Backbone One iPhone Mobile Gaming Controller Xbox Edition
Designed for iPhone users Backbone One is a game controller designed specifically for iPhone users. It is compatible with all iPhone models, making it the perfect choice for Apple fans who want to enhance their mobile gaming experience. Xbox mobile game support Backbone One controller offers an excellent gaming experience with Xbox mobile games. Its advanced features and intuitive design ensure that you can play your favorite games exactly the way you want. Compact and portable Backbone One is designed to be compact and easy to carry. This means you can play your favorite games wherever you want - whether it's on a bus, train, airplane, or simply on your couch at home. No charging required Unlike many other mobile game controllers, Backbone One does not require charging. This means you can play for as long as you want without worrying about your device unexpectedly running out of power. Simply connect it to your iPhone and start gaming.
Designed for iPhone users Backbone One is a game controller designed specifically for iPhone users. It is compatible with all iPhone models, making it the perfect choice for Apple fans who want to enhance their mobile gaming experience. Xbox mobile game support Backbone One controller offers an excellent gaming experience with Xbox mobile games. Its advanced features and intuitive design ensure that you can play your favorite games exactly the way you want. Compact and portable Backbone One is designed to be compact and easy to carry. This means you can play your favorite games wherever you want - whether it's on a bus, train, airplane, or simply on your couch at home. No charging required Unlike many other mobile game controllers, Backbone One does not require charging. This means you can play for as long as you want without worrying about your device unexpectedly running out of power. Simply connect it to your iPhone and start gaming.
Designed for iPhone users Backbone One is a game controller designed specifically for iPhone users. It is compatible with all iPhone models, making it the perfect choice for Apple fans who want to enhance their mobile gaming experience. Xbox mobile game support Backbone One controller offers an excellent gaming experience with Xbox mobile games. Its advanced features and intuitive design ensure that you can play your favorite games exactly the way you want. Compact and portable Backbone One is designed to be compact and easy to carry. This means you can play your favorite games wherever you want - whether it's on a bus, train, airplane, or simply on your couch at home. No charging required Unlike many other mobile game controllers, Backbone One does not require charging. This means you can play for as long as you want without worrying about your device unexpectedly running out of power. Simply connect it to your iPhone and start gaming.
Designed for iPhone users Backbone One is a game controller designed specifically for iPhone users. It is compatible with all iPhone models, making it the perfect choice for Apple fans who want to enhance their mobile gaming experience. Xbox mobile game support Backbone One controller offers an excellent gaming experience with Xbox mobile games. Its advanced features and intuitive design ensure that you can play your favorite games exactly the way you want. Compact and portable Backbone One is designed to be compact and easy to carry. This means you can play your favorite games wherever you want - whether it's on a bus, train, airplane, or simply on your couch at home. No charging required Unlike many other mobile game controllers, Backbone One does not require charging. This means you can play for as long as you want without worrying about your device unexpectedly running out of power. Simply connect it to your iPhone and start gaming.
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The lowest price for Backbone One iPhone Mobile Gaming Controller Xbox Edition right now is $24.65 at Cash Converters, compared across 14 retailers.
The all-time low was $18.48 on 23 Apr 2026 — today's price is 33% above the lowest ever. It has been notably cheaper before — worth setting a price alert.
Prices last updated 7 June 2026.
Last updated at 07/06/2026 00:12:29
BACKBONE BB-02-BX Game Controller, USB, Black, 14 Buttons, Compatible with IOS & Android, 282g, 17x2x1cm
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originally posted on bestbuy.com
I've owned the Backbone gaming controller for a modest length of time. I've been able to test it with my gaming laptop and xbox cloud gaming. I am extremely impressed with this controller. So, you might ask "Just what impresses me the most and why?".Let's be honest here. There are several choices of controllers like this that have flooded the market lately. Some great, some good, others not so much. Most promise certain things with varying functionalities and these devices really try to deliver on those promises only to fail You, the gamer, in the end. Not so regarding the Backbone controller for the iPhone. This controller will only fit an iPhone, so if you have an Android device, you'll need to try the Razer Kishi for Android or another brand of controller. The ... MoreI've owned the Backbone gaming controller for a modest length of time. I've been able to test it with my gaming laptop and xbox cloud gaming. I am extremely impressed with this controller. So, you might ask "Just what impresses me the most and why?".Let's be honest here. There are several choices of controllers like this that have flooded the market lately. Some great, some good, others not so much. Most promise certain things with varying functionalities and these devices really try to deliver on those promises only to fail You, the gamer, in the end. Not so regarding the Backbone controller for the iPhone. This controller will only fit an iPhone, so if you have an Android device, you'll need to try the Razer Kishi for Android or another brand of controller. The company that produces this controller has delivered on every promise they've made regarding specifically what this controller will do to helpmake your gameplay more enjoyable. With the iPhone connected, you can connect to and play games on Steam (at least the ones that have controller support), Xbox Cloud Gaming (because the iOS doesn't support gaming directly from your Xbox), Playstation's Remote Play (I have not personally tested this). It can be used for your iPhone games as well, naturally, along with other game streaming type services that are out there. I have used the Backbone controller extensively with Steam and Xbox Cloud Gaming and it works flawlessly! I have also use the controller by itself, connected by USB cable directly to my gaming laptop and it works flawlessly (this is a functionality that the company advertises, but doesn't make it a highlight in advertising, because the selling point is that you connect your iPhone to the controller and game away.). It does come with a month of Xbox Game Pass Ultimate(new subscribers only) and a year of Backbone+. I read somewhere that a month of Apple Arcade is included, but I honestly can't attest to this. I guess what impresses me the most is the versatility you get out of this thing! The number of game streaming services is one thing, but to be able to use this controller with no iPhone at all, connected to your computer via USB cable is something else. If you've got a few bucks that you want to spend in a piece of gaming hardware, or if you're needing to scratch that itch you've got for the next best thing, then get yourself a Backbone gaming controller for the iPhone. I honestly doubt you'll regret it!
originally posted on bestbuy.com
Bottom Line: The BackBone One White is a solid iPhone controller that can deliver near-console level controls when used with PS Remote Play. Review: The BackBone One White / PlayStation edition is aimed primarily at PS5 owners interested in using their iPhone for remote play. The controller (with iPhone attached) most closely resembles a popular handheld console, and so the PS5 elements are more of a skin/tweak of the BackBone One design. Overall, it is a solid controller, offering responsive thumb sticks and buttons. The controller is also really light, since it powers via the iPhone’s Lightning connector rather than internal battery. Charging passthrough (which pulses the orange button that opens the BackBone app) and headphone jack are nice additions as well. The ... MoreBottom Line: The BackBone One White is a solid iPhone controller that can deliver near-console level controls when used with PS Remote Play. Review: The BackBone One White / PlayStation edition is aimed primarily at PS5 owners interested in using their iPhone for remote play. The controller (with iPhone attached) most closely resembles a popular handheld console, and so the PS5 elements are more of a skin/tweak of the BackBone One design. Overall, it is a solid controller, offering responsive thumb sticks and buttons. The controller is also really light, since it powers via the iPhone’s Lightning connector rather than internal battery. Charging passthrough (which pulses the orange button that opens the BackBone app) and headphone jack are nice additions as well. The White / PlayStation edition also uses the triangle/circle/X/square labeling and layout, which will be instantly recognizable to PS players. For remote play, physical buttons open the PS share and start menus much like on the DualSense controller. The BackBone One also has a dedicated button for screenshots/video recording that saves directly to the iPhone Camera Roll, which offers another way to share recordings. Although the BackBone One is a solid iPhone controller, buyers should be aware of two issues. First, the minimalist design can’t accommodate an iPhone case, and so it must be removed each time you want to connect and play. Indeed, the camera bump on the iPhone 13 Pro creates a need for an (included) adapter, since the controller was designed around thinner iPhone models. Second, the buttons are noticeably smaller than they are on a DualSense controller. It’s most noticeable, I think, for the L1 and R1 triggers, since I play a lot of Elden Ring. Despite these two issues, the BackBone One White / PlayStation edition offers full controller support for PS remote play, and it works well with other iOS compatible games.
originally posted on bestbuy.com
This is a little tricky for me to review. To be clear, this is an excellent device. It's of a very high build quality. The buttons have that nice "clicky" solid feel to them and once you snap in your phone, the entire assembly feels very solid and cohesive. I really like the feel of the D Pad as well. A couple of really nice features are the built in headphone jack and the Lightning connector port that not only allows you to charge your device while it's connected but also will allow you to use the Backbone independently of the phone as a controller on PC, iPad, Mac and other devices.I am impressed with how solid everything feels when my phone is snapped into the Backbone and how it all just feels like first party peripheral. By comparison, the Razer Kishi ... MoreThis is a little tricky for me to review. To be clear, this is an excellent device. It's of a very high build quality. The buttons have that nice "clicky" solid feel to them and once you snap in your phone, the entire assembly feels very solid and cohesive. I really like the feel of the D Pad as well. A couple of really nice features are the built in headphone jack and the Lightning connector port that not only allows you to charge your device while it's connected but also will allow you to use the Backbone independently of the phone as a controller on PC, iPad, Mac and other devices.I am impressed with how solid everything feels when my phone is snapped into the Backbone and how it all just feels like first party peripheral. By comparison, the Razer Kishi definitely looks and feels like a third party accessory. That's not really a bad thing or a negative point on the part of the Kishi, just an observation that may be of interest to some of you. What I didn't expect though was despite the Backbone being quite a bit more lean in profile compared to the Kishi, I find it more comfortable to hold. I'm a tall guy with large hands and I had already anticipated preferring to hold the Kishi.One point that irritates me is that accessory designers still design for just the phone and not the phone in its case. If your case requires disassembly to remove the phone, you're going to be out of luck with any such accessory, not exclusively the Backbone. Smartphones rapidly became a norm, even for folks on a budget so I don't see why this is still an issue honestly. This is likely not a concern for most people though.So when I bought it, I only expected to get a controller that I could use for my iPhone 11 Pro and didn't anticipate a great app to accompany the device. The app has a lot of great features and integrations as well as being well designed. However, I really dislike that they want you to pay an additional $50/year for the privilege of using most of the good features of the app, despite giving you the first year "free".Backbone is effectively building their own ecosystem around the controller and asking a subscription fee for using it, kind of akin to XBox Live or PS+. Don't get me wrong, there's a lot of great features in the app and for many of you, it may easily be worth the additional asking fee after that first year. Personally, being an avid gamer, I already pay for enough of these sorts of services and didn't anticipate that as part of the purchase of the Backbone. I'm also not their target audience for that sort of feature set though. The app has its own friends list, messaging features, content creator features, and other little addons that overlap with many other services. For example, if you're using Xbox or Steam streaming, the Backbone app integrates with those services, but adds its own friends list and rich presence features that function independently of them. If mobile gaming is something you do quite often, the Backbone subscription may be of interest to you. If you're simply looking for a controller for your phone that works with Apple Arcade, Xbox Cloud Gaming, Steam, etc, I just felt it worthwhile to bring it to your attention.
| Form Factor | No |
| Connection | Lightning |
| Model Identifier | No |
| Manufacturer P/N | BB-02-B-X |
BACKBONE BB-02-BX Game Controller, USB, Black, 14 Buttons, Compatible with IOS & Android, 282g, 17x2x1cm
Affiliate Disclosure: We may receive a small commission for purchases made through this link at no extra cost to you. This helps support our site. Thank you!
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I've owned the Backbone gaming controller for a modest length of time. I've been able to test it with my gaming laptop and xbox cloud gaming. I am extremely impressed with this controller. So, you might ask "Just what impresses me the most and why?".Let's be honest here. There are several choices of controllers like this that have flooded the market lately. Some great, some good, others not so much. Most promise certain things with varying functionalities and these devices really try to deliver on those promises only to fail You, the gamer, in the end. Not so regarding the Backbone controller for the iPhone. This controller will only fit an iPhone, so if you have an Android device, you'll need to try the Razer Kishi for Android or another brand of controller. The ... MoreI've owned the Backbone gaming controller for a modest length of time. I've been able to test it with my gaming laptop and xbox cloud gaming. I am extremely impressed with this controller. So, you might ask "Just what impresses me the most and why?".Let's be honest here. There are several choices of controllers like this that have flooded the market lately. Some great, some good, others not so much. Most promise certain things with varying functionalities and these devices really try to deliver on those promises only to fail You, the gamer, in the end. Not so regarding the Backbone controller for the iPhone. This controller will only fit an iPhone, so if you have an Android device, you'll need to try the Razer Kishi for Android or another brand of controller. The company that produces this controller has delivered on every promise they've made regarding specifically what this controller will do to helpmake your gameplay more enjoyable. With the iPhone connected, you can connect to and play games on Steam (at least the ones that have controller support), Xbox Cloud Gaming (because the iOS doesn't support gaming directly from your Xbox), Playstation's Remote Play (I have not personally tested this). It can be used for your iPhone games as well, naturally, along with other game streaming type services that are out there. I have used the Backbone controller extensively with Steam and Xbox Cloud Gaming and it works flawlessly! I have also use the controller by itself, connected by USB cable directly to my gaming laptop and it works flawlessly (this is a functionality that the company advertises, but doesn't make it a highlight in advertising, because the selling point is that you connect your iPhone to the controller and game away.). It does come with a month of Xbox Game Pass Ultimate(new subscribers only) and a year of Backbone+. I read somewhere that a month of Apple Arcade is included, but I honestly can't attest to this. I guess what impresses me the most is the versatility you get out of this thing! The number of game streaming services is one thing, but to be able to use this controller with no iPhone at all, connected to your computer via USB cable is something else. If you've got a few bucks that you want to spend in a piece of gaming hardware, or if you're needing to scratch that itch you've got for the next best thing, then get yourself a Backbone gaming controller for the iPhone. I honestly doubt you'll regret it!
Bottom Line: The BackBone One White is a solid iPhone controller that can deliver near-console level controls when used with PS Remote Play. Review: The BackBone One White / PlayStation edition is aimed primarily at PS5 owners interested in using their iPhone for remote play. The controller (with iPhone attached) most closely resembles a popular handheld console, and so the PS5 elements are more of a skin/tweak of the BackBone One design. Overall, it is a solid controller, offering responsive thumb sticks and buttons. The controller is also really light, since it powers via the iPhone’s Lightning connector rather than internal battery. Charging passthrough (which pulses the orange button that opens the BackBone app) and headphone jack are nice additions as well. The ... MoreBottom Line: The BackBone One White is a solid iPhone controller that can deliver near-console level controls when used with PS Remote Play. Review: The BackBone One White / PlayStation edition is aimed primarily at PS5 owners interested in using their iPhone for remote play. The controller (with iPhone attached) most closely resembles a popular handheld console, and so the PS5 elements are more of a skin/tweak of the BackBone One design. Overall, it is a solid controller, offering responsive thumb sticks and buttons. The controller is also really light, since it powers via the iPhone’s Lightning connector rather than internal battery. Charging passthrough (which pulses the orange button that opens the BackBone app) and headphone jack are nice additions as well. The White / PlayStation edition also uses the triangle/circle/X/square labeling and layout, which will be instantly recognizable to PS players. For remote play, physical buttons open the PS share and start menus much like on the DualSense controller. The BackBone One also has a dedicated button for screenshots/video recording that saves directly to the iPhone Camera Roll, which offers another way to share recordings. Although the BackBone One is a solid iPhone controller, buyers should be aware of two issues. First, the minimalist design can’t accommodate an iPhone case, and so it must be removed each time you want to connect and play. Indeed, the camera bump on the iPhone 13 Pro creates a need for an (included) adapter, since the controller was designed around thinner iPhone models. Second, the buttons are noticeably smaller than they are on a DualSense controller. It’s most noticeable, I think, for the L1 and R1 triggers, since I play a lot of Elden Ring. Despite these two issues, the BackBone One White / PlayStation edition offers full controller support for PS remote play, and it works well with other iOS compatible games.
This is a little tricky for me to review. To be clear, this is an excellent device. It's of a very high build quality. The buttons have that nice "clicky" solid feel to them and once you snap in your phone, the entire assembly feels very solid and cohesive. I really like the feel of the D Pad as well. A couple of really nice features are the built in headphone jack and the Lightning connector port that not only allows you to charge your device while it's connected but also will allow you to use the Backbone independently of the phone as a controller on PC, iPad, Mac and other devices.I am impressed with how solid everything feels when my phone is snapped into the Backbone and how it all just feels like first party peripheral. By comparison, the Razer Kishi ... MoreThis is a little tricky for me to review. To be clear, this is an excellent device. It's of a very high build quality. The buttons have that nice "clicky" solid feel to them and once you snap in your phone, the entire assembly feels very solid and cohesive. I really like the feel of the D Pad as well. A couple of really nice features are the built in headphone jack and the Lightning connector port that not only allows you to charge your device while it's connected but also will allow you to use the Backbone independently of the phone as a controller on PC, iPad, Mac and other devices.I am impressed with how solid everything feels when my phone is snapped into the Backbone and how it all just feels like first party peripheral. By comparison, the Razer Kishi definitely looks and feels like a third party accessory. That's not really a bad thing or a negative point on the part of the Kishi, just an observation that may be of interest to some of you. What I didn't expect though was despite the Backbone being quite a bit more lean in profile compared to the Kishi, I find it more comfortable to hold. I'm a tall guy with large hands and I had already anticipated preferring to hold the Kishi.One point that irritates me is that accessory designers still design for just the phone and not the phone in its case. If your case requires disassembly to remove the phone, you're going to be out of luck with any such accessory, not exclusively the Backbone. Smartphones rapidly became a norm, even for folks on a budget so I don't see why this is still an issue honestly. This is likely not a concern for most people though.So when I bought it, I only expected to get a controller that I could use for my iPhone 11 Pro and didn't anticipate a great app to accompany the device. The app has a lot of great features and integrations as well as being well designed. However, I really dislike that they want you to pay an additional $50/year for the privilege of using most of the good features of the app, despite giving you the first year "free".Backbone is effectively building their own ecosystem around the controller and asking a subscription fee for using it, kind of akin to XBox Live or PS+. Don't get me wrong, there's a lot of great features in the app and for many of you, it may easily be worth the additional asking fee after that first year. Personally, being an avid gamer, I already pay for enough of these sorts of services and didn't anticipate that as part of the purchase of the Backbone. I'm also not their target audience for that sort of feature set though. The app has its own friends list, messaging features, content creator features, and other little addons that overlap with many other services. For example, if you're using Xbox or Steam streaming, the Backbone app integrates with those services, but adds its own friends list and rich presence features that function independently of them. If mobile gaming is something you do quite often, the Backbone subscription may be of interest to you. If you're simply looking for a controller for your phone that works with Apple Arcade, Xbox Cloud Gaming, Steam, etc, I just felt it worthwhile to bring it to your attention.
I like the ability to turn my iPhone into a handheld gaming device. Being able to connect directly with my Xbox Series X and PS5, via cloud gaming, is great. The PS5 app, PS Remote Play, has been a little bit hit or miss, for me though. However, no issues at all playing any of my Xbox games. This may have more to do with Microsoft Xbox Live and X-Cloud being far more fleshed out and proven compared to Sony’s PS Remote Play. Joysticks feel good and buttons have nice tactile feedback. Bumper buttons are a touch close, but that’s understandable given the small size of the handheld device, as opposed to, an actual console controller. I like that the Backbone allows for charging passthrough, which is great if your phone starts to get low on juice. I used my AirPod Pros ... MoreI like the ability to turn my iPhone into a handheld gaming device. Being able to connect directly with my Xbox Series X and PS5, via cloud gaming, is great. The PS5 app, PS Remote Play, has been a little bit hit or miss, for me though. However, no issues at all playing any of my Xbox games. This may have more to do with Microsoft Xbox Live and X-Cloud being far more fleshed out and proven compared to Sony’s PS Remote Play. Joysticks feel good and buttons have nice tactile feedback. Bumper buttons are a touch close, but that’s understandable given the small size of the handheld device, as opposed to, an actual console controller. I like that the Backbone allows for charging passthrough, which is great if your phone starts to get low on juice. I used my AirPod Pros to listen while gaming, but having a 3.5mm headphone jack is appreciated. The Backbone interface is great with lots of options for gaming apps or connecting to consoles and other cloud-based gaming platforms. It’s very easy to navigate and feels well thought out. The ease of which I can switch between using the joystick controllers and buttons or simply using my finger to swipe on screen feels totally natural and organic. There’s also a nice amount of haptic feedback when in using the interface and in-game adding to the immersion. Though mostly positive, there are a few potential drawbacks. Not being able to keep my phone case on while using it would be my only major complaint. I feel as though my current case has a relatively slim profile, however, the way the Backbone is designed, it simply won’t allow the usage of phone case No matter how slim. There’s some raised padding that sits just inside either end of the controller. It’s there to help keep the phone from sliding around and offering some additional security and support while connected to the Backbone. However, that small raise in the pad means that it’s only suitable for a phone without a case. As soon as you add one, that raised pad won’t allow the phone to line up properly with the Lightning connector. That’s kinda inconvenient, and frankly, a bit of pain to have to take on and off when using the Backbone. Obviously, that’s nitpicking, but something worth mentioning especially, when there are newer competitors, like the Gamevice Flex, that allow for you to game with a slim case. I, also, wish it came with a travel case standard, too, as the whole purpose of it is for on-the-go mobile gaming. Overall, the Backbone is a good product with smooth controls and a nice interface. However, the not being able to game with a phone case on, lack of a travel case standard, and issues connecting to PS5/PS Remote Play, keep this from being perfect.
The backbone one gaming controller for your iPhone is an interesting proposition for mobile gaming.The PlayStation theme to the controller is great. It matches my PS5 exactly and looks like a PlayStation controller.I tested a number of games with this device and it worked great. Currently, the only way to use this device with PlayStation (PS4 / PS5 is to connect via remote play. Performance of the game is dependent on your system and home network and has nothing to do with the controller. It’s worth noting that from a latency perspective, this controller plugs in directly via lightning so controller latency should not be a concern.Although this controller is designed with playstation in mind (it has a customized app specially formulated for Playstation ... MoreThe backbone one gaming controller for your iPhone is an interesting proposition for mobile gaming.The PlayStation theme to the controller is great. It matches my PS5 exactly and looks like a PlayStation controller.I tested a number of games with this device and it worked great. Currently, the only way to use this device with PlayStation (PS4 / PS5 is to connect via remote play. Performance of the game is dependent on your system and home network and has nothing to do with the controller. It’s worth noting that from a latency perspective, this controller plugs in directly via lightning so controller latency should not be a concern.Although this controller is designed with playstation in mind (it has a customized app specially formulated for Playstation content), it can be used with other gaming as well, though depending on the game the face button prompts may not match up. I was able to fire up xbox game pass ultimate cloud streaming with no issue and the controller worked without incident.Installation of the phone into the controller is a piece of cake. Put in the top of your phone to the controller, pull the controller out, and snap into place. One caveat is that you have to take your phone out of the case which is a slightly annoying but is a fair tradeoff to be able to include the lightning connector.Considering how this is designed with portability in mind, I thought that the controller buttons were really great. The buttons are very clicky. The L2 and R2 buttons are really small triggers and not just buttons which is really nice.The controller has a headphone jack which is a super nice feature if you have a corded headset. It also has passthrough charging via USB C port.It would be cool in a future iteration if the backbone had a built in battery. It would also be cool if the device utilized MagSafe instead of tension to keep the phone in place.
Marvelous controller for iPhone users with a flavor of PlayStation. The design has a PlayStation theme, the white and black colors are homogeneous, and the PlayStation logo is remarkable, so basically it looks like a PlayStation product!! the build is fantastic and holds my iPhone 13 Pro Max nicely. I love the silicone adaptor for iPhone 13 Pro Max that lifts it so the cameras don't touch the back bar. The controller buttons and thumbstick are amazing and work great. Buttons are easy to remember and get used to. The backbone button which is located on the right side is to go home and the other two buttons are for recording and one for screenshots and the ability to share is easy. The controller transformed my iPhone into a handheld gaming console. I like how it is ... MoreMarvelous controller for iPhone users with a flavor of PlayStation. The design has a PlayStation theme, the white and black colors are homogeneous, and the PlayStation logo is remarkable, so basically it looks like a PlayStation product!! the build is fantastic and holds my iPhone 13 Pro Max nicely. I love the silicone adaptor for iPhone 13 Pro Max that lifts it so the cameras don't touch the back bar. The controller buttons and thumbstick are amazing and work great. Buttons are easy to remember and get used to. The backbone button which is located on the right side is to go home and the other two buttons are for recording and one for screenshots and the ability to share is easy. The controller transformed my iPhone into a handheld gaming console. I like how it is powered by the iPhone, not rechargeable, and connects via a lightning connector for low latency and passthrough to charge the iPhone as well. Also, the 3.5 audio jack is good to have. What this controller stands out and excels in, is the integration of PS remote Play and Xbox Game Pass as well as the IOS App Store through the BackBone app. The app is well-designed and fluid to navigate. It offers trending games, in-app searches, short autoplay game videos, etc. However, Backbone+ requires a subscription to get access to premium content. I have tried Remote Play on the go away from home and my experience was flawless. I was able to play all the games I have on my PS5, Spiderman, The Division 2, etc., but sadly at the low-resolution 1080p but still fun to play on the go, also the ability to access and play IOS games. My only dislike of this controller is the fact that it works with iPhones without a protective case, I take care of my devices and it is kind of a worry that my iPhone may get scratched while using it on the go. Other than that it is a great controller and works flawlessly, I recommend it for mobile gamers.
The Backbone for iPhone for Playstation is aesthetically a great looking device, technically a great idea, and fundamentally a controller that can turn your iPhone into a next-level gaming device.In reality, personally, I feel it needs a lot of improvements to be a true 'Playstation' controller for your iPhone.What Backbone have done, is taken their regular controller, made it white and put some nice, glossy Playstation 5 controller-esque buttons on it, and a couple of proprietary PS functions.But fundamentally, the controller is more geared towards an X-Box or Nintendo Switch set up, than it is a Playstation controller.The biggest elephant in the room with PS vs X-Box vs Nintendo Switch controllers is the off-set joysticks. The Playstation is the only one ... MoreThe Backbone for iPhone for Playstation is aesthetically a great looking device, technically a great idea, and fundamentally a controller that can turn your iPhone into a next-level gaming device.In reality, personally, I feel it needs a lot of improvements to be a true 'Playstation' controller for your iPhone.What Backbone have done, is taken their regular controller, made it white and put some nice, glossy Playstation 5 controller-esque buttons on it, and a couple of proprietary PS functions.But fundamentally, the controller is more geared towards an X-Box or Nintendo Switch set up, than it is a Playstation controller.The biggest elephant in the room with PS vs X-Box vs Nintendo Switch controllers is the off-set joysticks. The Playstation is the only one of the 3 controllers that has symmetrical joysticks, on the same plane. So to be a 'true' PS controller, this one needed to step up it's game and have the symmetrical joysticks. I've had every iteration of Playstation from One through Five, and the joysticks have always been level and not offset.And while we're talking about the joysticks, they are tiny. Like tiny, tiny. Very similar to the Nintendo Switch controller joysticks, which are also tiny. As far as the aesthetic feel of a PS5 (or 4/3/2/1) controller, this misses the mark. And to a Playstation (only) gamer, this will feel weird. I do occasionally play on my son's Switch, but complain about those controllers all the time to him too! Yes, I am a Sony fan in this respect, and I am reviewing this Backbone controller, as a Sony product fan.Moving on to the better things, I love how they've captures the glossy/clear buttons of the PS5 controller, it being white ties into that design with the black bumper buttons up top. The other buttons are fine, they do what they need to, the Backbone button would have been more complementary in Blue on the controller, but that's a minor thing.Now in this form factor, you aren't going to have the feedback sensors/motors in a controller like this, I totally get it. But a more substantial click from the bumper buttons would be welcome.The way this controller slides open with a spring loaded mechanism makes it very easy to attach your iPhone, and also comes with an adapter to mount an iPhone 13 as well. But... you have to remove your case, this controller does not work with your case on your iPhone. Minor inconvenience, but worth a note.On the bottom edge, right hand side, there is a USB-C charging port to be able to charge your phone while using it, no cable is included tho. On the left hand side there is a 3.5mm jack for hooking up some wired headphones if you so choose.Once you plug your iPhone in, you are prompted to download the Backbone app, set up an account, and even though you get 1 year of Backbone membership with the controller, you are forced to set up a recurring payment with Backbone through Apple, in order to even begin using the controller. Being forced to do that ($50/year), while understandable as Backbone want to make money, was annoying when just trying to get on and try/use the controller.Playing Games: I found the controller to have little lag, depending on the game, which was nice, and games like Gran Turismo 7 played nice and smoothly with the controller. I had some good fun racing around the tracks. The functionality was there, little to no lag, smooth turning, accelerating and brake was all to be found. You can also capture and record clips just like you would on a PS5 controller, with a dedicated button.Moving on to my go-to game, Call of Duty (Cold War in this instance) things got a little different. In a fast paced and frenetic online game, the controller was simply too jerky in it's joystick motion to remain accurate and on target, I tried all sorts of different options, holding the controller slightly differently, and while you could control the game, the sense of urgency required wasn't there and I was habitually second to the trigger. Ultimately ended up quitting out of the game due to the awkward joysticks and feeling like I was always playing second fiddle to the other players. For context, I am not an Elite Gamer, nor am I novice to Call of Duty, I've been playing online consistently since Call of Duty 3.Overall, I really wanted to like this product. It's a quality product, and it's well screwed together, it feels sturdy and durable, it's connectivity is good, little to no latency on smoother games, but frantic, high speed games it struggled, in my experience. The aesthetics are nice too, it looks good. But overall, the joystick layout (and size of them - too small) really make this NOT a dedicated PS controller substitute, and for that reason alone, makes me not want to pick it up. And being forced to sign up for the $50/year subscription right out of the gate, before even testing the product was annoying as well.
PROS:- Easy to connect- Included adapter for iPhone 13 Pro Max- Small size, but very comfortable- Pass-through charging- Headphone jack- Free year of Backbone+CONS:- Apple might switch iPhones to USB-C soon== SETUP ==You will need to install the Backbone app on your iPhone. If you connect the Backbone One without it, you'll be prompted to go to the App Store to get it.You'll need to create an account if you don't already have one, but by buying the new PlayStation edition, you do get a free year of Backbone+ membership for free.I would connect your iPhone to the Lightning port first, then extend the other end of the Backbone to lock your phone in. If you have the new iPhone 13 Pro Max, there's an included adapter so your phone will fit.== USING THE ... MorePROS:- Easy to connect- Included adapter for iPhone 13 Pro Max- Small size, but very comfortable- Pass-through charging- Headphone jack- Free year of Backbone+CONS:- Apple might switch iPhones to USB-C soon== SETUP ==You will need to install the Backbone app on your iPhone. If you connect the Backbone One without it, you'll be prompted to go to the App Store to get it.You'll need to create an account if you don't already have one, but by buying the new PlayStation edition, you do get a free year of Backbone+ membership for free.I would connect your iPhone to the Lightning port first, then extend the other end of the Backbone to lock your phone in. If you have the new iPhone 13 Pro Max, there's an included adapter so your phone will fit.== USING THE BACKBONE APP ==This is the easiest way to navigate through all your games and various game services when using the Backbone One. It automatically finds any games you already have on your phone, but will also include other game suggestions from every other game streaming service.The game search is really cool. You can either look for any game based on whatever genre you want, or you can just search for a specific game to see which service it's available on. You can get results for just about every popular service: Apple App Store, PlayStation Network, Xbox Game Pass, Stadia, Nvidia GeForce Now, Steam Link, and even Amazon Luna.You can also take in-game screenshots and video recordings from the app using the dedicated button under the left direction pad. All your saved images and video clips can be accessed and shared from within the Backbone app.== BUILD QUALITY ==I have bigger hands and was initially worried about how long I could play before it became uncomfortable. Thankfully, the Backbone One found a nice sweet-spot of being small enough for portability, but not too small to become uncomfortable.The build quality feels amazing! It's very sturdy and doesn't bend or twist while your phone is connected. The buttons are very clicky, the triggers are nice and springy, and the thumb sticks (while small) feel really good. I don't know what the next couple years will bring, but hopefully I don't need to worry too much about stick drift.== PLAYSTATION EDITION ==I've owned every PlayStation (except the PS5, thanks scalpers...) and even owned the original PSP. I missed out on the PS Vita, but was still bummed out to learn that Sony was giving up on handhelds. While we aren't going to see a new successor to the Vita, this version of the Backbone is as close as we're going to get!I love that with just a few minor adjustments to the original Backbone, we have this beauty. I love playing my PS games on my phone with this controller! Sure, you could always just use a PS4/5 controller with a phone clip, but this is a MUCH more elegant solution (and much less bulk).== BOTTOM LINE ==I definitely find myself playing much more games on my phone now than before. It's very compact, no Bluetooth connection to worry about, you can charge your phone while playing, and the buttons feel great.If you (or someone you know) is a big PlayStation fan and enjoys mobile gaming, this is AWESOME!
The Backbone One is the first controller accessory I’ve ever had for my phone and I’m excited to share my thoughts about it with all of you. I’ll be using this with my iPhone 12 and reviewing it with several services, but specifically using PlayStation Remote Play. I’ll be posting my overall impressions first in case you don’t want to read the entire thing.My overall experience with the Backbone One was a positive one. Other than it missing a hard case or the ability to fold down for a smaller travel footprint, the device is a completely solid, well-built, and essential accessory for anyone wanting to elevate their mobile gaming. The ability to have actual physical controls for these games is a game changer and makes mobile gaming much more approachable for those ... MoreThe Backbone One is the first controller accessory I’ve ever had for my phone and I’m excited to share my thoughts about it with all of you. I’ll be using this with my iPhone 12 and reviewing it with several services, but specifically using PlayStation Remote Play. I’ll be posting my overall impressions first in case you don’t want to read the entire thing.My overall experience with the Backbone One was a positive one. Other than it missing a hard case or the ability to fold down for a smaller travel footprint, the device is a completely solid, well-built, and essential accessory for anyone wanting to elevate their mobile gaming. The ability to have actual physical controls for these games is a game changer and makes mobile gaming much more approachable for those used to PC and console gaming. If you’re looking for a premium gaming experience for your iPhone, look no further than the Backbone One.Unboxing/Build Quality:Unboxing the Backbone One makes you feel like you’ve purchased a premium device. The box is made of a soft velvety material and the Backbone is packaged front and center in a minimalistic way. You’ll get the Backbone One, an iPhone 13 Pro/Pro Max adapter, and a quick start card, along with safety instructions that you’ll probably never read. The device itself is light but solidly built. Once attached to your phone, it feels solid and like it’s a natural attachment for your iPhone. The buttons and analog sticks feel good, the triggers are also decent, but could use a little more resistance in my opinion. The D-Pad is a little on the mushy side, but overall the controller is built very well and feels solid. Anyone that has played on a PlayStation or Xbox controller will feel right at home with the layout.The only drawback I can see with the Backbone One in comparison with other units is the fact that it doesn’t fold up or come with a carrying case of any sort. Traveling with the Backbone One might be a little bit challenging when not attached to a phone. I have a fear that I may end up breaking the back support of the unit if I were to cram it into a backpack during a flight without a proper hard case. For the price, I think a case should have been included.Functionality/Ease of Use/Gameplay:The Backbone One is super easy to use. You’ll probably have to take the case off your phone to get the Backbone connected, but that’s pretty standard for devices like these. Once you connect it to your phone, you’ll be asked to download the Backbone application from the App Store. Once downloaded you’ll be granted 1 year of Backbone Plus which gives you a bunch of benefits as an owner of the product. None of these limit the ability to use the product but are niceties like access to a streamlined game hub, direct live streaming, and the ability to share gameplay and screenshots easily. You’ll also get some free benefits from places like Discord, Stadia, etc.To test the PlayStation Remote Play functionality, you’ll download the PlayStation Remote Play application from the App Store and sign in to your PlayStation account. After you’ve linked your desired console, in my case a PS5, you’ll see the home screen of your device on your phone and be able to navigate it just as if you were using the native controller in front of your console.The input response, video quality, and smoothness of the games I streamed were all very good. Everything from Demons Souls, to Spider-Man and Uncharted played fantastically via Remote Play on my Wifi 6 mesh network. I only experienced a few hiccups with the connection when moving locations in the house, but other than those few occasions where I felt a little lag or visual distortion, the experience was great.Don’t forget you can also stream from your Xbox or pick a streaming service like Stadia to stream from. Streaming from the Xbox was a smooth experience as well, minus the fact that the buttons aren’t labeled correctly for an Xbox controller, but that doesn’t hinder the experience much.Local gameplay is also fantastic. I played a ton of Diablo Immortal with the Backbone One and it was a great experience. CoD Mobile worked just as well and felt completely natural to play with the Backbone One. All other games that support a controller should also play great with the Backbone One.
The Backbone PlayStation Edition makes me wish I bought the larger iPhone Pro Max for the extra screen size and battery life for mobile gaming. I hadn’t really paid attention to mobile gaming because I have a PC and PS5 and I didn’t have much interest in mobile games but the Backbone paired with PS Remote Play had opened my eyes to completely different remote gaming capabilities.Please note, your remote gameplay experience is going to be largely determined by both your internet speed/quality at home as well as where you are currently trying to play from. Anywhere you have LTE (4G or 5G) you should be fine.Setup for Backbone and PS Remote Play was simple. You download the Backbone app and then walk through setup. A subscription allows you to access Backbone’s ... MoreThe Backbone PlayStation Edition makes me wish I bought the larger iPhone Pro Max for the extra screen size and battery life for mobile gaming. I hadn’t really paid attention to mobile gaming because I have a PC and PS5 and I didn’t have much interest in mobile games but the Backbone paired with PS Remote Play had opened my eyes to completely different remote gaming capabilities.Please note, your remote gameplay experience is going to be largely determined by both your internet speed/quality at home as well as where you are currently trying to play from. Anywhere you have LTE (4G or 5G) you should be fine.Setup for Backbone and PS Remote Play was simple. You download the Backbone app and then walk through setup. A subscription allows you to access Backbone’s library of remote game catalogs.If you don’t want to use subscription games, you can use PS Remote Play which grants you access to any digital games in your PSN library, or any games with a disc in your PS4/5. Setup was again simple, you login to your PSN account on both the Backbone and your PS. Then you open the PS Remote Play app on your iPhone and it will search and remember your PS and find it anywhere on the internet later. Once connected, the quality and lack of latency is stunning as the phone and console are almost perfectly in sync by just a few frames. If you were in a different room I’m not sure if you would even notice any latency.Build quality is excellent on the Backbone and the white look and clear number and dpad caps match the PS5 DualSense controller aesthetic almost perfectly. The haptic feedback is great but obviously not as good as the best in industry DualSense. Some additional cool features is that the phone connects directly using lightning port so it connects quickly with minimal latency. You can also connect a lightning cable to the Backbone for pass through power while gaming so you can minimize battery drain while gaming during longer sessions. You can also connect wireless BT headsets to your phone but you can also use 3.5mm mini Jack headsets to the Backbone.In terms of PS Remote Play, it takes about 60 seconds to remotely connect to and start playing games from your PS5. Your PS5 must be on standby mode, connected to the internet, and have the game disc of the installed game you want to play. If you have a digital copy that will work too. All buttons for all games are mapped natively and perfectly without additional confit.A few things of note:1. It’s rumored iPhone 14 or 15 will switch to USB-C which will necessitate a Backbone v2.2. The Backbone will NOT work with a case so make sure you are willing to take your case off each time you use it.3. The $55/yr subscription can be cancelled but is not optional for initial setup of Backbone app, which is annoying.I’ve really enjoyed the Backbone, it helped me get through a recent unexpected hospital stay which is quite possibly the most boring place on the planet.
| Form Factor | No |
| Connection | Lightning |
| Model Identifier | No |
| Manufacturer P/N | BB-02-B-X |
