Back in 2020, the smartphone controller market was changed forever with the release of the Backbone One. While it wasn't the first on the market using a Nintendo Switch-like design to house the iPhone in a more gaming-friendly form, it is certainly the biggest.
However, since its debut almost four years ago, there's no doubt that plenty of competitors have attempted to dethrone Backbone One, including rivals like the Gamesir G8 Galileo. We've decided to review the Backbone One in 2024, to see whether the peripheral is just as valuable as when it first released.
The Backbone One comes in two colours, with two different versions. The standard Backbone One is a dark grey, while the PlayStation version pairs well the PS5's DualSense - a sleek white with ghostly plastic for the face buttons and directional pad. The second generation version is the main one now, with V1 only being sold for those on iPhone 14's or older that still have Lightning connections.
I received the PlayStation edition, which is arguably the better of the two. I love the sleek colour scheme that is bold, but pairs well with pretty much any iPhone colour. There's no difference, at least in functionality, between the two, but I think PlayStation's premium DualSense design pairs well with Apple's expensive smartphone offering.
Despite the PlayStation licence, the Backbone One's PlayStation model delivers off-angle thumb sticks, similar to that of the standard Backbone, and what you'd expect from an Xbox controller. I definitely prefer the Xbox controller layout over the PlayStation, with it feeling more comfortable to use.
It certainly feels premium overall too. The clamp certainly feels strong and secure to pull back, fitting an iPhone 15 Pro Max in with ease. It's almost too strong, requiring quite a bit of force to pull into place, which is why I hope that Backbone adapts the Gamesir G8's adjustable USB-C for future Backbone models. Maybe the Backbone Two, perhaps?
Some buttons will look unfamiliar to gamers, and that's because the Backbone One comes with a few tricks up its sleeve. Not only does it feature a headphone jack (see, Apple? People still want them), as well as a USB-C port for charging your phone while using the controller, but the bright orange Backbone logo launches the Backbone One app, a great bit of software that makes it easy to launch your favourite games or find new ones. There's also a button for screenshotting or recording your in-game clips, as well as the general "start" and "select" buttons.
The Backbone One is fairly small, making it perfect for portability, whether you're shoving it in your rucksack or pairing it with the Backbone One carrying case. Holding it for a while does feel a bit uncomfortable at times, as the Switch-like design and size makes it difficult to wield for larger hands. Well, pretty much average adult hands in general. This is where the Gamesir G8 wins a point, thanks to the gamer-focused controller, but Gamesir's offering lacks the portability of the Backbone.
I played a variety of games with the Backbone One, including Call of Duty Mobile, Dead Cells, and the occasional PS Remote Play. While the PlayStation Portal is certainly the better way to play PS Remote Play instead of attempting to turn your phone into the best gaming handheld, the Backbone One is still a good experience. And, it has the bonus of not being a proprietary and limiting device too, so that's a bonus.
All of the buttons feel extremely responsive, giving some great feedback upon each press and feeling tactile and smooth. I'm not a huge fan of the flat-design of the face buttons, as I much prefer rounded buttons like on the PDP Victrix Pro BFG. However, they still felt great to click, and the thumb sticks, while small in size, feels great to play with.
This leads us onto the Backbone app, and the optional Backbone+ subscription service. There's no doubt that the Backbone app is useful, giving you a plethora of options upon booting it up, and it's much better than the useless, outdated, and buggy apps from other companies (looking at you, Gamesir). But, while it isn't essential, an incredibly intuitive game launcher shouldn't be locked behind a paywall. And, while Gamesir G8's Android app lets you map touch screen-only games to let you play with the controller, Backbone's version of this is locked behind Backbone+. I really think the pricing needs to be changed a lot, or completely removed in favour of letting people have consistent access after paying out on the Backbone One itself.
At the very least, you get one year of Backbone+ included with your purchase. And, it does come with some nifty little freebies, like Discord Nitro trials or gifts for Diablo Immortal.
That being said, the Backbone One is easily one of the best phone controllers on the market. The PlayStation edition looks sleek and pairs nicely with the iPhone's iconic aesthetic, while the portable design makes it easier to travel and play on-the-go with. Unfortunately, it can feel slightly uncomfortable during long game sessions, and Backbone+ is pretty terrible value, but the controller itself is one of the most premium accessories on the market. And, one that you should pick up.
