I also have the original PinePhone and bought Pro because the original is to slow :) Pro is way faster then the original, but is still slow compared to modern phones.
Yes, the controller is pricy. I tried buying GameSir X2 Pro first. It works with the original PP, but can’t charge and play with the Pro. I talked to megi about it and he said that the issue in the gamepad. Also it doesn’t have a headphone jack. So I sold it and bought a Backbone.