Hitting the bright orange button on the controller takes you to the Backbone app. The hardware is exceptional, but the Backbone One goes much further than just hardware. A rare feature, it allows you to hook up your wired gaming headset to the Backbone One for improved voice chat in compatible games. There are rear bumpers, analogue sticks, face buttons and even separate pause and options buttons, along with a few extras including a dedicated screenshot button and even a headphone jack. The Lightning-connected controller is ergonomically shaped for added comfort, and offers all the bells and whistles you’d expect. The Backbone One is the ultimate mobile controller – as long as you’ve got an iPhone, anyway. It’s also compact when not in use, making it easy to throw into a jacket pocket for use on long train journeys. There’s even a USB-C port for passthrough, allowing you to keep your phone topped up during longer gaming sessions.
That’s the main appeal of the Kishi: while most controllers rely on Bluetooth connectivity, the Kishi is connected directly to the phone, not only negating the need to charge the controller, but also improving response time in mobile shooters like Call of Duty Mobile, and the difference is noticeable.Įlsewhere, the controller is well-built, featuring a complete set of triggers, shoulder buttons, AXBY buttons, a D-Pad and navigation buttons alongside dual clickable analogue sticks. The Kishi essentially turns your smartphone into a Nintendo Switch with controls to the left and right of your smartphone display, clamping snuggly into place, with support for a range of smartphones – as long as they sport USB-C or Lightning connectivity.
The Razer Kishi is the ideal controller for most, designed for use with iOS and Android in mind. Best controller for iPhone and Android 2021 So, if you’re ready to take your mobile gaming to the next level, take a look at our selection of the best game controllers for iOS and Android smartphones available right now. That’s where third-party controllers come into play.Īndroid users have been able to use a range of Bluetooth controllers for some time, and while iOS users were initially limited to (usually expensive) MFI controllers, Apple opened up support for standard Bluetooth controllers with the release of iOS 13. That’s all welcome news, but let’s be honest, touchscreen controls can be frustrating – especially when it comes to fast-paced shooters like Call of Duty where split-second response times are the difference between virtual life and death.
While mobile games were once limited to the likes of Candy Crush and Angry Birds, the mobile gaming scene has truly taken off in recent years with AAA game releases like PUBG Mobile, Call of Duty Mobile and Fortnite.Įven better, with the release of cloud gaming services like Nvidia GeForce Now and Xbox Cloud Gaming, you can play PC and console games on your smartphone. It has been a great few years in the world of mobile gaming.