Ergonomics and Weight
Weight: On my kitchen scale, the controller weighs 141 grams, making it slightly heavier than a bar of chocolate and lighter than the standard PS5 controller (282 grams). However, when gaming, the weight of the phone adds to this. Depending on the model, that’s an additional 150 – 250 grams.
I don’t find that unpleasant; the combination still weighs less than my Switch or my Steam Deck.
Ergonomics: I personally find the grips of the controller very comfortable to hold. They are rounded at the bottom, allowing them to fit well in the hands. I quite like that. In direct comparison, the Nintendo Switch feels a bit bulkier.
The ergonomics of the DualSense controller are still more comfortable because the grips are spaced further apart, better replicating a normal grip than the Backbone One.
In combination with my Galaxy Note 10+, I do not find the Backbone too heavy or bulky.
Backbone One in Practice
How does it play? In my test, I played several games with the Backbone One and my phone (Galaxy Note 10+) via “PS Remote”. The following mainly concerns the controller, not the setup of “PS Remote”, which has been an adventure in itself.
- The symbol buttons on the controller feel very “clicky” and precise but are also clearly audible.
- The thumbsticks also give me precise feedback, and I can control my characters seamlessly through the games.
- The D-pad feels a bit mushy, so I prefer the more precise thumbsticks.
- The upper triggers (L1 and R1) feel nice and crisp, while the back triggers (L2 and R2) feel a bit too soft. They press down too easily, which I particularly notice with shooters like Deathloop.
- Racing games like the PlayStation-exclusive “Wipeout” play surprisingly fast, but with the right DualSense, I can finely tune my movements even more.
Conclusion: Good Controller with Weak Software
Who is the Backbone One suitable for? Basically, you get a well-constructed device with PlayStation design for mobile gaming and streaming. The device feels good in hand, and the buttons provide a nice clicky feedback. However, I find the software rather disappointing and off-putting. The mandatory registration is particularly annoying.
If you want to stream PS5 games to your phone and don’t have space to place your phone, then the Backbone One may be worthwhile. Alternatively, you can also connect your DualSense to your phone via Bluetooth. However, this also requires more space.
| Preview | Product | Rating | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
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BACKBONE One Mobiler Gaming-Controller für das Android & iPhone 15 Series (USB-C) - PlayStation... | Zu Amazon |
*Affiliate-Links. Wir erhalten bei einem Kauf eine kleine Provision von Amazon. Vielen Dank für Eure Unterstützung!
What alternatives are there? If you are looking for controllers with PlayStation design, the selection is quite small. However, if the layout doesn’t matter to you, you can find plenty of good alternatives:
- The Razer Kishi for Android and iOS offers good build quality and comfortable ergonomics. However, the software is also a weakness. There is now a 2nd version available, but it costs more.
- The GameSir X2 (Pro) is also a good alternative but relies on the Xbox design. However, its layout is very similar to that of the Backbone.
You can find more good mobile controllers for Android and iOS in MeinMMO’s purchasing guide:
The best controllers for mobile that you can buy in 2023
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