If you’re thinking about buying the Backbone One for your mobile phone, then you definitely need to read this article. We’ll be taking a look at its hardware, software, and how it works with phones with cases. You can watch a video about this article here https://youtu.be/dIZIG2e2VZ0

Backbone One: PlayStation Edition

I’m using the Backbone One PlayStation Edition, which features markings similar to a PlayStation controller and a matching color scheme. Backbone offers different versions of the Backbone One. The PlayStation Edition comes in a Lightning version for older iPhones or a USB-C version. There’s also a standard edition with X, A, Y, and B buttons, available in both Lightning and USB-C ports. No matter which edition you choose, you’re going to spend about $100 for it.

Hardware Overview

In terms of hardware, the Backbone One has a very refined and premium feel. The transparent buttons with the X, O, square, and triangle printed within them, the D-pad with arrows underneath the transparent plastic layer, and the PlayStation logo that reveals itself once you expand the controller all contribute to this premium experience.

I’m not an expert on plastic, but the Backbone didn’t feel cheap like some other controllers. It felt like it would last a while, and all the components felt well assembled without any loose parts or gaps indicating a lack of attention to detail. The build quality made me feel good about my purchase, even though it was more expensive than other controllers.

Joystick and Button Performance

I searched Backbone’s website to determine what type of joysticks were on the Backbone One and if they were Hall Effect. I didn’t find any information confirming they were, so I’m assuming they are just standard joysticks. A teardown on iFixit for the previous Lightning version of the Backbone One stated the triggers had Hall Effect sensors.

The USB-C port is on the right side of the controller, so when you connect a Samsung foldable phone, most of the screen will be towards the bottom of the controller. This didn’t affect my gameplay at all; it just felt awkward at first, but I eventually got used to it. The weight distribution towards my hands was a plus, making the combination less top-heavy.

Control Comfort and Effectiveness

I was initially skeptical about the effectiveness and comfort of the Backbone’s controls due to their small size, especially considering I was used to larger controllers. However, I was pleasantly surprised. The analog sticks, though tiny, offered a good range of motion and a smooth, responsive feel. The face buttons are well-spaced and have a satisfying click. The top triggers felt a bit light but were responsive. The D-pad wasn’t always as quick as I wanted, but it allowed me to pull off some combos while playing fighting games.

Connectivity and Case Compatibility

The Backbone One has a USB-C port on the bottom right, allowing you to charge your phone without removing it from the controller. There’s also a headphone jack on the bottom left. A screen capture button on the left and the Backbone button on the right take you directly into the app.

I hate having to take my phone out of its case to connect it to a controller. Fortunately, the Backbone controller comes with plastic inserts that can be removed. The inserts, held in place by strong magnets, work in combination with a static cover to hold your phone securely.

I tried connecting the Backbone One to several different phones with cases. Here’s what I found:

• Samsung Z Fold 4 with a generic slim case: The smaller inserts allowed the Fold 4 to fit securely within the controller.
• iPhone 15 Pro Max with a Taurus case: The smaller inserts allowed the Backbone to wrap around the phone nicely.
• Google Pixel 6 with a Spigen case: The smaller inserts allowed the Backbone to fit along the lower portion of the Pixel 6 near the USB-C port, but it wouldn’t fit around the top portion near the camera bump. By removing the top insert, the Backbone fit securely.

Ergonomics

The ergonomics of the Backbone are adequate. You won’t be able to get a full grip around it unless you have tiny hands, but the grip and controls are far better than using the touchscreen. I would compare them to using the Nintendo Switch’s Joy-Cons. Speaking of which, the combination of the iPhone 15 Pro Max and the Backbone is about the same size as the Nintendo Switch, although smaller than the Asus ROG Ally.

The Backbone with the iPhone 15 Pro Max and the case attached weighs about 433 grams. Compare that to the Nintendo Switch, which weighs 437 grams, and the Asus ROG Ally, which weighs 631 grams. Without a phone attached, the Backbone weighs about 146 grams. Its compact size and lightweight design make it convenient to toss into your backpack and carry around. Backbone also sells a travel case for the controller.

Using the Backbone Controller

Using the Backbone controller was simple. I connected the Samsung Galaxy Fold and started up Call of Duty. I received a pop-up stating it didn’t recognize the controller and gave me the option to select from several controllers, including the Backbone. I selected the Backbone and started Call of Duty Mobile without installing the Backbone app. I was able to start playing out of the box.

Here are some other games I played with the Backbone out of the box without downloading the app:

• Call of Duty Mobile
• Genshin Impact
• Minecraft

However, it didn’t work for every game. I wasn’t able to play Honkai Star Rail with the Backbone controller. I also tried using the Backbone One with a couple of different emulators. The first was Delta, and the Backbone One didn’t have any problems running the games I played on it. Once I connected my phone, Delta’s on-screen controls disappeared, and the Backbone took over. It also worked with games from Google Play, although there were a few that didn’t work with the controller.

The Backbone App

While I typically don’t use mobile phone controller apps, I really liked the one from Backbone. The app is well-organized and beautifully designed. The background wallpaper changes as you scroll through games and apps, and the menu is organized into horizontal columns that you can scroll through vertically.

There are categories like What’s New, Ways to Play (which includes apps like PS Remote Play, Xbox Cloud Gaming, and Steam Link), and various game genres like Free to Play, Action, Adventure, Fighting, Indies, and Strategy. The menu option in the top left corner or the bottom right allows you to access system settings, find friends, or start a party. You can also find your user information, subscription info, and notifications under the Account tab.

Under the Controller tab, you can find information about your controller. Here, you’ll also find that you have to subscribe to the Backbone app to unlock features like Play on Any Screen or Touch Sync. However, you can calibrate and test your controller without subscribing. The Preferences tab allows you to enable haptic feedback, autoplay videos on the home screen, and toggle app interaction sounds on or off.

Backbone charges $39.99 a year for the full use of their app, which seems like a lot for a phone controller. However, when you break it down, it’s about $3.33 a month. Overall, I found the Backbone app to be functional and visually appealing. Despite the subscription requirement, it has an average rating of 4.7 stars, although there are some detractors.

Final Thoughts: Should You Buy the Backbone One Controller?

Combining any smartphone with the Backbone controller creates a handheld gaming system that’s just as fun to play as any other handheld I own. If price is your main concern, there are cheaper options out there, like the GameSir X2, which I’ve also reviewed. However, if you’re willing to pay more and want something that’s ready to play out of the box, the Backbone One is probably the better choice.