Backbone One 2nd general assessment: modern improvements to a traditional phone controller

Backbone One review – case friendly and ergonomic
Backbone One has refined its iPhone controller to be more ergonomic and with magnetic adapters. But the competition is fierce making it difficult to sell. I love Backbone One’s minimal design and portability. I used to use the Lightning version until USB-C phones took over. In 2020, I was impressed by the first Backbone One. It was a great entry in a market that had seemed to be fading. Backbone is facing a much more intense competition today from companies such as Gamesir, Gamevice and Razer. Despite the increased competition, Backbone One strikes a good balance between size and features. The Backbone app has a great design and is executed better than other apps. I’m happy to have the second-generation Backbone One. However, it may have been too safe for this price. Here’s a breakdown of the features. Backbone One is the smallest, most portable option among the popular options. Some competitors offer the option to collapse the controller into a square shape. However, these are so large that they don’t really save space. Backbone One review – a compact gaming device with a familiar interfaceBackbone One is so small that I often carry it in my jacket or back pocket. Its size is its biggest strength. As soon as the iPhone 15 switched to USB-C exclusively, accessory makers had to act fast. Backbone One, and other similar products, already had Android versions. But Backbone went one step further and released an improved version of the second generation in Lightning USB-C in 2024. Backbone kept things simple, unlike some manufacturers who chase flashy lights and radical designs. The new model looks almost identical but the edges are smoother and the grip is more comfortable. The D-pad is redesigned but the buttons are the same. The new adapter system makes the iPhone feel more stable when inserted. Customers can choose from a black colorway that has Xbox-like A B X Y buttons or a white version with PlayStation insignia. A new carrying case is also available in black or white. Magnetic adapters to fit One of the biggest issues with game controller grips such as the Backbone One is the exact design. The controller makers designed devices that fit iPhones or smartphones of similar size with very little room for error. Backbone One review – small and medium cases fit wellIt was expected that users would have to remove their case to use the controller. This has been somewhat mitigated. The Gamevice Flex I tested had plenty of room in the grips to accommodate a case up to a considerable thickness. It also included adapters for better gripping thinner cases or the actual phone. Backbone One did the same thing, but on a smaller level. The controller is empty and at its widest setting. I don’t have any cases that are incredibly thick, like an Otterbox defender, but I know they wouldn’t fit. All the cases that I tested, including those from Pitaka, Nomad and Shiftcam could fit into the Backbone One. The Spigen Bondi Blue iMac G3 Special Edition, which looks like a Bondi Blue iMac G3, did not fit. This was not because it was too thick, but because the port could not reach the connector. Backbone One review – more stability with magnetic insertsThere are small and large magnetic adapters included. The large adapter would be used if you were to go caseless on your iPhone. This adapter is so precise that not even my Nomad leather magnet skin would fit. The small adapter fits all small and medium-sized cases. The thickness of the iPhone should be minimal, adding almost nothing. The lack of adapters allows many cases of average size to fit. It is now solely dependent on the thickness of the back of the case, and the rim around the USB-C port. Backbone One will not work with thick, protective cases. The Gamevice Flex, for example, can accommodate thicker cases but not by much. This means that the controller is also thicker. The magnetic inserts were a great idea. The magnetic inserts are a clever idea. You only have to choose one at a time, and then you can just slide your phone in. Backbone One Review — Features The Backbone One’s features haven’t changed much. It still has the face buttons, shoulder button, and app launcher. Backbone One review – USB-C to Mac or iPadThe rear spring feels more solid, but this may be a placebo. The iPhone feels more secure and sturdy in the grips. The four buttons at the bottom of the controllers have been mapped according to system functions. In some multiplayer games, the ellipsis can be used to mute or select the microphone. The button with a squared opening is a screenshot button or screen recording button. By pressing and holding the screenshot button, the image is saved to your photo gallery. The screen recording feature is a bit odd and defaults to the same settings as I described in my original review. Users can now change this function in the Backbone app controller settings. It starts recording when a button is pressed and stops recording when another button is pressed. Backbone One review – dedicated app launcher buttonThe recording will be saved in a folder within the Backbone app, where the user can then share the video with others or save it into their photo library. The highlight feature is still available, which allows the video to be uploaded and shared using a link. Since the Backbone One uses the system screen recording feature, any notification, or other activity, that is displayed on the display, will appear in the video. The hamburger button on the right controller is used to access menus and options in most apps. The orange Backbone button is the last one, and it almost always launches the Backbone application. When you hold down the PS button, the Playstation Remote Play App will launch the Backbone app. It is bold to have a shortcut for the Backbone app in the controller. It means that the Backbone app must earn this premium location, particularly one that is sometimes accidentally pressed because of its proximity to joystick. Backbone software and app The Backbone application remains central to the controller’s experience, even though other iPhone controller manufacturers have taken a similarly oriented approach. I’m not a fan of turning an utility like a launcher for games into a social network client, but some users seem to love it. Backbone One review – manage button options and recorded video in the appYou can ignore the social aspect and just launch a single game. By doing this, you eliminate 80% of app functionality. Backbone has a different approach to a company such as PlayStation. The top menu of the PS5 is dedicated to launching games with submenus for social and discovery. The top row of recently played games is the only part I use. The next row is auto-playing video, ads for other platforms and games, and social options. Backbone One review – ‘Assassin’s creed’ recognizes controllerWhile it might not appeal to me personally, it could be useful for others. You can also ignore everything, even the app itself. Just play games. My problems with the app that I mentioned in my first review are still present, but they have been somewhat lessened. Apple’s Focus Modes allow me to design my Home Screen game launchers and screen recording can automatically activate Do Not Disturb by using a shortcut. The Backbone+ subscription allows for higher-resolution video uploads and screen captures, as well as the game hub features mentioned above. If you bought the original Backbone before it launched, you won’t be charged. Otherwise, the service costs up to $49 a year on top of the controller’s already high price. Backbone One is the pinnacle of portable gaming. It’s ergonomic and well-designed despite being smaller than competitors. Backbone One review – an expensive but optimal iPhone controllerHowever its high price and subscription services will likely push customers towards lower-priced options. Backbone One is a good investment for the moment, but the next version will need to offer more features to maintain its price. The controller can be used to control a variety of devices via a cable. It is small enough to fit into a pocket or bag without being too bulky. Backbone One Review — pros Compact and Portable
Ergonomic design and familiarity
Sized for moderate cases
Dedicated app with a game launcher…
Backbone One review – cons… the app should focus more on launching social games than social
Backbone+ is an add-on to a controller that costs a lot.
There is very little innovation in the competitive space
Rating: 4 out 5 The original Backbone One received a 4.5 and this one received a 4. This is not to say that the new model is inferior, but the competition has a better product. Backbone must consider how to improve the controller in order to justify the $100 price tag going forward. Backbone+ feels like a drag for the brand, since customers expect these features to be included and not paid add-ons. Backbone One can be purchased on Backbone’s site for $99.99. You can also purchase it from Amazon for $99.99.