed. The clearest example is the C16, which feels like a spiritual successor that improves on the U16 in almost every way. Back when the U16 launched, the main alternative was the R16, and the choice came down to whether you wanted the Daigo layout and double sided artwork of the R16, or the lighter, more traditional layout and professional feeling body of the U16.
That choice no longer really exists. The C16 has effectively replaced the U16 in that comparison.
While there are still solid reasons to choose the R16, I would not recommend picking up a U16 over a C16 today. That is why I rate it lower than the R16, even though they are still fairly close in overall value.